Side Door, the “any space is a venue” marketplace platform for the arts, has launched BACK TO LIVE with Side Door, a new support program designed to bring live art directly to underserved communities and help first-time hosts get started. The program also helps artists return to the road quickly within a financially sustainable model despite a widespread loss of small-to-medium-sized clubs throughout the United States. Side Door aims to give all artists the opportunity to perform by empowering everyday people to get involved, hosting and curating shows in their own spaces for their communities. Hosts on Side Door represent a diverse range of spaces from backyards and personal property locations, to commercial businesses and community spaces.
Through this subsidy program, hosts in any state can apply for financial support to subsidize eligible costs of a live performance event booked via the platform, including but not limited to music, dance, theatre, comedy, spoken word and lecture. To be eligible, the show must be in-person, public, ticketed with Side Door and take place prior to December 31, 2021. Both new and existing Side Door hosts are eligible for the program.
“As a host myself, I know that there can be a feeling of uncertainty when you begin (or begin again) hosting shows in your space,” says Laura Simpson, CEO and co-founder of Side Door. “We want to de-risk this opportunity for people with great spaces, while opening more doors to artists who are starved for places to perform and enable a robust touring circuit. This program is meant to empower the community and give artists of all backgrounds places to showcase their talents.”
“And as an artist who built my career on these kinds of shows,” co-founder Dan Mangan continues, “I envision a world where shows can be booked in bespoke spaces anywhere in the world between perfect strangers in minutes. Playing impactful shows to intimate and attentive audiences in non-traditional spaces allowed me to build a loyal audience and make a living. Until you can sell hundreds of tickets in any city, it’s just the most artistically and financially viable way to tour.”
A wide array of hosts are eligible to apply – live music venues, commercial spaces, private, outdoor spaces, businesses, community spaces, residential and more – for up to $500 of support. While artists are not eligible, they should encourage their hosts to apply for funding.
For more information about hosting a Side Door show, visit sidedooraccess.com.
