Save Our Granite Stages (SOGS) Round 2 will provide grants to nonprofit and for-profit New Hampshire performing arts venues that seat 1500 or less and performing arts production entities that produce in such venues. Venues and production entities that received initial Shuttered Venue Operator Grants (SVOG) are also eligible. This funding category recognizes that the Granite State’s performing arts venues are among the hardest hit businesses in the COVID-19 pandemic. These cultural hubs are critical to local economies and tax bases as employers, tourism destinations, and revenue generators for neighboring businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and retail. 

Venues and production entities may apply for unrestricted operating support in the amount of up to 70% of the organization’s COVID-19-related earned revenue losses from March 3, 2021 – December 31, 2021 (as compared to the same period in 2019) that were not covered by other state or federal funding disbursed in 2021.

Revenue losses may be related to the following:

• Reduced ticket sales and venue rentals due to pandemic-related closures, artist/show cancellations, social distancing, and audience reluctance
• Increased personnel costs due to staffing shortages, resulting in overtime for existing staff
• Increased facilities costs, including capital costs to upgrade venue ventilation systems, installation of hands-free restroom devices, repairs due to long-term venue closure, etc.
• Increased health and safety costs, including PPE, cleaning, etc.
• Increased marketing and promotion costs due to rescheduled and/or cancelled performances and/or campaigns to encourage audiences to return

• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)