The COVID19 relief bill includes a class of grants for operators of “shuttered venues.” Such entities are defined as “a live venue operator or promoter, theatrical producer, or live performing arts organization operator, a relevant museum operator, a motion picture theatre operator, or a talent representative…” Wait now, what? We have a teensy problem with this right off the bat. Talent representatives (which we guess means agents) are eligible for these grants? What, exactly, “shuttered venue” are they operating? We’re guessing whoever lobbies for talent representatives just earned a hefty year-end bonus!

The organizations eligible for these grants must have been in business at the end of February 2019, be able to show at least a 25 percent loss of income, and state they are intending to stay in business going forward.

The rules about these grants go on for 29 pages in the bill. Without delving into details, we’re just glad to see there is a required certification of need, “An eligible person or entity applying for a grant under this section shall submit a good faith certification that the uncertainty of current economic conditions makes necessary the grant to support the ongoing operations of the eligible person or entity.”

We won’t make light of the need for grants to keep the arts community in business. But we will continue to question the need for “talent representatives” to get a piece of this pie.