An Escape Room is a live event venue in which guests become a part of the show. They work together to explore, solve puzzles, and engage gamemasters to "escape" or accomplish their "mission". According to the Room Escape Artists 2020 report, there are over 2,200 Escape Rooms in the United States of America.

     During the Covid-19 pandemic, Escape Rooms were included alongside nonessential entertainment establishments when determining their ability to operate.
     This left many small business owners unable to sell tickets to support their venue. Many were forced to close their doors due to the financial impact. Some still teeter on the brink of closing as they try to find ways to pay back months of overdue bills. And others wonder if all their efforts to stay open are futile with the Delta variant threatening another shutdown. The pandemic hit us HARD.

Escape Room owners found hope a few months ago with the announcement of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant.

The following information can be found at
(https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/shuttered-venue-operators-grant)

"The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act. The program includes over $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligible entities include:
-  Live venue operators or promoters
-  Theatrical producers
-  Live performing arts organization operators
-  Museum operators
-  Motion picture theater operators (including owners)
-  Talent representatives                                                           "

However, it's been said that Escape Rooms will NOT be eligible for this grant. But Escape Rooms SHOULD be considered!  

- Escape Rooms sell tickets (60+ days in advance)
- Escape Rooms have Audio/Video Equipment 
- Escape Rooms organize, promote, produce, manage, or host theatrical productions/events by performing artists
- Escape Room staff manage the sets, take bookings, and operate AV Equipment
- Escape Room revenue is over 70%+ ticket sales
- Escape Rooms offer a defined space for the audience/actor experience

Escape Rooms should not be denied as a consequence of being a niche industry.
We know that Escape Room venues operate well within the spirit of this grant.
We ask for economic justice and equal opportunity for our industry in considering our applications to the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant.