Few independent concert venues in the United States were in better shape to survive 18 months without revenue than First Avenue. And yet, Minneapolis' most iconic performance space teetered on going black.
That's how Dayna Frank knew things had to be incredibly tough all over.
"People took it for granted there would always be a live music venue on the corner of 1st Avenue and 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis," the owner of First Avenue Productions said with an intense shudder. "All of a sudden, there was a very real possibility that would no longer be the case.
"And if First Avenue was in danger — with all its history and assets and support from the community — then so many smaller venues didn't stand a chance."
It's what Frank did for all the others, as president of the National Independent Venues Association (NIVA), that earned her designation as the Star Tribune's Arts Person of the Year. That, and her First Ave team led the way in making live performances safer for Twin Cities audiences in 2021.
Chosen by our arts and entertainment writers and editors, the annual honor has been altered from the usual "Artist of the Year" wording since Frank is not an artist. Not unless you consider lobbying Washington, D.C., or home-schooling two grade-school boys through the pandemic to be an art (they certainly are in her newfound experience!).
Nonetheless, it's hard to think of any person who had a greater impact on the Minnesota arts scene in 2021 — including all facets of the performing arts, not just music.
With the 42-year-old Frank as its president, NIVA quickly cobbled together a coalition of independent venue owners, promoters, performers and music and theater fans to pressure Congress in passing a relief bill at the end of 2020.