About Us - Washington Nightlife & Music Association

Mission Statement:

Washington Nightlife Music Association (WANMA) is a trade organization for live music, performance and nightlife venue stakeholders, providing education, safety training, support, economic development, lobbying, and diversity and inclusion efforts for its members.

WANMA: Strengthening Washington’s Music Industry

Introduction
The Washington Nightlife and Music Association (WANMA) has become a driving force in supporting Washington’s music ecosystem. Born out of necessity during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, WANMA emerged as a beacon of hope for independent music venues, industry professionals, and workers, addressing critical challenges during an unprecedented crisis.

A Pandemic-Era Initiative That Made a Difference
During the pandemic, WANMA focused on saving Washington’s independent music scene. As venues, festivals, and performance spaces shuttered, WANMA formed Keep Music Live Washington, a coalition that raised over $1 million in relief funds to support struggling venues statewide. The group also championed the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) Save Our Stages campaign, which successfully secured federal aid to help venues survive and reopen in 2022.

Advocating for Long-Term Music Industry Support
Despite the immediate successes of pandemic-era initiatives, WANMA recognized the music industry’s ongoing need for advocacy, representation, and structural support. However, as a volunteer-run organization, WANMA faced challenges in sustaining its efforts while its members navigated the post-pandemic recovery themselves.

Formalizing Efforts with State and Local Support
In 2023, WANMA took a significant step forward by applying to the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Innovative Clusters Acceleration Program (ICAP). This program aimed to empower industries like Washington’s independent music sector, which lacked organized advocacy and had received limited institutional support.

Through ICAP workshops, WANMA collaborated with music professionals to identify key industry challenges and set priorities for future action. This foundational work paved the way for WANMA to formalize its role as an essential voice for Washington’s music industry.

Milestones in 2024: Funding and Growth
In late 2024, WANMA achieved a major milestone by securing its first grant through ICAP. Additional funding from the City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development followed shortly after. These funds enabled WANMA to launch:

Washington’s First Statewide Music Census: A comprehensive effort to gather data on the state’s music ecosystem.
Capacity-Building Initiatives: WANMA hired specialists to strengthen its organizational structure and better serve Washington’s nightlife and music community.

Why WANMA Matters for Washington’s Music Industry
With its new resources and formalized strategy, WANMA is now positioned as Washington’s first trade organization dedicated to the music and nightlife sectors. Its efforts are vital in:

Advocating for Independent Venues: Ensuring long-term sustainability for performance spaces.
Supporting Industry Workers: Representing the voices of musicians, technicians, and other stakeholders.
Driving Economic Growth: Solidifying the music industry’s role as a cornerstone of Washington’s creative economy.

Looking Ahead
As WANMA continues to grow, its mission remains clear: to champion Washington’s music and nightlife ecosystem by advocating for its needs, fostering collaboration, and driving innovative solutions.