Syracuse, N.Y. — Westcott Theater owner Dan Mastronardi stood under the venue’s marquee Thursday and offered this observation:

“Our industry was one of the first to close and will be one of the last to reopen,” he said, echoing similar remarks made by U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer moments before.

Schumer came to the Westcott Street music venue Thursday to urge support for a federal bill that would create a $10 billion aid program for the live entertainment industry, which has been shut down since March due to the coronavirus.

“The arts are vital to a community,” Schumer said, noting both its economic impact and its role in lifting people’s spirits during hard times. He noted, as did Mastronardi, that live entertainment venues remain shut largely because they are places where people gather close together.

The bill, called Save Our Stages, has both Democratic and Republican support. But it’s being held amid ongoing negotiations over what Schumer calls the “big Covid bill” that would provide billions of dollars for such things as enhanced unemployment insurance, new small business loans, school funding, and money for Covid-19 testing, treatment and vaccines.

Supporting Schumer in his call for the Save Our Stages bill were a who’s who of local political and arts leaders.

They included Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, plus Syracuse Common Councilor Joe Driscoll, who is also a musician.

Also on hand were Syracuse Stage artistic director Jill Anderson; Redhouse Arts Center executive director Samara Hannah, and the owners of such independent music venues as the Westcott, the 443 Social Club in Syracuse and the Nelson Odeon near Cazenovia.

All have been forced to close due to the coronavirus and because of state rules limiting the size of gatherings and prohibiting live performances at that are paid for through tickets or cover charges.

Mastronardi noted the hardship that has placed on venues as well as performers, but said he plans to do what he can to help his theater reopen.

“I will not give this up,” he said.

Schumer also mentioned the money he’s trying to add to the Covid bill that would specifically aid states, cities, counties and other governments, who are faced with massive budget cuts and layoffs. That statement earned nods of approval from Walsh and McMahon.

But the focus Thursday was on live entertainment and others arts.

“It’s hard to think of a group seeing a more significant impact for a more significant amount of time than our live entertainment venues,” Walsh said.

Schumer cited statistics showing arts and culture create an annual economic impact of almost $150 million in Onondaga County alone and supports nearly 6,000 jobs.

The bill Schumer is championing would create a $10 billion Small Business Administration program that could provide up to $12 million for venue operators, promoters, talent representatives and others in the industry. The money could be used for any purpose, from rent and utilities to salaries or equipment.

A campaign for the measure, also called Save Our Stages, is encouraging people to contact their legislators in support of the bill.

Many of the entertainment industry representatives at Schumer’s media event are also working actively to convince Gov. Andrew Cuomo to rescind his guidelines that prohibit ticketed or other paid entertainment.

“It’s a hard time for the live entertainment business,” said Julie Leone, co-owner of the 443 Social Club on Burnet Avenue. “We could use all the help we can get.”

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Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.