2026 Women Of Live: Cat Henry

Cat Henry
Live Music Society | Executive Director

HOW TO ACHIEVE WORK-LIFE BALANCE | “I roller skate a lot (shout out to Xanadu in Brooklyn, and I dance like mad at every opportunity.”

As executive director of the Live Music Society, Cat Henry oversees the nonprofit’s mission of supporting small venues across the U.S. Since 2020, LMS has awarded more than $5 million in grants. Here, Henry discussed the foundation’s recent successes:

“We continue to award around $1 million annually to small venues through our Music in Action and Toolbox grant programs. Music in Action provides project-based support for venues to test new ideas, expand audiences through intentional programming and strengthen their communities through direct engagement; while the Toolbox grant focuses on practical operational needs such as equipment, infrastructure improvements, and other core investments that help venues operate sustainably and positively impact artists, workers and fans.

“In 2025, we also expanded our reach through One Night Live, a touring initiative in collaboration with D-Tour Live and artist support organizations including Salt Lick Incubator, Cleveland Rocks and Midtopia. We recognize that presenting new talent is core to the mission of many small venues but it is so hard to take risks in the post-pandemic economic climate. However, small venues continue to be essential to working musicians’ careers and a pipeline for the commercial music industry. By touring venues 300-cap and under, artists understand whether they have what it takes to build a following. By offsetting the venue’s fixed costs and providing artists with support, we are making it possible for emerging talent to tour our growing venue network.
In February, we brought venue leaders together in Boulder, Colorado, for our second national Music in Action Summit, convening current and past Music in Action grantees from across the country alongside thought leaders in the industry. The Summit created space for decision-makers to share ideas, compare strategies, and address the economic and operational challenges they face in their own markets. Expanding our ability to convene grantees nationally has been an important step forward, strengthening peer relationships and reinforcing shared learning.

“Taken together, I’m proud that this work reflects our core mission: to invest in the long-term sustainability of small venues and ensure they remain vital cultural spaces in their communities.”