From listening to many of you in recent weeks, I know that this time we are living through is one that makes extraordinary demands on your organizations and poses leadership challenges never before faced. Musicians and staff are experiencing painful layoffs and salary cuts, and there is simply no way to sugarcoat this. – Jesse Rosen
SBA Issues PPP Flexibility Rules! Reminder: Loan Application Deadline June 30; Arts Education Is Essential – Take Local Action; SBA Re-Opens Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program for New Applicants; Nonprofit Main Street Lending Program Proposed
Late last month, the League joined a group of more than 50 national organizations that collaborated to issue a statement of support for arts education particularly in the context of COVID-19.
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has awarded 41 direct grants to orchestral projects through its FY20 Art Works Part 2 grant category, totaling $867,000 in funding, as well almost two dozen grants to related projects. In all, the Endowment awarded more than 1,000 grants totaling $25,334,900 through Art Works Part 2, as well as $3.643 million in Our Town awards and $780,000 in research grants.
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Approved by Congress; PPP Loan Forgiveness Guidelines Released; League Conference PPP Session Tomorrow, June 5
Our colleagues of color—and many communities served by the orchestras we represent—are living with deep pain and fear, subjected to the threat of police violence, to the risks inherent in serving as essential workers in a time of crisis, and to ongoing oppression in a society scarred by racism. There is an urgent need for White people and predominantly White organizations to do the work of uprooting this racism.
Congress is working on its fourth package of federal relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be making decisions about policies that will affect orchestras, musicians, and the communities they serve.
Thank You: Ongoing Advocacy is Essential; House Action Marks Start of Weeks of Negotiations Ahead; Bi-Partisan Support Grows for Nonprofit Sector Relief; Paycheck Protection Program Update
As Congress re-groups on next steps in crafting a package of new and renewed COVID-19 relief programs, a dizzying array of details on existing programs has been announced in the past week.
Federal emergency funding provided in the CARES Act is now available to states through block grants and emergency relief resources intended to support the new costs of adapting to learning needs amid the COVID-19 crisis. Funds are primarily targeted to Title I schools, and state and local education policy leaders are given opportunities to choose how to direct these COVID-19 relief resources.