Paid Leave Provisions Included in Bipartisan Federal COVID-19 Relief Package
Orchestras have joined the broader arts and nonprofit sectors in speaking up out of concern for their workforce in the wake of COVID-19 closures and concert cancellations.
A Letter from the League President and CEO to Members Regarding the COVID-19 Crisis, March 2020
Dear Colleague, Like all of you, the League of American Orchestras is wrestling with tough decisions as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold. While there are no easy answers, there are lots of opportunities for sound judgment rooted in shared values and strong cultures.We are hearing a common thread from orchestras in communities of all …
COVID-19, Concert Cancellations, and Congressional Action
Community by community, the impact of COVID-19 is variable and rapidly changing. As Congress and the Administration consider new forms of federal economic assistance that may be targeted or widespread, orchestras can join others in the arts and nonprofit sectors that are speaking up to ensure that relief will meet all community needs.
Federal budget repeats recent history, proposing elimination of NEA
With bipartisan support from Congress, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) received an increase for fiscal year 2020 for a total funding level of $162.25 million, while the Assistance for Arts Education (AAE) program fund at the U.S. Department of Education actually received a $1 million increase for a total funding level of $30 million.
Federal budget repeats recent history, proposing elimination of NEA
With bipartisan support from Congress, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) received an increase for fiscal year 2020 for a total funding level of $162.25 million, while the Assistance for Arts Education (AAE) program fund at the U.S. Department of Education actually received a $1 million increase for a total funding level of $30 million.
Did your orchestra pay taxes on transportation benefits? Refunds now available!
The 21% Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) on parking and commuting benefits that was created by comprehensive tax reform signed into law in December 2017 has now been retroactively repealed.
Reminder! IRA Rollover is a key giving incentive
Many orchestras have received significant new contributions since the IRA Charitable Rollover provision was made permanent in 2015, allowing individuals age 70-1/2 and older to make direct, tax-free transfers of up to $100,000 per year (up to $200,000 for married couples) from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) to qualified charities.
Tap into League visa services amidst a wave of changing rules for guest artists
The League provides specialized assistance in navigating the complex visa requirements for guest artists.
League Leading: January 2020
Increasing diversity in American orchestras: a NAAS update; 2019 League policy victories set the stage for 2020 advocacy; Meet twelve emerging orchestra leaders; Abuzz: “We were interested in The Catalyst Fund…”; We moved to serve members better; League resources at your fingertips
Digital Media Digest: January 2020
The NSO plans a new record label; Classical streaming service IDAGIO launches free tier; Is classical music ahead of the streaming curve?; DSO reveals state-of-the-art tech and camera upgrades for “Live from Orchestra Hall” webcast series; Residuals can make up 75% of a musician’s movie score paycheque—but not on streaming; YouTube says it can delete your account if you’re not ‘commercially viable’; YouTube update makes it easier to deal with copyright claims; Facebook is actively licensing music videos for its YouTube rival, report claims; Billboard changes its mind: YouTube will now factor into the Billboard 200; Spotify’s ‘pay-for-play’ advertising program has a price tag: $0.55 per click; The end of owning music: how CDs and downloads died; Mechanical Licensing Collective hands a juicy contract to HFA—critics call the deal crooked; Congress introduces the ‘AM-FM Act’ to overhaul terrestrial copyright laws