League Forward: December 2024
Updates from the League, behind-the-scenes insights, and highlighting some of our wonderful donors across the country.
Federal Policy Updates and Looking to 2025
In This Issue: Engaging the New Congress Starts Now; Speaking Up for Charitable Giving; HR 9495: Nonprofits Seek Due Process; and Federal Court Blocks Overtime Expansion
A Post-Election Message from Our CEO and President, Simon Woods
Across the country, individuals and organizations are processing the outcome of another deeply polarizing election and looking for meaning and guidance for the times ahead.
League of American Orchestras Launches Three Year Inclusive Stages Program, Aiming to Increase Musician Racial Diversity at American Orchestras
The League of American Orchestras’ pioneering Inclusive Stages program will launch into a full three year cycle, following a successful pilot year in 2023-24. Made possible by the Sakana Foundation, the program is aimed at increasing racial diversity among musicians in American orchestras.
U.S. Department of Education Message to School Officials: Access Support for Arts Education
In a culmination of years of advocacy, earlier this month the U.S. Department of Education’s Deputy Secretary issued a letter to state education officials reinforcing the ways federal funding can be used to support arts education within the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
League Forward: Summer/Fall 2024
Updates from the League, behind-the-scenes insights, and highlighting some of our wonderful donors across the country.
League of American Orchestras Elects Alan Mason as New Board Chair
Alan Mason has been elected Chair of the League of American Orchestras’ Board of Directors, the League has announced. The California-based finance executive and musician recently retired as a Managing Director at BlackRock and is the Prior President of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras Board. Mason currently serves as a board member of the Monterey Symphony and is a prior board member of the Oakland Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.
House Defeats Brecheen Amendments, Senate Acts Next
After supportive remarks by Interior Subcommittee Chair Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Ranking Member Chellie Pingree (D-ME) on behalf of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the House defeated a pair of amendments offered by Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK).
House Amendment Would Reduce NEA Funding by 25%
After swift subcommittee and committee passage, the full House of Representatives is expected to consider Interior funding next week, which includes the annual budget for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
36 Orchestra and Arts Professionals to Participate in League of American Orchestras’ Essentials of Orchestra Management Program
An international cohort of thirty-six orchestra and arts professionals will participate in Essentials of Orchestra Management, the League of American Orchestras’ premier leadership development program. The ten-day program, running from July 24-August 2, 2024, is presented in collaboration with Juilliard Extension and will take place in New York at Juilliard’s campus at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.