Advocacy News and Alerts
In This SectionThe League’s team in Washington, D.C. is monitoring all of the latest policy developments, from key votes ahead that need your voice to newly-approved policies that will affect your orchestra’s day-to-day operations. Find here our advocacy updates and latest calls to action.
Advocacy Updates
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March 10, 2023
Last Chance to Weigh In on Drastic Artist Visa Fee Proposal
The opportunity to respond to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposed rule on visa filing fees has been extended and will now close on Monday, March 13. This proposal would more than triple the cost for O and P artist visas applications filed by U.S. petitioners.
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January 23, 2023
DHS Proposes New Fees: Includes Steep Increases for Artist Visas, Harmful Policy Changes
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a proposed rule that would impose very steep increases to some of its filing fees, including for O and P artist visas applications filed by U.S. petitioners. The comment period is open until March 6, 2023, and DHS and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) expect to take several months to review public feedback and consider adjustments.
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December 22, 2022
Happy Holiday Policy News: Arts Funding Increases and New Charitable Giving Incentives Win Approval
In the final days of 2022, Congress has come to an agreement on a year-end funding deal that includes victories for two League policy priorities – federal appropriations and enhanced charitable giving incentives.
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November 28, 2022
Global Negotiations Support Musical Instruments and Pernambuco Conservation
Improvements for the movement of musical instruments across borders and new support for the conservation of Pernambuco wood won approval at the conclusion of two weeks of global negotiations in Panama City, Panama.
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November 21, 2022
Post-Election Update and Peek at 2023
In This Issue: Short-term Priorities for Year-End Legislating, Prepare for 2023 and Beyond, and Odds and Ends
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November 7, 2022
Global Action on Musical Instruments Begins Next Week
The League is partnering with international stakeholders to represent the music sector in policy conversations that will determine future rules for travel and trade with musical instruments made with material subject to endangered species protections.
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September 27, 2022
Autumn Advocacy Action
In This Issue: Activate New Voter Engagement Resources; Shuttered Venues Grant Program Enters Closeout Process; Talks Accelerate on New Rules for Musical Instruments; Engaging Artists from Abroad
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July 1, 2022
Sizzling Summer Policy Updates
In This Issue: NEA and Arts Education Funds Increase for Fiscal Year 2022; Continued Calls for Relief as Research Charts COVID-19's Impact on the Arts; League Speaks Up on Travel with Musical Instruments; Charitable Giving and Nonprofit Sector Take the Spotlight in Senate Hearing
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May 26, 2022
NEA Awards 2nd Round FY22 Grants; Invites Public to Equity Listening Session
Last week, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced its second round of major awards for fiscal year 2022 in the category of Grants for Arts Projects, including support for 49 orchestras and numerous related projects.
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March 23, 2022
Signs of Spring: Cherry Blossoms and D.C. Policy Updates
In This Issue: NEA and Arts Education Funds Increase for Fiscal Year 2022; Continued Calls for Relief as Research Charts COVID-19's Impact on the Arts; League Speaks Up on Travel with Musical Instruments; Charitable Giving and Nonprofit Sector Take the Spotlight in Senate Hearing
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February 14, 2022
Latest Arts Policy News
In This Issue: Act Now: ERTC Reinstatement Gaining Support; States Now Processing FEMA Safe Opening Assistance; U.S. Copyright Office Opens Talks on 'Bots'; Shuttered Venue Grants in Action Nationwide; NEA American Rescue Plan Grants to Aid 24 Orchestras; New Engagement by U.S. Department of Education on Arts Learning; Engaging International Artists? Explore Consular Waivers, Confirm Approved Vaccines
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January 13, 2022
Kick-Start 2022 with the Latest Arts Policy News
In This Issue: Act Now: Renewed COVID-19 Relief Talks Underway; NEA Awards 1st Round FY22 Grants, Direct ARP Grants to Come; Newest Artist Visa Updates as Travel Resumes, Cautiously; League Resources on COVID-19 Relief and New Safety Rules; 2022: A Key Year for Advocacy
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December 17, 2021
Year-End Policy News and Looking Ahead
In This Issue: Speak Up to Reinstate the Employee Retention Tax Credit; IRS to Non-Itemizers: Donate Now; Shuttered Venue Operators Grants Enter New Phase of Implementation; National Endowment for the Arts Grant News and Updates; Our Year-End Thanks to You!
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November 12, 2021
Major Policy Developments, International Travel Resumes, and Latest SVOG News
In This Issue: Employee Retention Tax Credit Curtailed as Infrastructure Bill Passes; New Action Ahead on Shuttered Venue Operators Grants; The Latest on COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Requirements; COVID-19 Travel Bans Lifted: New Policies in Place for International Air Travel; Speak Up Now to Preserve New Charitable Giving Incentives!
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October 8, 2021
Agency Nominations, Policy Updates, and More
In This Issue: Still Time to Act on Arts and Recovery, Reminder! New Charitable Giving Incentives Encourage Donors to Give More, Shuttered Venue Operators Grants: Reporting Requirements Coming Soon, International Guest Artists Experiencing Visa Delays and Complications, Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson Nominated to Lead National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Education Legislation Nears Introduction, October is National Arts and Humanities Month
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September 20, 2021
Fall Brings Important Policy News and Opportunities
In This Issue: Act Now: Arts and Recovery; Shuttered Venues Grants Enter Supplemental Phase; U.S. to Lift International Travel Restrictions in Early November
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August 30, 2021
Arts and Recovery: Contact Congress Today
Your voice has made a real difference as Congress shapes relief and recovery resources, and it's time to be heard once again! In the coming weeks, Congress will finalize the contents of massive legislative vehicles intended to build the nation's infrastructure and provide resources to support recovery amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation is being called a once-in-a-generation investment in U.S. infrastructure and growth.
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August 12, 2021
Summer Action Heats Up on COVID Policy Issues
Next Phase Begins for Shuttered Venue Operators Grants; Threats to Shorten Employee Retention Tax Credit as Access Improves; Webinar Ahead: U.S. Visas and COVID-19 Travel Restrictions; How to Play Your Part this Month
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June 23, 2021
NEA Announces Guidelines for American Rescue Plan Grants
Today, the National Endowment for the Arts announced guidelines for American Rescue Plan Grants, which are intended to help support jobs in the arts sector, keep the doors open to arts organizations, and assist the field in responding to and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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June 9, 2021
New USCIS policies aim to improve visa process
Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced policy changes that will support improved visa processing, specifying opportunities for artist visa petitioners.
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May 28, 2021
SBA Begins Shuttered Venue Grant Award Announcements
On May 26, 2021, the Small Business Administration (SBA) posted a new set of Frequently Asked Questions for Awardees approved for a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), as grant notifications for the first award recipients for this critical form of COVID-19 relief are issued this week.
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May 24, 2021
Shuttered Venue Operator Updates
In a call with Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) stakeholders today, the Small Business Administration (SBA) provided information in response to applicant uncertainty over the timing and next steps in processing grant applications.
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May 19, 2021
NEA's Second Round of FY21 Grants Support Nearly 60 Orchestral Online Projects, Community Engagements, and Operations
Nearly 60 orchestras have been awarded FY21 Grants for Arts Projects (GAP), Part 2 awards by the National Endowment for the Arts to commission new works, support composer residencies, produce community engagement programs, present online performances, and support afterschool music education for young students.
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May 13, 2021
Spring Into Action! Catch Up on Latest COVID-19 Relief Updates and Opportunities, International Mobility, and Charitable Giving Bills
American Rescue Plan: State and Local Funding in Motion; Latest Shuttered Venue Operators Grants Updates; International Mobility: Visas and Travel with Instruments; Charitable Giving Provisions Introduced in Congress
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May 11, 2021
Shuttered Venue Operators Grants Updates
The SBA is advising stakeholders that further information about next steps in Shuttered Venue Operators Grants program will continue to be released this week and next. The League participated in a call this afternoon with SVOG administrators.
Contact Congress
Raising your voice about key issues before Congress is essential. Contacting Congress is easy to do, and your communication with elected officials will ensure that communities nationwide continue to benefit from orchestral music.
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