Navigating the New Policy Environment

February 12, 2025

To: Orchestra Executive Directors

Dear All,

The rapidly emerging changes in federal policy have profound implications for the entire arts field, our work with governmental and nonprofit partners, and the communities we serve. As your national association, with our long history of providing resources and nonpartisan federal advocacy, we are monitoring developments closely and planning ways to support members and the orchestra field.

Many of you will have already seen the new NEA Guidelines issued at the end of last week, which will require grantees to comply with new Executive Orders. We have provided an overview on our website. The range of new Executive Orders continues to grow, and is subject to ongoing court action that may remain unresolved for a long time to come. Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress is also considering budgetary and comprehensive tax policy proposals that will likely have far-reaching impacts on the wider nonprofit sector.

We must all stay alert to the rapid changes in the legal and policy environment while remaining true to our missions and values. And the speed with which the situation is changing cautions us not to rush into decisions nor react to speculation.

We are committed to providing you with clear updates about policy developments, resources to support your ongoing work, tools for essential communications with elected leaders, and a community for peer dialogue as we chart the path ahead together.

The League is not able to offer direct legal guidance, given the uniqueness of individual orchestra programs as well as state and local nuances. However, we recommend that orchestras engage their boards—and potentially local legal counsel—to help them assess the implications of the emerging compliance environment.

Finally, please let us know how we can continue to support you. Music’s unique ability to bring people together for inspiring communal experience is why we exist—and why as orchestras we are more needed than ever in times of change and uncertainty.

Sincerely,

Simon Woods
President and CEO
League of American Orchestras