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.
Assessment Board Announces Plan to Eliminate Nation’s Arts Report Card
In late July, the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) announced its intention to narrow the breadth of subjects assessed by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), eliminating the next Nation’s Arts Report Card, the only nationally-reported measurement of what students know and are able to do in the arts.
Federal funding: your summer homework with elected officials
Given that this is an election year, the House and Senate are taking a long summer recess, which makes the prospects uncertain for the federal budget to be completed. Bills that are of importance to the orchestra community are on the move, and here is the latest on where things stand for…
Cultural Diplomacy Opportunity: Musicians May Apply Now
Orchestra musicians interested in participating in international cultural diplomacy should take note of two application deadlines at the U.S. Department of State. The 2016-2017 season of American Music Abroad is currently accepting applications until January 24, 2016.
Electronic Media Policy Update
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may soon rule on several proceedings that will impact the use of wireless microphones. The FCC is proposing that entities using fewer than 50 microphones would not be able to register in a geo-location database which provides interference protection.
Silk Road Grant Seeking RFPs for South Central Asia
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has just announced a new Request for Proposals (RFP) with a very quickly-approaching deadline of August 16th. Proposals should highlight the relationship between any combination of two or more of the following nations: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan.
Success! Air Travel to Improve for Musicians
An important provision that eases air travel for musicians was approved by Congress on February 6, 2012 as part of a broader package of federal aviation programs. The FAA has been operating on a series of short-term extensions since the 2007, and reauthorization has been a lengthy and hotly debated process.
Congress Approves FY09 Increase for Educational Cultural Exchange Programs
The Educational and Cultural Exchange programs of the U.S. State Department received $538 million for FY09. While it is not clear how much of this funding might be dedicated to the grant program that supports international cultural exchanges, this represents an overall increase for the program.
Cultural Exchange Funds Available
The Educational and Cultural Exchange programs of the U.S. State Department received a $59 million increase for FY08. While it is not clear how much of this funding might be dedicated to the grant program that supports international cultural exchanges, orchestras should take note of a current grant opportunity.
FEMA Support for Performing Arts Approved!
Congress has recognized the public value of performing arts organizations by addressing a significant inequity in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief policy. In response to concerns raised by the performing arts community, the FY07 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill included a provision adding nonprofit performing arts facilities to the list of organizations eligible for future FEMA disaster relief.