-
September 25, 2020
Visa Petition Fee Increases Next Week
U.S. petitioners that program international guest artists should prepare for steep fee increases in filing visa petitions with USCIS, effective next Friday, October 2, 2020. New versions of the Form I-129 were to have been released well in advance of this date, but as of September 23, the public is still awaiting approved versions of the new and I-129 forms.
-
September 1, 2021
Join in Supporting National Arts in Education Week!
National Arts in Education Week takes place September 12 through 18 this year, and as always the League invites orchestras to join in celebrating and promoting the importance of music education that takes place within schools.
-
February 6, 2012
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.
-
December 19, 2007
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.
-
October 9, 2020
October Ushers in Ongoing COVID-19 Relief Talks and Visa Fee News
As Election Nears, COVID-19 Relief Talks Pause, Resume, and Refocus; SBA Releases Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Updates; Universal Charitable Deduction and the Latest Giving Trends; New Visa Fee and Forms on Pause, but Congress Approves PPS Hike
-
July 7, 2020
Speak up in July as Congress takes action on COVID-19 relief!
Throughout July, House and Senate negotiators will shape a new approach to the expiring Paycheck Protection Program and pandemic unemployment benefits, and will consider enhanced charitable giving incentives, dedicated stimulus funding, and other policies to support workers, employers, and communities.
-
February 11, 2021
Congress Takes Up Next Round of COVID-19 Relief!
Congress is racing to complete the next COVID-19 relief package before a number of provisions expire in mid-March, using the budget reconciliation process to speed approval with a simple majority vote in the Senate.
-
June 24, 2020
Trump Administration Extends and Expands Certain Immigration Restrictions through 2020
This week the President announced an extension through December of his executive order from late April that had, at that time, suspended new immigration for 60 days. Effective immediately, individuals outside the United States who do not currently have an immigrant visa or official travel document other than a visa will be barred entry into the U.S. through December 31, 2020 “and may be continued as necessary” along with the possibility of “any modifications as may be necessary.”
-
August 12, 2020
Join Fellow Arts Advocates: Speak Up by This Friday!
While lead negotiators may have stepped away from the table, Congress continues to consider the scope and scale of the next massive package of COVID-19 relief. The details really matter, and you can add your voice once again by contacting Congress this week, alongside colleagues in the broader performing arts sector.
-
June 4, 2020
Update! Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility, Guidelines, and Webinar
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Approved by Congress; PPP Loan Forgiveness Guidelines Released; League Conference PPP Session Tomorrow, June 5