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August 6, 2020
Music Education is Essential
The League joined more than fifty national organizations issuing the statement, Arts Education Is Essential (PDF), which succinctly reminds school administrators and the public that -- especially in the context of COVID-19 -- arts education contributes to the social and emotional well-being of students, encourages student expression, and is essential to a well-rounded education for all students.
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October 9, 2020
New Visa Fee and Forms on Pause, but Congress Approves PPS Hike
Orchestras that engage international guest artists should be aware that the new forms and fees that were to go into effect October 2 have been paused due to a nationwide preliminary injunction issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Petitioners should continue to use the current version of the Form I-129 (dated 01/27/20) and $460 filing fee for O and P visas for the time being.
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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.
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March 13, 2009
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.
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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
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December 22, 2020
At Last! COVID-19 Relief Approved in Year-End Funding Bill
New and extended forms of federal COVID-19 relief are on the way in a year-end package of FY21 federal funding and coronavirus assistance of unprecedented scope, to be signed into law this week.
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March 2, 2021
Urgent COVID Relief Updates, and Opportunities to Support Music in Our Schools
Speak up: Congress finalizing next relief package; Pension Relief Proposed in New COVID-19 Bill; Newest Developments on Shuttered Venue Operator Grants and PPP Loans; Tune in to Music Advocacy this Month and Beyond
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August 5, 2019
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.
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August 6, 2020
Steep Artist Visa Fee Increases and Policy Changes to Take Effect October 2, 2020
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has denied the requests outlined in detailed comments (PDF) submitted by the League and national nonprofit arts stakeholders in response to the DHS December proposal to impose very steep increases to some of its filing fees, including for O and P artist visas applications. DHS finalized (PDF) its fee increases and policy changes, to take effect beginning October 2, 2020
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July 23, 2020
Urgent! Ongoing Advocacy Needed as Next COVID-19 Relief Package Emerges
Details of the Senate leadership's priorities for the next COVID-19 relief package are expected to be released throughout the next several days, setting the stage for negotiations with House leadership throughout next week.