Post-Election Priorities, COVID-19 Relief, and Planning Your Advocacy Strategy

November 13, 2020

2020: Short-term priorities

Policy leaders in the current Congress are showing renewed energy to make decisions about COVID-19 relief in the remaining weeks of this legislative year. Advocates have one last chance in the coming weeks to advocate collectively to influence the fine print of the next round of sorely needed COVID relief.

A second round of Paycheck Protection Program funding, expanded nonprofit tax credits, pandemic unemployment benefits, and other forms of relief for the arts, public education, states, and communities are all on the table. And in addition to deciding the scope and eligibility of relief, legislators are also hoping to pass funding bills for the 2021 fiscal year, which could become a vehicle by which COVID relief gets passed before the year is out.

The League of American Orchestras has members in 321 out of 435 Congressional districts, and orchestras frequently deliver on their nonprofit missions through partnerships in districts well beyond their concert halls. Together, we can reach 100% of the Senate and 74% of the U.S. House of Representatives. Cultivating and maintaining bipartisan support for issues that affect orchestras and their communities remains critical at every level.

2021: Watch this space, but get an early start!

For policy leaders returning in January or assuming office for the first time, these first several weeks following the elections are prime time to begin setting their priorities. We strongly encourage you to take a few moments now to be among the first to introduce or reintroduce your orchestra to your re-elected or newly elected officials. Seek out your local partners and do this work together. These first conversations are great opportunities for everyone to listen for a better understanding of what is needed in your community.

If your orchestra has a productive relationship with a member of the U.S. Congress, please be sure to let us know! The League is here to help you by speaking up in the nation’s capital, strategically partnering with the broader arts and nonprofit sectors, and growing your orchestra’s capacity to directly engage with policy issues.

Your Advocacy Toolkit

• Post-election Message for Orchestras  
• Look Up Your Federally Elected Officials (for currently serving officials)
• League Chart of Incoming Federally Elected Officials by State
• Playing Your Part: An Orchestra’s Guide to Public Policy Advocacy 
• Key Policy Issues at a Glance (PDF)
• Arts & COVID-19 Federal Relief Campaign