Given the prolonged duration of the COVID-19 crisis, and following passage of multiple COVID-19 relief packages, Congress can and must continue to support the arts sector as it weathers the ongoing harm caused by the pandemic. With restrictive measures still in place for months to come, orchestras, musicians, and the communities they serve are seeking ongoing federal assistance. Thanks to coordinated advocacy, Congress approved special relief funding in December 2020 to extend and create new forms of support, and more recently the substantial American Rescue Plan in March 2021 which further extended and added considerable support. Relief plans to date include two rounds of forgivable loans, payroll tax credits accessible to nonprofits, unemployment benefits for gig workers, and $16.25 billion in a new dedicated grant program to support shuttered venue operators. Despite these promising steps, however, the nationwide need continues to outpace available resources, and many will require additional support.
Please thank your elected officials and keep them informed about concerns and losses that still need to be addressed so that orchestras can fulfill their unique capacity to support the U.S. economy, uplift the human spirit, and provide lifelong learning. Your message should be concise, focused, and specific to your orchestra. See our complete talking points--which detail the full range of policy support needed for the arts workforce, participation in arts and cultural activity, and safety and infrastructure policies--and choose key areas of focus for your message. We have also added a dedicated set of talking points about the ERTC in light of a provision in the infrastructure bill to eliminate the 4th Quarter of the ERTC.
The League of American Orchestras has participated in a unified national Arts and COVID-19 Statement to Congress and in a recent set of recommendations on Rebuilding America's Arts Infrastructure, created in partnership with numerous national arts organizations. The League also partners closely with the broader arts and nonprofit sectors to advance requests to Congress, such as the National Council of Nonprofits Sector-Wide COVID-19 Request. There is growing support for these requests, as evidenced by the adoption of a resolution Urging Increased Support for Arts and Cultural Institutions in our Nation's Rebuilding and Recovery by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Join your voice with others in the arts and nonprofit sectors today!
Please thank your elected officials and keep them informed about concerns and losses that still need to be addressed so that orchestras can fulfill their unique capacity to support the U.S. economy, uplift the human spirit, and provide lifelong learning. Your message should be concise, focused, and specific to your orchestra. See our complete talking points--which detail the full range of policy support needed for the arts workforce, participation in arts and cultural activity, and safety and infrastructure policies--and choose key areas of focus for your message. We have also added a dedicated set of talking points about the ERTC in light of a provision in the infrastructure bill to eliminate the 4th Quarter of the ERTC.
The League of American Orchestras has participated in a unified national Arts and COVID-19 Statement to Congress and in a recent set of recommendations on Rebuilding America's Arts Infrastructure, created in partnership with numerous national arts organizations. The League also partners closely with the broader arts and nonprofit sectors to advance requests to Congress, such as the National Council of Nonprofits Sector-Wide COVID-19 Request. There is growing support for these requests, as evidenced by the adoption of a resolution Urging Increased Support for Arts and Cultural Institutions in our Nation's Rebuilding and Recovery by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Join your voice with others in the arts and nonprofit sectors today!