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Register by October 17 to Secure Your Spot!
| Registration Type | Member Price |
|---|---|
| Early Bird Registration (Sept. 11-Oct.3) | $750 |
| General Registration (Oct. 4-Oct.17) | $850 |
The political landscape in Washington, DC continues to evolve daily. Chorus America needs to hear from you: How are the federal government’s actions affecting your work? All stories of specific impact are welcome. Please share your experience here. Thank you to those members who have already shared their stories with us.
Visit our Government Affairs Resource Page for more tools.
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These government affairs updates are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. Nonprofit arts organizations should consult with legal counsel for guidance specific to their circumstances.
NEA Posts its Plan in Absence of Funding
The NEA posted its Agency Operations in the Absence of Appropriations:
“When a lapse arises, the Agency will assess its available appropriated carryover, and, to the extent that the Agency has available apportioned carryover balances, the Agency will retain staff working in support of the National Garden of Heroes and other actions that directly support A250. No other activities will be undertaken during the lapse unless it is an excepted function.”
The plan also states that there are currently 98 staff employed at the agency, and 94 of them will be furloughed during a lapse in appropriated funds.
Artist Visa Update: Immediate Change to Premium Processing Service
In addition to several recent significant changes to visa processing, USCIS quietly changed the process by which a petitioner upgrades an already-filed I-129 petition for Premium Processing Service (PPS). Applicants seeking to upgrade their petition from regular processing to PPS must now send their "standalone" I-907 request to one of several designated USCIS "lockbox" locations effective immediately.
New Resource: Preparing for Immigration Enforcement
Tamizdat, an advocacy organization supporting artist mobility and cultural exchange, has released a new resource on immigration and enforcement: Preparing for Immigration Enforcement: Keeping Music and Performing Arts Venues, Staff, Artists and Audiences Safe. Learn more here.
FAQ on Executive Order, “Oversight of Federal Grants”
The Executive Order, Oversight of Federal Grants, calls for agencies to “review new funding opportunity announcements and to review discretionary grants to ensure that they are consistent with agency priorities and the national interest.” To help provide some clarity around this EO, the National Council of Nonprofits has created a useful FAQ page.
Visit the FAQ page here.
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Amy Fitterer is a dynamic leader in association management, government affairs, and the performing arts. She has consulted for OPERA America and Partners in Performance, supporting advocacy and strategic planning efforts. As Executive Director of Dance/USA (2011–2020), she led its transformation into a more equitable and financially strong organization, launching initiatives like Dance/USA Fellowships to Artists. Previously, she directed government affairs for OPERA America and Dance/USA, successfully advocating for arts funding and policy improvements. A former ballet dancer and pianist, Amy holds degrees from Indiana University and Columbia University. She lives in northern Virginia with her family and enjoys dance, music, and fitness.
