Government Affairs Update: New Resources Page, NEA Removes Certification Requirements, and Resources for the LGBTQ+ Choral Community

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. 

President Actions and the Choral Field Webinar Resources 

On Wednesday, March 12, Chorus America presented a webinar reviewing key federal political developments affecting the nonprofit arts, from Executive Orders to Congressional actions, and providing the choral community with valuable insights and guidance. 

Moderated by Amy Fitterer, government affairs consultant for Chorus America, the panel included Dorothy Deng, partner at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston and co-chair of Associations, Nonprofits and Political Organizations Section, and Jessica Mendieta, policy associate at the National Council of Nonprofits. 

Because this information is changing so quickly, the webinar was not recorded. The following resources were shared during the webinar and Chorus America will be adding an FAQ document to our website next week.  

• Webinar slides
• Navigating Government Policy Changes resource page 

NEA Removes More Certification Requirements and Extends Deadlines 

In response to several court actions, the NEA has removed the requirement that grantees certify they are in compliance with the DEI and gender ideology executive orders.  Read here for the revised NEA Legal Requirements and Assurance of Compliance. 

NEA Deadline Update: The Part 2 (NEA Applicant Portal) deadline for the FY26 GAP 1 funding opportunity has been extended. The Applicant Portal will open on March 14, 2025, at 9:00 am ET and close on April 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET.  Visit the NEA Grants for Arts Projects here.  Part 1 was due on Tuesday, March 11th through the grants.gov website.  Part One must have been completed in order to move onto the Part 2 deadline. 

Status of the ACLU/Theaters Lawsuit Against the NEA 

Last week, the ACLU and several theater organizations filed a lawsuit against the NEA over its guidelines and compliance requirements.  The lawsuit argues that the "gender ideology" restrictions violate the First and Fifth Amendments, as well as the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) by unlawfully altering grant eligibility without proper measures.  A hearing is now scheduled for March 27, 2025. Read about the lawsuit here. 

Resources for the LGBTQ+ Choral Community 

Earlier this year, President Trump signed three executive orders that address gender ideology:  Executive Order 14176, Executive Order 14201, and Executive Order 14187.  There are court cases challenging all of these Executive Orders.  Chorus America will continue to track the status of these executive orders and compile guidance for the choral community.  Here are several useful resources: 

Understanding the Executive Orders and What They Mean for the LGBTQ Community  

Source:  Human Rights Watch 

Information for LGBTQ People Under the Trump Administration 

Source:  GLAD:  GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders 

Overview of President Trumps Executive Actions Impacting LGBTQ Health 

Source:  KFF:  The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news. 

Planning an International Tour?  Note this Passport Change. 

The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs will no longer be issuing U.S. Passports with the gender “X” option.  The agency will only issue passports with an M or F sex marker that match the customer's biological sex at birth. If you submit a passport application requesting an X marker or requesting a sex marker that differs from the sex marker at your birth, you may experience delays getting your passport.  Read more here. 

New Form I-129 for Foreign Guest Artists Petitioning to Work in the U.S.  

On January 17, 2025, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a new Form I-129 for foreign guest artists to petition to work in the United States.  Read more on the Artists From Abroad website, here. 

Update - State Arts Agencies Under the New Administration 

Source:  National Assembly of State Arts Agencies 

 At this time, State Arts Agencies (SAAs) have received no specific NEA guidance pertaining to the executive orders.  SAAs are funded through federal, state, and private sources and not all state awards are made with federal money and the related matching dollars.  How grants are awarded can vary from state to state. 

State Arts Agencies are “open for business.”  SAAs provide essential funding and services to communities, and that good work is continuing.  Stay in touch with your state arts agency and apply as you normally would, until you learn otherwise.  Don’t miss the opportunity to apply for support!