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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.
Good News for Funding the NEA, NEH, and Arts Education
Despite the President’s FY26 budget proposal in spring 2025 that called for zeroing out funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and eliminating the Department of Education (DOE), both government entities are receiving FY26 funding and strong bi-partisan support.
On January 23, President Trump signed H.R. 6938 into law, which awards level funding of $207 million for FY26 to the NEA and NEH.
On January 20, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed an appropriations package that includes funding for education. The bill awards level funding or a slight increase to most DOE programs that support arts education.
Thank you to all Chorus America members who responded to our Action Alerts over the past year to support funding for the NEA, arts education, and other cultural agencies. Your calls and letters to Congress made a difference! Thank you!
The National Association for Music Educators created the following chart to illustrate FY26 funding, from budget proposals to final numbers:
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REMINDER: NEA FY27 Grant Deadlines Approaching
Grants for Arts Projects, February cycle (GAP1): Part 1 (Intent to apply) February 12, 2026; Part 2 Applicant Portal available February 18, 2026 9am ET – February 25, 2026 11:59pm ET
Grants for Arts Projects, July cycle (GAP2):Part 1 (Intent to apply) July 9, 2026; Part 2 Applicant Portal available July 14, 2026 9am ET – July 21, 2026 11:59pm ET
Important: Our Town and Challenge America applicants will now apply within the Grants for Arts Projects program and choose the “Design & Our Town” or “Challenge America” discipline
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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.
