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View New Round of Member Photos on our Site!
Been to our site lately? We've refreshed with a new group of member company photographs. Check out the art work at www.danceusa.org.
In our continuing effort to keep our membership informed, we'll be providing summary reports in the next several newsletters from Dance/USA departments and branch offices which highlight activities that have taken place from November 2008 to June 2009.
read what's happening in membership
Secretary of Education Strongly Supports Arts Education
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has released a letter to school officials and community leaders reminding them of the importance of arts education. This letter offers strong encouragement to education decision makers to find time and funds in the school day to offer a comprehensive, sequential and standards-based arts education. Please distribute the letter broadly to anyone in your community who might benefit from reading it.
An excerpt: "At this time when you are making critical and far-reaching budget and program decisions for the upcoming school year, I write to bring your attention to the importance of the arts as a core academic subject and part of a complete education for all students. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) define the arts as a core subject, and the arts play a significant role in children's development and learning process."
NEA Chair Rocco Landesman Meets with Arts Advocates
On Wednesday, August 12, government affairs staff from the Cultural Advocacy Group had the honor of being invited to meet with NEA Chair Rocco Landesman. Attendees included Amy Fitterer with Dance/USA and OPERA America, Heather Noonan with the League of American Orchestras, Leah Frelinghuysen with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Townley Clardy with the Performing Arts Alliance and Alissa Moore with Theatre Communications Group. The discussion with Mr. Landesman focused on three main points:
- Dramatic funding increases for the National Endowment for the Arts.
- Greater support for arts education.
- Developing cultural communities where artists and the arts play a role in the economic revitalization of these communities.
Chairman Landesman listened carefully to input from the meeting attendees and gave the impression that he hopes to work with guidance and collaboration from the arts community.
Dance/USA Meets with United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS)
On Tuesday August 11, Dance/USA, as a member of the Performing Arts Alliance Visa Task Force, met with immigration officials to discuss issues relating to O and P visas for foreign guest artists. The meeting was extremely informative and sought to address the many challenges surrounding the petition process. As advocates for the dance field, Dance/USA will continue to work to strengthen the lines of communication with USCIS and to gain clarification on visa regulations.
Dance/USA meets with the Corporation for National and Community Service
On August 6, Dance/USA, in coalition with the broader arts advocacy field, met with acting directors of AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve and Senior Corps at the Corporation for National and Community Service. The goal of the meeting was to strengthen the long term relationship between the arts community and national service programs. Not-for-profit arts organizations are eligible to receive grants and volunteers to conduct a variety of arts in community initiatives. In addition, the Corporation has established three new funds that will benefit not-for-profit arts organizations: Nonprofit Capacity Building Fund, the Social Innovation Fund and the Volunteer Generation Fund. The meeting was tremendously successful and the Corporation for National and Community Service seems excited to continue to strengthen its partnership with the arts field.
Appropriations Update
- National Endowment for the Arts is currently funded at $155 million. The House of Representatives has passed a $15 million increase to the NEA for FY 10 but the Senate has only proposed a $6 million increase; final appropriations will be determined this fall.
- Arts in Education Programs at the Department of Education are currently funded at $38.1 million. The House Subcommittee on Education, Labor, Health and Related Agencies has allotted $40 million to Arts in Education Programs; a $2 million increase for FY10.
- Corporation for National and Community Service is currently funded at $889.9 million. The House Appropriations Committee has passed $1.059 billion for FY10 and the Senate Appropriations Committee has passed a total budget of $1.159 billion for FY10.
