Dance/USA Day of Action – Friday, August 14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2020

CONTACT: Johanna Tschebull

Advocacy Alert and Day of Action

While negotiations among U.S. House and Senate leadership and the White House have stalled, key policy leaders are still debating the contents of the next package of relief for our nation’s businesses, nonprofit organizations, states, local communities, schools, families, and individuals to address ongoing and long-term challenges related to the current pandemic. 

We ask that you LEAN IN with your voice and personal story this FRIDAY, AUGUST 14 to urge immediate action by Congress!

WHY?

• Because of the pandemic and in the interest of public health and in compliance with local health advisories, businesses and nonprofit organizations within the arts sector had to cancel various performances, educational programs, and other public events/activities.
• The creative economy is an important and unique contributor to the overall economy as well as state and local economies to provide millions of jobs, provide tax revenue, and otherwise continue to the overall quality of life for individuals and families in the U.S. and abroad.
• The unexpected loss of event-dependent revenue and declines in charitable contributions is negatively impacting the ability of various businesses and nonprofit organizations in the arts sector to provide important public programs and initiatives.
• Program initiatives established in the last relief package, the CARES Act, helped various businesses and nonprofit organizations in the arts sector to keep its artists and important employees in their payrolls.
• Unless Congress provides additional relief, many businesses and nonprofit organizations in the arts sector will be forced to make more drastic decisions, including letting go of their employees or closing their operations entirely.

UPDATED TALKING POINTS (Please consider the following statements when personalizing your letter) 

• Expand the duration of pandemic unemployment benefits, and improve guidelines for implementation for independent dance workers with a mix of W-2 and 1099 income receive full support.
• Expand resources under the Paycheck Protection Program, eliminate the 500-employee cap for nonprofit organizations, and provide dedicated funding available to nonprofit organizations. Extend duration, expand eligibility, and clear loan forgiveness guidance is urgently needed.
• Provide loan forgiveness for nonprofits through the Main Street Lending Program and the Economic Stabilization Fund, and ensure eligibility for nonprofit employers with more than 500 employees that have been left out of current relief provisions.
• Fully fund the Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and eliminate the $1,000 per employee cap imposed by SBA so businesses with one or very few employees can access funds.
• Provide additional forgivable emergency assistance loans, tax credits, and other forms of support to nonprofit organizations of all sizes and to self-employed workers, sole proprietors, and small LLCs to offset fixed overhead costs such as rent, utilities, insurance, and debt service.
• Approve substantial funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Institute of Museum and Library Services, as they administer dedicated COVID-19 relief that uniquely address the operational needs of cultural organizations. Expand waivers for public/private matching requirements to apply to all active FY19 and FY20 NEA grant awards, and allow current grantees to re-allocate funding for general operating support that helps to address COVID-19 economic losses.
• Include the arts sector in infrastructure investments needed to renovate, refurbish, and adapt to post-COVID-19 public health and workplace safety protocols.

Contact Congress here today!

Thank you for LEANING IN with your voice and personal story during Dance/USA’s Advocacy Day of Action and for your ongoing advocacy efforts! For additional Dance/USA information and resources concerning COVID-19, please visit the Dance/USA coronavirus resource page

About Dance/USA
Propelled by our belief that dance can inspire a more just and humane world, Dance/USA will amplify the power of dance to inform and inspire a nation where creativity and the field thrive.

Established in 1982, Dance/USA champions an inclusive and equitable dance field by leading, convening, advocating, and supporting individuals and organizations.  Dance/USA’s core programs are focused in the areas of engagement, advocacy, research, and preservation. Learn more about Dance/USA at danceusa.org.