Dear APAP Members and Colleagues,
First of all, I hope you are safe and well.
Since I began as President and CEO of
your
membership organization just a few weeks ago, I've immersed myself in working with the team and in meeting many of you. I appreciate the warm welcome and look forward to getting to know each and every one of you. Although I've been quite busy, I wanted to take this moment to give you an important update.
The U.S. Congress is back in session this week and is finalizing negotiations on the next COVID-19 relief package as well as laying the groundwork for the FY21 budget priorities. APAP has been working steadily with its advocacy partners to raise up the wide-ranging issues that impact the performing arts.
But first, I wanted to share this BREAKING news:
Yesterday,
Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the "
Save Our Stages
" Act that makes available dedicated relief to the live arts and entertainment industry and that will benefit many of our commercial and non-profit members, including venues, producers, promoters and agents. You can
read more about it here
.
We know the importance of advocating on your behalf. We have boldly voiced our support of the following funding and policy priorities:
- Additionally, the arts sector continues to collectively advocate for COVID-19 relief, including a second round of the Paycheck Protection Plan, non-employer business support, more inclusive and fully accessible Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, tax credits, stimulus funding to the states, liability and workforce/public health policy, and arts in education. We are currently working on a joint statement to follow up on our last advocacy statement.
With many relief programs expiring in the coming weeks, it is more important than ever that you
join in the advocacy effort
for dedicated funding for the performing arts as well as relief and policy that truly supports arts organizations and arts workers.
We are here for you. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
