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Dear Friends and Colleagues:
As you may be aware, Congress is working on its fourth package of federal relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We still have work to do in order to get support for all those who work in the arts and the communities they serve. Last Friday, the PAA, along with our colleagues in the Cultural Advocacy Group, released this statement regarding the new relief package.
Please, keep your elected officials informed about your needs and concerns, as well as those not being addressed in your community. Remember to tell them about the arts capacity to support the U.S. economy (including billions of dollars in peripheral spending), uplift the human spirit, and provide lifelong learning.
We have provided an editable draft of a note HERE. Please personalize your message and consider the following points when contacting your members of Congress.
Please consider the following updated talking points when composing your letter:
- Expand and recapitalize the Paycheck Protection Program resources.
- Fully fund the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and remove the $1,000/per employee cap.
- Provide streamlined, low-interest forgivable loans to assist micro-businesses.
- Provide loan forgiveness for nonprofits through the Main Street Lending Program and the Economic Stabilization Fund.
- Expand the duration of pandemic unemployment benefits and make eligible gig workers with mixed income.
- Expand access to health coverage and care.
- Approve substantial funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and other cultural agencies for dedicated COVID-19 relief.
- Enact policies to ensure rapid processing of artist visas.
- Support the arts and work of artists as essential infrastructure investments.
- Include the arts sector in consideration of public health and workplace safety policies.
- Ensure the arts are considered in business interruption insurance and liability policy discussions.
The PAA and our member groups also support the following efforts:
Also, visit the PAA COVID-19 Resources page for links to our member's pages containing information on upcoming webinars and information on COVID-19 relief packages, along with other resources.
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