West side of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
“Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate finally passed the largest emergency aid package in U.S. history in a 96-0 vote. And today, that $2 trillion stimulus bill … was subsequently approved by the House of Representatives,” writes Travis Bean in Friday’s (3/27) Forbes. “The bill includes a multitude of provisions…. One of the hardest hit sectors from the coronavirus has been entertainment…. The bill would include a $500 billion lending program for cities, states and larger companies, as well as $350 billion for smaller businesses with 500 employees or less…. Several key federal arts agencies—including the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)—would receive hundreds of millions from the federal government. These funds would be aimed more at local arts and entertainment groups.… The NEH and NEA would receive $75 million each; the IMLS would receive $50 million; and the Kennedy Center would receive $25 million…. The bill also includes expanded unemployment insurance that would allow freelancers, contractors and furloughed employees to receive $600 a week for up to four months.”
The League of American Orchestras is posting information about coping with the pandemic as a service to the orchestra field. Find resources, guidance, and updates on the League’s coronavirus preparedness site.
