March 26, 2020
From: Isaac Brown, Legislative Counsel
Vol. 20:03

Late last night, the U.S. Senate approved a $2.2 trillion emergency relief package designed to support the U.S. economy and provide critical investment in resources to help hospitals contend with the COVID-19 outbreak.

Within the bill is a $75 million emergency appropriation for the National Endowment for the Arts (of which 40% is directed to state and regional arts organizations) to help the agency address the serious impacts experienced within the arts community as a result of this crisis. There are other provisions within the bill that will benefit artists, both as individuals and as business owners, including credits of $1,200 to most American adults and $500 for most children, as well loan forgiveness for organizations and businesses that retain workers and an expansion of unemployment benefits.

With passage in the Senate secured, the House is expected to consider and pass the legislation today or tomorrow. While this bill is the largest such package in American history, Congress is expected to consider another round of stimulus funding in the next few weeks, where we hope there will be further opportunity to support artists, state arts agencies and the National Endowment for the Arts.