July 2009

News of the Month

2010 Emerging Leadership Institute – The Emerging Leadership Institute (ELI) is an intensive two-day seminar that will provide participants with many of the critical leadership skills they need now and in the future. This is an opportunity for mid-career arts professionals to connect with professional practitioners in the field while becoming a part of a growing ELI alumni network of presenters, managers, artists, agents, artistic company managing directors, marketing directors, arts council personnel, and other related positions in the performing arts. » Apply now

Photo by Abeer Abdalla

NEA Stimulus Funds Preserves Jobs – Federal grants to 18 Arts Presenters' members will preserve jobs in communities nationwide, thanks to stimulus grant awards totaling $825,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment funds. » See complete list of grantees

NPAC Update – June 14 marked the one year anniversary of the 2008 National Performing Arts Convention in Denver and we have a report on the considerable progress the various NPAC task forces have made since the convention. » Read more

Economy Watch

Taking the Pulse – Arts Presenters continues its economic tracking survey, conducted by AMS Planning and Research, regarding economic trends for presenters and facilities. Watch your inbox for an invitation on July 21 to participate in the next survey round, the results of which will be posted in a subsequent Presenting Matters. » Read the full February survey report

Government Affairs

Thank You Senators Hatch and Kerry! – We would like to thank these Members of Congress this month for their dedicated work in support of the performing arts industry. » Read more

Advocacy and Action Alert: National Service Legislation Funding – On Friday, July 10, the House Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee reported out a funding package that includes $1.059 billion in fiscal year 2010 for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). While this figure is a $169 million increase to implement the new Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, the allocation falls short of the President's requested level by $90 million. There are many steps left in the appropriations process before final funding levels are enacted. The Senate will be adopting its own version of the bill next week. However, if we are to be successful in securing the President's budget request in its totality, we must contact our legislators today. » Take action now

National Service Survey Reminder If you haven't already done so, please remember to take our national service survey. It will only take a few minutes to fill out and your feedback is critical in producing an industry-wide snapshot of how much we rely on volunteers to help us sustain our organizations and serve our communities. » Take the survey

Advocacy and Action Alert: IRA Rollover Update – The IRA Charitable Rollover Provision, which allows individuals age 70 and older to donate up to $100,000 from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) without having to count the distributions as taxable income, was extended through December 2009 following the passage of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. On April 22nd, Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) introduced the Public Good IRA Rollover Act, S. 864. S. 864 is the Senate companion bill to H.R.1250, introduced by Reps. Earl Pomeroy (D-SD) and Wally Herger (R-CA) and would build on the success of the current IRA Rollover by making it permanent, removing the current dollar limit on donations per year, making all charities eligible to receive donations, and providing IRA owners with a planned giving option starting at age 59.

The IRA Charitable Rollover allows Americans to make millions of dollars of new contributions to the nonprofit organizations that benefit people every day. Please contact your Member of Congress and ask them to co-sponsor and support the Public Good IRA Rollover Act (S.864/H.R.1250).

Advocacy and Action Alert: FY 2010 NEA Funding Update – The House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee approved a $15 million increase for the National Endowment for the Arts, bringing NEA funding to $170 million for FY 2010. The total for the agency in FY 2009 is $155 million, and this increase reflects years of advocacy since the NEA's budget was severely cut in 1995. President Obama proposed $161.3 in his FY 2010 budget request, and on June 25th, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $161.3 million for the NEA. Performing arts advocates need to call on the Senate to match the funding level approved by the House. Please contact your Senator today and communicate the value of the National Endowment for the Arts support for the performing arts and for your community.