Post-Election Advocacy Update: COVID-19 Relief and Relationship Building

In the wake of the 2020 election season, here is an update from our partners at the Performing Arts Alliance about how you can take immediate action for COVID-19 relief and begin the process of building relationships with policy leaders in the new year.

Contact Congress Today to Ensure Relief Funding by Year End

Policy leaders in the current Congress are showing renewed energy to make decisions about COVID-19 relief in the remaining weeks of this legislative year. Advocates have one last chance in the coming weeks to advocate collectively to influence the fine print of the next round of sorely needed COVID relief. A second round of Paycheck Protection Program funding, expanded nonprofit tax credits, pandemic unemployment benefits, and other forms of relief for the arts, public education, states, and communities are all on the table.

In addition to deciding the scope and eligibility of relief, legislators are also hoping to pass funding bills for the 2021 fiscal year. These bills could become a vehicle by which COVID relief gets passed before the year is out. Cultivating and maintaining bipartisan support for issues that affect the arts and their communities remains critical at every level. Contact Congress today!

Start Planning and Building Relationships for 2021

For policy leaders returning in January or assuming office for the first time, the first several weeks following the elections are prime time to begin setting their priorities. We strongly encourage you to take a few moments now to be among the first to introduce or reintroduce yourself, or your organization to your re-elected or newly elected officials. Seek out your local partners and do this work together. These first conversations are great opportunities for everyone to come to a better understanding of what is needed in your community.