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Register by October 17 to Secure Your Spot!
| Registration Type | Member Price |
|---|---|
| Early Bird Registration (Sept. 11-Oct.3) | $750 |
| General Registration (Oct. 4-Oct.17) | $850 |
The political landscape in Washington, DC continues to evolve daily. Chorus America needs to hear from you: How are the federal government’s actions affecting your work? All stories of specific impact are welcome. Please share your experience here. Thank you to those members who have already shared their stories with us.
Visit our Government Affairs Resource Page for more tools.
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These government affairs updates are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. Nonprofit arts organizations should consult with legal counsel for guidance specific to their circumstances.
NEA Announces Research Grant Opportunity
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is offering two grant programs through its Office of Research & Analysis:
Research Grants in the Arts support research studies that investigate the value and/or impact of the arts in American life. Cost-share grants of $20,000 to $100,000 will be awarded.
NEA Research Labs fund long-term research agendas that include multiple empirical studies and the dissemination of products or services that promote public knowledge about the arts and their contributions to American life. Each Lab must include an interdisciplinary team of researchers and a partnership with at least one arts organization or working artist. Cost-share grants of $100,000 to $300,000 will be awarded.
👉 Application guidelines for the current round of funding are available on the NEA website. The upcoming deadline is March 23, 2026.
👉 The opportunities are now listed on grants.gov: Research Grants in the Arts: 2026NEA01RESEARCHGRANTS Research Labs: 2026NEA01RESEARCHLABS
👉 New Resource: Added resources include a series of tutorial videos covering the basics of the Research Awards grant programs. Watch the full playlist or visit the Applicant Resources page to find links to individual videos.
👉 Questions should be directed to the Office of Research & Analysis staff at [email protected].
State Arts Agencies Receive Funds to Support Creative Aging
On February 18, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy announced the award of $2,230,000 in creative aging grant funding to 28 state arts agencies. With this support, state arts agencies will strengthen direct programming, provide professional development for teaching artists, and cultivate cross-sector partnerships that enhance program delivery and support long-term sustainability.
For information about activities taking place in each state, see NASAA’s summary of Creative Aging, Creative Futures grant awards or contact the state arts agency.
👉 Read the full press release here.
Bill Introduced: Copyright Labeling and Ethical AI Reporting (CLEAR) Act
Arts advocates continue to monitor AI policies and regulations to protect artists’ intellectual property as technology evolves.
On February 10, U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and John Curtis (R-Utah) introduced the bipartisan Copyright Labeling and Ethical AI Reporting (CLEAR) Act, which would protect creators’ intellectual property rights and encourage transparency in the development of artificial intelligence (AI).
The bill would require companies to disclose their use of copyrighted works to train generative AI models, implementing ethical guidelines and protections to promote transparency.
The Act is endorsed by numerous organizations, including the Songwriters Guild of America, American Federation of Musicians, and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), among others.
👉 Read the press release here
Sens. Peters and Lankford Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Federal Grant Application Process
On January 29, U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and James Lankford (R-OK) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the administration of federal grant programs. Smaller, rural, or resource-limited governments, organizations, and businesses often face challenges when applying for federal grants due to complex application processes.
The Streamlining Federal Grants Act would simplify the application process to improve access to federal grants for communities across the country.
👉 Read the press release here.
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Amy Fitterer is a dynamic leader in association management, government affairs, and the performing arts. She has consulted for OPERA America and Partners in Performance, supporting advocacy and strategic planning efforts. As Executive Director of Dance/USA (2011–2020), she led its transformation into a more equitable and financially strong organization, launching initiatives like Dance/USA Fellowships to Artists. Previously, she directed government affairs for OPERA America and Dance/USA, successfully advocating for arts funding and policy improvements. A former ballet dancer and pianist, Amy holds degrees from Indiana University and Columbia University. She lives in northern Virginia with her family and enjoys dance, music, and fitness.
