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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.
President’s FY27 Budget Proposes $29M to Close NEA
Earlier today, the President released his FY27 Budget Request which proposes a $73 billion cut to domestic spending and a $1.5 trillion increase to military spending. As with previous budget requests from this administration, arts and cultural agencies were on the chopping block with the proposed amounts:
- $29 million to close out the National Endowment for the Arts
- $38 million to close out the National Endowment for the Humanities
- $6 million to close out the Institute for Museum and Library Services
The President’s budget signals the administration’s priorities, but it is not law. Congress holds the power of the purse, develops its own budget framework, and passes appropriations bills that determine actual spending.
In the coming weeks and months, Chorus America and arts advocates will work to ensure Congress understands the value of the arts and champions funding for federal cultural agencies. The voices of choral groups in every district, speaking directly to their elected officials, will be invaluable. Stay tuned for calls to action and opportunities to engage with your members of Congress.
👉 Visit White House Office of Management and Budget for President’s FY27 Budget Request.
Nonprofit Ban on Influencing Elections and Recent Court Case
As many choruses know, the IRS bans 501(c)(3) organizations from seeking to influence a political election. This ban is known as the Johnson Amendment and was added to the Internal Revenue Code in 1954. Most of the nonprofit sector, including Chorus America, supports the Johnson Amendment because it protects nonprofits from pressure to endorse candidates, prevents charitable donations from being diverted to political campaigns, and upholds the separation of church and state, a core First Amendment principle.
However, some religious organizations have sued the government to remove the ban, arguing that it limits their free speech as it relates to political candidates and parties.
In the latest effort to eliminate the Johnson Amendment, two religious organizations and two nonprofits sued the federal government. On Tuesday, March 31, a federal judge in Texas dismissed the case due to a technicality, and the plaintiffs plan to appeal.
👉 Read the judge’s decision, here.
👉 View the National Council of Nonprofits’ resources on the Johnson Amendment, here.
New! A Collective Vision for Equity in Arts Education
Released in March 2026, A Collective Vision for Equity in Arts Education is a shared advocacy agenda focused on ensuring every student has access to a high-quality arts education. Created by the Arts Education Alliance, the agenda outlines a commitment to expand access across all arts disciplines, strengthen systems of support for educators, and elevate the role of the arts in schools and communities nationwide. (Source: Arts Education Alliance)
👉 Read the Collective Vision, here.
👉 Learn about the Arts Education Alliance and access more resources, here.
New! Advocacy Guide for Nonprofits
The National Council of Nonprofits has released a practical guide for nonprofits on advocating for federal spending. The guide includes:
- Information on how Congress enacts federal funding
- Where there are opportunities for advocacy
- Tips for effectively advocating for spending priorities
👉 Access the Advocacy Guide for Nonprofits, here.
National Coalition Against Censorship Seeks Stories for Amicus Brief
The National Coalition Against Censorship is collecting stories from arts organizations and individuals impacted by grant rules issued by the National Endowment for the Arts that prohibited grant recipients in 2025 from promoting gender ideology. NCAC is filing a legal amicus brief in federal court to highlight the unconstitutional impacts of these grant restrictions on artists, performers, cultural institutions, and grant recipients, as well as on their work and identity. The deadline to submit stories for consideration in the legal brief is April 6. (Source: NCAC)
👉 Learn more about NCAC’s call for stories and legal effort, here.
👉 Learn about the NCAC’s other legal efforts, 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.
