National Issues

American Alliance of Museums Advocacy Alerts

Urge Support for the Arts in COVID-19 Relief Legislation
https://www.artsactionfund.org/ActionCenter  
Use the Americans for the Arts website to send a letter to your Representative to show your appreciation for the House passing the HEROES bill, and request your Senators to take action immediately.
On October 1, the U.S. House passed a “skinny” version of the HEROES Act (which the House originally passed in May). This $2.2 trillion bill included provisions that are greatly needed by the arts and culture sector such as:
$135 million each for the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services for grants to support the general operations of recipients and language to permit the waiver of matching requirements.
A second round of Payroll Protection Program (PPP), loans of up to $2 million for certain hard-hit businesses; a set aside 30 percent of PPP funds for nonprofits of all sizes and types to receive first-time PPP loans; and a streamlined loan forgiveness process with an expanded list of allowable uses for the funds that would qualify for forgiveness. The PPP program provided at least $13 billion to the nation's creative economy so far, including $1.8 billion for nonprofit arts organizations directly.
$10 billion for grants to live independent venue operators, including non-profit, government and for-profit owned or operated venues, modeled on the "Save Our Stages Act."
Extension of weekly $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation for W2 and Self-employed workers through January 31, 2021, and a provision to support "mixed earners."

State-Wide Issues

Arizona Citizens for the Arts Advocacy Network

Arizona Citizens for the Arts Executive Director, Joseph Benesh talks with candidates for Arizona various state offices via Facebook on Q&Arts.   If you have a question you'd  like us to ask a candidate in your district, email sarahcirelli@azcitizensforthearts.org.

Let Arizona Legislators Know How COVID-19 Has Impacted Your Organization
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd95ocwuTCl0YIwsDxYxrbpnJFRXYH41RcdXP55OV_OkwRGNg/viewform
As you may be aware, the Arizona legislature passed a "skinny budget" on  March 23, 2020, which just included the “essential”.   Not included was funding for the Arizona Commission on the Arts.   When the legislators return, they will be working on a full budget.   The arts community will need to be  ready to provide facts and figures to ensure that the ACA funding is included.   Arizona Citizens for the Arts has created a survey for all arts and cultural organizations to complete so we can make the best possible case for ourselves.    

Thank the Arizona Congressional members for supporting the  Great American Outdoors Act
https://support.savingplaces.org/page/21026/action/1 
Signed into law on August 4, 2020, this Act provides the single largest federal investment in preservation of historic and cultural resources for public lands in our generation and ensure many of America's most iconic historic places are saved for generations to come. Along with the Arizona Preservation Foundation, over 850 preservation, business, outdoor, tourism, conservation, recreation, and hunting groups signed on to a letter to Congress urging the passage of this act.   Send a pre-formatted thank-you email through the National Trust for Historic Places website. [0807]