March 31 & April 1, 2008: TCG and Other Arts Advocates Converged in Washington, D.C., for Arts Advocacy Day
Daniel Pink delivered the 21st Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture, which kicked off Arts Advocacy Day events on March 31st. Arts advocacy training workshops were the focus of the events on March 31st. There were legislative issue briefings on NEA appropriations, arts education funding, charitable tax incentives, improving the visa process for international artists, funding for cultural exchange and protecting performing arts technology that utilizes White Spaces.
The day for Hill visits was April 1st. Joining TCG staff in Washington, D.C., were Martha Lavey, Artistic Director, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago and Michael Ross, Managing Director, CENTERSTAGE, Baltimore, both of whom also serve on the TCG board of directors; Lynn Deering, Chair, CENTERSTAGE, Baltimore and Moya Vazquez, Trustee, Intiman Theatre, Seattle, who are both members of the TCG National Council for the American Theatre. Jennie Greer, Director of Institutional Advancement, New Dramatists, New York, rounded out our advocacy team. The TCG delegation met with Congressman John Sarbanes (D-3-MD), and arts staffers in the offices of Rep. Danny Davis (D-7-IL), Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Rep. Jim McDermott (D-7-WA), Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-8-NY) and Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY).
Members of Congress were urged to support an increase in the NEA’s appropriation and arts education funding within the U.S. Department of Education. Congress was asked to support legislation that will reduce the total processing times for O and P visa petitions filed by nonprofit arts organizations to a maximum of 45 days. Congress was urged to increase funding for cultural exchange through the State Department. Congress was also asked to reject the proposed funding cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in the FY 09 appropriations bill. Members of Congress were urged to support increased tax incentives for charitable giving – such as extending the IRA Rollover provision. Last, Congress was asked to urge the FCC Commissioner to provide adequate testing of new electronic devices so that they will not interfere with wireless microphone technology used in theatres.
April 1, 2008: House Approves Artist Visa Act!
On April 1, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to improve the artist visa process. The “Arts Require Timely Service (ARTS) Act” (HR 1312) is sponsored by Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) and 10 other bipartisan leaders, and would improve the reliability, efficiency and affordability of the artist visa process.
The legislation would require the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to treat as a Premium Processing case, free of any additional charge, any arts-related O and P visa petition that it fails to process within 30 days. The vote was taken under a process called “suspension of the rules,” which resulted in a successful voice vote, so no recorded vote was taken. Reps. John Conyers (D-MI), Dan Lungren (D-MA), and Lamar Smith (R-TX) spoke on the House Floor this afternoon in support of the ARTS Act while Rep. Steve King (R-IA) spoke in opposition of the bill.
The next step is for the legislation to be approved by the U.S. Senate. A similar bill, S. 2178 has already been introduced by Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT). We will keep you apprised of the progress of the legislation in the Senate. We are told that the legislation has a greater chance of passage by letting it move through the legislative process without “public” fanfare. So, no action is called for at the moment.
White Space and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – New Issue Update
What’s it all about? Soon, the television industry will transition to digital transmission, which potentially opens up certain “white spaces” in the broadcast spectrum. The computer industry is seeking a ruling from the FCC to allow new electronic hand-held devices, such as PDA’s, cordless phones and even newer technologies to operate in these frequencies. Performing arts venues have operated wireless microphones and audio systems in this “white space” spectrum for 35 years.
What’s the problem? The new electronic devices pose a threat to performing arts technology. There could be interference in our systems from these new devices. There are 3 uses of this wireless technology in the performing arts:
- Infrared technology used for hearing impaired patrons
- Amplification of performers’ voices, allowing unrestricted movement onstage along with sophisticated sound
- Communications backstage among stagehands
All of these uses could suffer interference from the new devices.
What’s happening now? The FCC is currently engaged in laboratory testing of new devices, to determine whether there is interference. The next phase of testing will be field testing.
On March 21, 2008, Google Inc. filed with the FCC an ex parte letter regarding its desire to use the TV “White Space” for mobile broadband services. The letter argues that there is “no risk” to enhancing the spectrum usage and “can provide huge economic and social gains if used more efficiently.” There is no assurance that their proposal will avoid interference with wireless microphones used in the performing arts. Adequate testing is still needed. The FCC has given no indication at this time when it may reach a decision on the rulemaking of unlicensed operation in the TV broadband.
What’s our ‘Ask’? Please urge your Member of Congress to instruct the FCC Chairman to preserve the ability of wireless microphones used in the performing arts to operate without interference. The FCC should be urged to conduct adequate testing before permitting new devices to operate in the White Space spectrum.
February 5, 2008: President Bush releases FY09 budget proposal
The Bush Administration’s FY 2009 budget proposal was released and includes a significant cut of $16.3 million in the NEA's appropriation from the agency’s FY08 approved budget of $144.7 million. The resulting figure, $128.4, is identical to the President’s FY08 budget request.
December 17, 2007: $20.3 million increase for NEA
Congress approved a $20.3 million increase in NEA funding for a total FY08 appropriation of $144.7 million. This is the single largest increase for the agency in 30 years. The Congressional Arts Caucus co-chairs Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT) rallied House colleagues in support of the NEA. Interior Appropriations Committee Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA) championed the NEA funding as a priority issue. The omnibus package also contained $2.16 million for an Arts in Education public elementary and secondary schools survey during the 2008-2009 school year. This will provide much-needed data about the status of arts education in the nation's schools. The spending package also contained $505 million for Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs within the State Department. This program will see a $59 million increase above last year's budget.