A persuasive advocate should be up to date on the key issues affecting the opera sector.

Read the latest news on advocacy efforts prepared by OPERA America's Director of Government Affairs — and check back for regular updates.

Review the key issues affecting opera and the arts with downloadable briefs prepared by the Cultural Action Group.

Advocacy Update

Issued March 27, 2025

URGENT - IMLS Update

From our colleagues at The American Alliance of Museums - Representatives Dina Titus (NV-01) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) are circulating a letter for other members of the House of Representatives to sign onto asking the Administration to reconsider the executive order that guts the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).  Please CALL your members of the House of Representatives to ask them to sign onto the letter. The deadline for members of Congress to sign onto the letter is end of day Friday, March 28 so calling will be the best option given the short turnaround time.  AAM has created a draft script you may use.  Type in your address to display your House member's phone number.

For more actions you can take and advocacy resources from the AAM visit the resources here.

U.S. Visa Process Updates

Processing times are longer and scrutiny at borders is stricter. Visa preparations for international guest artists require careful attention to detail. 

• The League of American Orchestra's website Artists from Abroad, provides essential tips, templates, and updates for seeking the O and P visas required for artists
• Tamizdat, a nonprofit organization that facilitates and advocates for international cultural mobility and exchange, recently created a FAQ: traveling to the US right now and will be updating it regularly.
• The Department of Homeland Security has ordered the closure of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Ombudsman’s office, which advocates for agency improvements. We encourage keeping your members of Congress up to date on the need to support international cultural activity.

Issued March 21, 2025

President Trump Signs Executive Order Aimed at Eliminating the Department of Education

On March 20, President Trump signed a long-awaited executive order that seeks to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. The EO directs Secretary McMahon to take “all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities.” It also calls for the “uninterrupted delivery of services, programs and benefits on which Americans rely” and directs Secretary McMahon to work with Congress on a plan to transfer federal education programs and their funding to other agencies. While these actions signal a significant shift in federal education policy, it’s important to remember that fully dismantling a federal agency requires congressional approval.

Update courtesy of Zachary Keita at the National Association for Music Education

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released workplace DEI-related technical assistance documents 

On Thursday, March 20, the EEOC and the DOJ released a joint one-page technical assistance document, “What To Do If You Experience Discrimination Related to DEI at Work.” The EEOC also released a longer question-and-answer technical assistance document, “What You Should Know About DEI-Related Discrimination at Work.” Both documents are based on Title VII, existing EEOC policy guidance and technical assistance documents and Supreme Court precedent. 

Key Advocacy Issues

Prepare to take action by reviewing the key issues with downloadable briefs prepared by the Cultural Action Group.