Combined Omnibus Bill and Economic Aid Act Provide $2.3 trillion in COVID Relief

After months of start and stop legislative action, a $2.3 trillion package was enacted into law on Dec 27, 2020 that included $900 billion for the COVID Economic Aid Act, coupled with $1.4 trillion for the Omnibus Annual Appropriations bill. There were numerous provisions for arts advocates to celebrate, all of which had been vigorously pursued since the passage of the CARES Act in March 2020.

The enacted legislation included many economic relief programs for artists, gig workers, nonprofit, governmental, and commercial arts organizations. On the relief side, it extended pandemic unemployment benefits and eligibility for gig workers through March 14, 2021. The federal package also provided a second direct stimulus payment of $600 for qualifying taxpayers, as well as a second draw for Paycheck Protection forgivable loans and the creation of a $15 billion new source of economic relief for live performing arts venues, entitled “Shuttered Venue Operations Grants” (SVOG) through the Small Business Administration.

There were also arts wins for annual appropriation items. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and NEH each received a $5.25 million increase and important waivers for pre-existing and new grants to be given flexibility to use the funds for general operating support with no matching requirement.

Looking forward, the new Biden Administration has proposed an additional $1.9 trillion in COVID economic relief through the “American Rescue Plan.” This bill features major investments in state and local governments, education, broadband, food security, as well as an extension of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance through August 31, 2021, while also adding supplemental funds for PPP, SVOG, NEA, NEH, and IMLS.

For details, visit bit.ly/COVIDArtsUpdate.