Playbill: The Supporting Theater and the Arts to Galvanize the Economy (STAGE) Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate April 9 by a trio of U.S. Senators, all Democrats, including Peter Welch of Vermont, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and Jack Reed of Rhode Island. Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Democrat Representative Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon.
3 comments:
I hadn’t heard anything about the STAGE Act being introduced to the Senate this past week, and while I’m not surprised, I just wish there was more publicity in the arts community about it. I’ll be curious to see how far it makes, and if it will pass at all. The US has some of the lowest government funding for the arts out any first world country; though this $1 billion dollars would barely make a dent into that number. I do like the thought that it this legislation passes that it would create avenues to study how to ensure sustainability of US theatres. Even prior to the pandemic, theatres have been struggling financially, even the ones that outwardly appeared to be doing well. In the 2018-2019 season, I worked for a small, formerly midsized, regional theatre that had just come back from furloughing their entire staff the summer before. While there I saw the end of an Artistic Director’s ten year tenure. For the 2019-2020 season, until the pandemic hit, I worked for a major regional theatre that was only on the 2nd year of tenure of a new Artistic Director and a new Managing Director. Even though they outwardly appeared to be doing well, they were making budget cuts, and the pandemic only brought to the light some of the financial difficulties they were going through.
I've worked in a community theatre for much of my life, and I think this bill would be absolutely wonderful if passed. The quote of "a nation will be judged by the quality of its arts" resounds with the community theatre space that I grew up in, and I really believe in the transformative power of theatre to bring communities together. Working backstage in a local theatre, I know that money is incredibly tight, and so I can't stress enough how cool it would be to have even a little bit more funding. It would have a cascade effect of investing in communities as well, and would diversify the arts and culture of our nation. I think that this bill is a really wonderful idea, and that I would really like to see it get passed, although I know it will probably be shot down or lost in committee at some point.
It is fascinating how even now in 2024 we are still introducing legislation due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. but I am thrilled that legislation has been introduced to help support the arts. I have known that off Broadway shows have been struggling, and nonprofit is always difficult, especially in times of societal stress, but these theaters are a huge part of the life blood of Theatre. The Theaters that are Most in jeopardy are usually the ones who need saving the most. While I didn’t know most of the names in the article, I did recognize John Fetterman, since he was my first ever vote after I turned 18. And while I’m sure no politician is perfect, it was nice to see that a vote cast was not a vote wasted. With legislation both in The Senate and the House of Representatives, And with previous legislation, having already been passed, I’m hopeful, this new legislation will also be able to take life.
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