Equity in the News Funding

But there will not be an industry to save unless attention is paid to the people who make theater possible: actors, stage managers, stagehands, musicians and more.

As Broadway artists buckle down for an extended period of unemployment, many arts workers around the country prepare for the same bumpy road. Just last month, the Broadway League announced that Broadway will remain closed through at least the rest of the year, meaning that performers, musicians, craftsmen, designers and more will remain out of work. That trend doesn't end in New York City.

The Broadway industry is relying on the passage of additional federal relief packages to sustain its workforce.

Actors' Equity Association released the following statement in response to media reports that Oregon legislators voted to distribute $50 million in federal relief funds to arts and cultural organizations in crisis during the coronavirus pandemic.

Following the Broadway League’s announcement extending Broadway’s closure through at least January 3, 2021, many other theaters, dance, and opera companies are following suit. Theater workers will most likely be out of work for the rest of the year; at least. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is set to expire on July 25, 2020. Everyone needs to reach out to their Senator to vote on extending the PUA weekly benefits through the end of the year as soon as they return to DC on July 20.

Actors' Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 actors and stage managers, has released the following statement in reaction to reports that Rep. Lorena Gonzalez and Rep. Christy Smith will seek $20 million in additional public arts funding for small nonprofits in the next budget.