Creative Michigan Advocate May 2023 Digest

Michigan’s source for arts + creative industries advocacy.
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Federal Legislative Updates & Action Items

Ask your U.S. Senators to Co-Sponsor the Charitable Act!

Contact Your U.S. Senators!

More Reasons to Support:

The deduction in the bill would be in effect for taxable years 2023 and 2024 and indexed for inflation.
Ensure that taxpayers can support missions they care about without hurting their pocketbook.

Charitable Giving Deductions

On May 17, the bi-partisan Charitable Act - H.R. 3435 was introduced in the House. Join United Philanthropy Forum in encouraging your U.S. Senators to co-sponsor the legislation. Fill out this pre-filled form to send Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters your message.

Why Support the Charitable Act?

To restore the non-itemizer charitable deduction and raise the caps from $300 for individuals/$600 for joint filers to one-third of the standard deduction.
In 2023, this change would allow taxpayers who don’t itemize to claim a deduction for charitable giving up to approximately $4,600 for individuals/$9,200 for joint filers, in addition to claiming the standard deduction itself.

Ask your U.S. Senators to Co-Sponsor
the Workers Pilot Program Act!

Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act

Ask your U.S. Senators to support Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) in co-sponsoring S.3674, a bi-partisan bill soon to be introduced in the Senate designed to provide benefits to independent gig workers.

Why Support the Workers Pilot Program Act?

provides federal grants to states to develop their own portable benefits program.
Allow contract workers (artists/gig workers) to access benefits like health insurance and paid leave without being tied to one single employer.

Contact Your U.S. Senators!

Grantmakers in the Arts has more on this piece of legislation and its impact on gig workers' portable benefits.

Not sure how to write a letter to your senator? Learn how!

Updates: Creative Economy Bill Reintroductions

Reintroductions: Ask your Federal Representatives to Cosponsor these Following Three Bills!

This month, the PLACE Act and CREATE Act are anticipated to be reintroduced in the House.

Need a refresher?

The PLACE Act supports workers and small businesses in creative industries by increasing federal resources and expanding federal benefits for those using creativity and skill in their employment.
The CREATE Act provides support to State, regional and local art agencies, artists and creative workers through economic development tools.
The Advancing Equity Through Arts and Humanities Act was reintroduced May 11. Find updated bill language.

Image Courtesy of Be an Arts Hero

Contact Your U.S. Representatives!

Organizations: Sign-On Letter to Support FY24
Federal Funding for Arts in Juvenile Justice

Organizations/Local Arts Agencies: Show your Support for Arts in Juvenile Justice!

Congress will negotiate funding levels for the next fiscal year, including for the "Arts Programs for Justice-Involved Youth" in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The program needs more resources to meet national demand, as evidenced by over 100 applicants for only three awards in FY22.

Click the button to the right to add your signature to a letter urging Congress to expand funding for the arts in juvenile justice during FY24. Over 100 organizations from 34 states signed in 2022 thus far. The letter demonstrates widespread backing for the use of arts in juvenile justice settings and will impact funding decisions.

Photo Credit The Children's Prison Art Project

Sign the Letter Here!

Statewide Updates, Events & Action Items

Submit a Nomination for the 2023 Governor's Service Awards

The Michigan Community Service Commission is encouraging nominations for the Governor's Service Award. These prestigious awards recognize individuals and organizations for their tremendous volunteer and philanthropic efforts. The award ceremony pays tribute to those whose efforts inspire and promote the spirit of volunteerism and giving through their exemplary endeavors. Nominations are due by June 16. Learn more!

Surveys, Reports, Reading, Watching & Listening

Pictured Above: Arts Midwest Podcast Episode & Michigan Stories logo

New Podcast Series: "Digging into the Indian Arts and Crafts Act by Arts Midwest"

Take a listen.

"MI:Stories" - Michigan Humanities' Podcast & Blog Listen to episodes here.

Pandemic Relief is Ending, and What is Means to Nonprofits and Foundations Read more.

SMU Data Arts - "Study Finds Local Arts Agencies are Catalysts for Art Vibrancy" Read the report.

Michigan Nonprofit Association - "Reflections on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" Read more.

Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation 2020-2024 Strategic Plan Read more.

National & Statewide Grants

National

June 2 Deadline! GRAMMY Museum Grants Program
June 2 Deadline! Art Fluent Evolution Grant for all Fine Art Mediums
June 28 Deadline! National Endowment for the Humanities Public Impact Projects at Smaller Organizations
Now Open! July 6 Deadline! National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grants for Arts Projects
August 4 Deadline! National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Our Town Grant
Rolling Application! Microsoft's Nonprofit Tech Accelerator for Black and African American Communities Program

State of Michigan/Regional

**Due Today, June 1! Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) FY24 Grants
Deadline June 20! Springboard for the Arts - Rural Regenerator Fellowship
New! Apply by June 23! The Michigan Impact Grant for Nonprofits
Deadline June 30! Michigan Rising Leaders Program
Now Open! Due Aug. 3! MACC Arts in Education Grant, Bus Grant & K-12 Equipment & Supplies Grant
Michigan Economic Development Corporation "Match on Main" Program
Bridging Michigan Grants - for Projects (up to $1,500)
Now Open! Apply by Sept. 7! Michigan Humanities - Fall Humanities Grants (up to $20,000)

Additional Resources

AFTA's Arts Action Center Legislation Tracker provides updates on current creative economy state and house legislation.
Americans for the Arts (AFTA) is the nation's hub for arts legislation and advocacy.
Arts Administrators of Color is a service organization with a focus on networking and community building through the arts.
ArtsBlog (AFTA) provides regularly published blog entries exploring trends and news in the field.
Arts Midwest offers regional advocacy updates, grants and resources.
ArtsU is an advocacy-focused sub-group housed under Americans for the Arts.
Be An Arts Hero advocates for the arts and creative economy in Congress.
Bill Track 50 is a search engine for state legislation.
Creative Washtenaw's Resources for Artists, Creative Workers + Businesses offers grant opportunities, membership organizations, clubs, funding and resources to artists and creatives in the region and beyond.
CultureSource Resources & Grants offers regional funding and grant opportunities including CultureSource-managed grants, external grants and open calls throughout Southeast Michigan.
DataArts conducts rigorous national research using evidence-based insights needed to collectively build strong, vibrant and equitable arts communities.
Join the Arts Action Fund for free.
The Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan (CAN) serves as the collective voice for cultural organizations in Michigan, leading education and advocacy efforts across the state.
Michigan Nonprofit Association serves nonprofits in the state through public policy, civic engagement resources and more.
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies provides federal updates, alerts and issue briefs for NASAA members.
National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) advocates for independent venues nationwide.
Northwest Michigan Arts & Culture Network is an arts and cultural service organization that serves individuals and organizations in the Northern Lower Michigan region.
WAGEFORWORK.COM (4.0) fights for fair wage for artists and non-profit institutions and provides programs and resources that promote equitable wage distribution.
WESTAF (Western States Arts Federation) is a regional nonprofit arts service organization dedicated to strengthening the financial, organizational and policy infrastructure of the arts in the West.
WolfBrown's Audience Outlook Monitor is an international collaboration between top researchers, funders, service organizations and hundreds of cultural organizations that want to make informed decisions about how and when to re-start programming.

That's all for now. We'll be back next month! ✌️

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