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 senior manager of government affairs and civic practice — 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 Updates

Issued September 12, 2025

National Arts Education Week and FY26 Appropriations Process Update

Established by congressional resolution in 2010, National Arts in Education Week takes place September 14 – 20. This week is a fantastic opportunity to reach out to your member of Congress as negotiations for fiscal year 2026 continue and reiterate why federal funding is essential for arts education. The NEA is the largest funder of arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. Take action for the NEA and utilize Americans for the Arts' toolkit for National Arts Education Week! 

American Alliance of Museums and Coalition Partners File Amicus Brief to Protect IMLS from Unlawful Dismantling

AAM and a broad coalition of leading library, museum, and cultural organizations, along with the nation's largest labor union of cultural workers, filed an amicus brief in Rhode Island v. Trump, urging the First Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold an injunction against the administration's unlawful attempt to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through an Executive Order. The coalition emphasized that refusing to spend congressionally appropriated funds undermines vital public services and threatens communities nationwide.  Read the Full Press Release.

On September 11, 2025, the court ruled the injunction will stay in place, keeping IMLS open while the case continues to move through the court system.

Update courtesy of the American Alliance of Museums

Consular Interviews Now Take Place in Country of Residence

Effective September 6, 2025, the Department of State has updated its instructions for all nonimmigrant visa applicants scheduling visa interview appointments:

• Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant O and P visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.

• Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere.  The State Department has published a list of those designated locations.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying, if the place of application is based on their residency. Also, according to the latest State Department announcement, “Applicants who schedule nonimmigrant interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of their country of nationality or residence might find that it will be more difficult to qualify for the visa.  Fees paid for such applications will not be refunded and cannot be transferred.”  

Update courtesy of Artists from Abroad

Issued September 5, 2025

USCIS to allow payments of filing fees, services via direct debit payments

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it will discontinue accepting paper check and money order payments after Oct. 28, 2025, and will accept only ACH debit transactions from a U.S. bank account using a new Form G-1650, or credit card payments using the existing Form G-1450. Effective immediately, the new ACH debit payment option is available by completing and signing Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions, and filing it with petitions. Applicants may alternatively choose the existing option of paying by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. The ACH transaction process is reflected in updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual. According to USCIS, “applicants and petitioners should ensure their accounts have sufficient funds to cover all filing fees. USCIS may reject any application, petition, or request if the transaction is denied. If you do not have a U.S. bank account you cannot use Form G-1650, but you may submit, and use prepaid credit cards to pay filing fees.”

Update courtesy of Artists from Abroad

Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Budget Proposal and Arts Education

Earlier this week the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies met to vote on the FY26 bill. Unlike the Senate bill which kept Education funding almost entirely at or above FY24 levels, the House bill would cut funding for the U.S. Department of Education by more than $12 billion (11%) below the FY 2024 funding level. The bill includes a reduction of $5.2 billion (27%) in funding for Title I. Additionally, it would restrict funding related to critical race theory and prevent policies or programs aimed at promoting diversity, equity, or inclusion. However, the House bill does not incorporate the administration’s proposals to establish a substantial K-12 block grant or to make changes to Title I and IDEA. Further details on all the education programs in the House bill will not be available until after the full committee markup next week.  

You can take action now with our coalition partners in the Arts Education Alliance through their campaign for FY 2026 federal funding!

Key Advocacy Issues

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