Opera America has announced that it is committed to engaging the Biden-Harris Transition Team on several major issues essential for the arts community.

In a press release, the organization noted that it has engaged the transition team during the current lame-duck session with increased FY2021 appropriations for all federal arts and cultural-related programs, as well as initiatives to provide more pandemic relief to businesses, nonprofit organizations, states, local governments, schools, families, and individuals.

The company is also a signatory on a letter urging the Biden-Harris transition to rescind an executive order on race and sex stereotyping; this Executive Order (number 13950) aims “to combat offensive and anti-American race and sex stereotyping and scapegoating” and has been widely criticized by major institutions for how it essentially disrupts training and other diversity initiatives implemented by federal contractors. Additionally, Opera America has joined the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities to send a letter of opposition to the current presidential administration in order to get the order rescinded.

Opera America is also backing a signed letter of opposition sent to the U.S. House and Senate leadership with regards to the use of Form 3510 with regards to the Paycheck Protection Program and the challenges it poses to small businesses.

“The form is for nonprofit entities that secured loans of $2 million or more, and it must be submitted to the appropriate participating financial institution within 10 business days of receipt from the lender. The financial reporting required by the form is burdensome for nonprofit organizations, and the U.S. Small Business Administration may likely use this form in the future as part of its auditing requirements across all loan amounts under the Paycheck Protection Program,” says the press release.