Search Results for keywords:"Native Arts

The Department of Education is inviting applications for the 2021 fiscal year for the Assistance for Arts Education (AAE) Program. The program aims to enhance arts education for students, especially those who are disadvantaged or have disabilities, by providing professional development for educators, developing arts-based educational resources, and fostering arts partnerships in communities. Eligible applicants include local education agencies, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations among others. The Department has set aside an estimated $16.5 million for this program, with awards ranging from $375,000 to $2 million.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has issued a notice about its systems of records, as required by the Privacy Act of 1974. This update outlines changes in record systems and introduces new routine uses for the stored data, aiming to ensure that individuals can request information with accuracy and precision. The document also details various systems related to grants, personnel, finances, and complaint case files, specifying how these records are stored, accessed, and maintained. The changes reflect the adoption of electronic technology and administrative updates within the agency.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has issued a final rule to adjust the maximum civil monetary penalties for specific violations to account for inflation, in compliance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. Effective January 13, 2025, these adjustments apply to penalties under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act and Restrictions on Lobbying. The penalties are calculated based on a specific Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) multiplier. This rule ensures that the penalties remain effective deterrents without any need for public comment, as established by the requirements of the 2015 Act.

The Department of State has updated the Exchange Visitors Skills List, which identifies countries that need people with certain specialized skills. This list is used to see if someone in the U.S. on a "J" nonimmigrant exchange visa must spend two years in their home country before applying for other U.S. visas. This updated list replaces the previous version from 2009 and incorporates factors like a country’s GDP and migration rates to decide which skills are necessary. This list helps with U.S. foreign policy and doesn't require the usual public comment process due to its relation to foreign affairs.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is adjusting the maximum civil monetary penalties (CMPs) according to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. These adjustments ensure that penalties for violations of the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act (PFCRA) and Restrictions on Lobbying continue to reflect inflation and maintain their deterrent effect. The new penalties are based on the Consumer Price Index and are effective for violations assessed after January 15, 2021. The inflation-adjusted penalties are now set at $11,802 for false claims under the PFCRA and range from $20,720 to $207,314 for lobbying restrictions violations.

In January 2021, the President sent a special message to Congress, proposing the rescission of $27.4 billion in budget authority from various federal programs. The message highlights efforts to cut unnecessary or wasteful spending, particularly in areas like foreign aid, energy, and educational exchanges. The proposed cuts would impact numerous departments and agencies, including Agriculture, Energy, and State, as well as international aid programs. If enacted, these rescissions would aim to reduce the federal budget deficit and encourage alternative funding sources for affected programs.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced the adjusted maximum and minimum civil penalties for violating its New Restrictions on Lobbying. These adjustments are required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. The new penalties, effective from January 15, 2021, to January 14, 2022, range from a minimum of $20,731 to a maximum of $207,314. The adjustments ensure that the penalty amounts keep pace with inflation, as mandated by the 2015 Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking to renew its information collection process for the Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp contests without any changes. These programs, which began in the 1930s and 1990s respectively, help preserve habitats and promote conservation education through art contests that allow participants to submit duck-themed artwork. The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is open to adults, while the Junior Duck Stamp Contest is for students in kindergarten to grade 12, and both programs have contributed significantly to wildlife habitat conservation efforts. The Service is requesting public comments on the collection process to ensure it minimizes burdens and serves its intended purpose.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval of a new web form that museum and library awardees can use to request advance or reimbursement payments. This request is part of a program aimed at reducing the burden of collecting information, both in terms of time and financial resources, and ensuring the data is collected in a useful and clear format. The public is invited to submit comments on this proposal by February 10, 2021, focusing on the necessity, burden, and utility of the information collection. This effort supports the agency's mission to empower libraries and museums across the nation through thoughtful grant-making and policy development.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is asking for public comments on a planned data collection effort aimed at supporting their Learning Agendas for Libraries and Museums. This initiative is part of their ongoing efforts to minimize paperwork and reduce the burden on respondents. The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the necessity and utility of the data collection, its estimated burden, and how the process can be improved. Comments are welcomed until January 2, 2025, and can be submitted online or by mail.