Reviving the Stage: The Bipartisan Push Behind the STAGE Act

Senator Peter Welch of Vermont has recently spearheaded the Supporting Theater and the Arts to Galvanize the Economy (STAGE) Act, a legislative proposal designed to breathe life into the struggling nonprofit theater sector across the United States. In a unified effort that transcends party lines, the STAGE Act garners backing from a diverse group of lawmakers, including Senators Blumenthal, Padilla, Fetterman, and Reed, alongside Congresswoman Bonamici. The coalition underscores a shared recognition of the arts’ vital role in both the economy and community cohesiveness.

During an event held in Burlington, Senator Welch illuminated the profound challenges that nonprofit theaters have faced in the wake of the pandemic. Substantial declines in revenue combined with surging production costs have left many of these cultural institutions on the brink. The STAGE Act proposes a comprehensive solution by creating a grant program under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. This program aims to allocate $1 billion annually to eligible theaters, endeavoring to stabilize and revitalize an industry critical to local economies and the national cultural fabric alike.

The proposal has resonated within the theater community, receiving endorsements from over 170 theaters nationally, along with broad support from several key arts organizations. By safeguarding the future of nonprofit theaters, the STAGE Act promises not only to sustain the industry’s economic viability but also to ensure the continued provision of educational and cultural opportunities for youth and communities across the country. Despite being in the preliminary stages of legislative process since its introduction in the House of Representatives, the positive reception among lawmakers hints at a promising path forward for the bill.