The coronavirus pandemic has battered a lot of industries. In a bid to provide at least some relief to millions of Americans now facing uncertainty, including those in the entertainment sector, the United States Senate passed a stimulus bill worth $2.2 trillion, with $25 million going to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The Kennedy Center had closed its doors to the public last Mar. 13 in to help stem the rise of coronavirus infections. The closure has now been extended all the way to May 10. The Kennedy Center’s initial plan was to cancel performances only until Mar. 31.
According to WTOP, the Kennedy Center was initially meant to receive $35 million before it was lowered to the current $25 million.
There are certain strings attached to the $25 million given to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Its Board of Trustees has been required by the United States House of Representatives and Senate to come up with detailed reports that are to be submitted to the Appropriations committees of both Houses of Congress. The reports should lay out how the $25 million was distributed and used.
In a statement, the Kennedy Center thanked Congress for recognizing their “unique status.” The Center said the funding will be a great help in them reopening their doors and stages as soon as possible.
The Kennedy Center is not the only cultural institution receiving money from the nearly 900-page bill. According to NPR, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts will both receive $75 million. Meanwhile, $7.5 million has been set aside for the Smithsonian Institution.
Aside from the closure of cultural establishments, the coronavirus outbreak has also resulted in several events being canceled or postponed.
Some of the events that have been postponed include Coachella, BTS’s Map of the Soul tour, the Met Gala, the Cannes Film Festival, and the UEFA Champions League.
Both the Cannes Film Festival and UEFA Champions League postponements are expected, as Europe is currently tackling 195,511 total COVID-19 infections. The Met Gala was forced to postpone after the Metropolitan Museum of Art had to shut its doors.
Just yesterday, BTS’s agency, Big Hit Entertainment, confirmed that all dates in the band’s North American tour will be rescheduled. The company’s statement was released on the app Weverse and said that the decision was made so that the safety of everyone involved is taken into account.
Of these five events, only one has come up with new dates. Rather than its original April date, Coachella will now be held from Oct. 9 to 11 and Oct. 16 to 18.