CREATE Art Act

HR 7918, the CREATE Art Act, establishes a federal grant program to support emerging artists in the U.S. It directly affects artists earning under $50,000 net annually from their art in the past five years (and under $400,000 total over 20 years). The bill provides four grant types: small "progress grants" ($2,000) for activities like recording or marketing; larger "project grants" ($100,000) for specific artistic projects; "live performance grants" ($35,000) with limits on domestic touring; and "development funds" ($10,000) for living expenses during creative work. Key provisions require grants to fund U.S.-based goods/services, prohibit record labels from receiving funds (though artists signed to labels can apply directly), and mandate prevailing wages, safe working conditions, and anti-discrimination protections for performers.