Help for artists from abroad

In an effort to cut through the tangle of red tape that faces foreign artists applying for visas to perform in the United States, the Washington, D.C., service and advocacy organization the Assn. of Performing Arts Presenters has launched Artists From Abroad, a Web site designed to help foreign artists navigate the complicated U.S. immigration and taxation processes, rendered even more complicated post-Sept. 11. The Web site www.artists fromabroad.org, launched Tuesday, was developed in partnership with the American Symphony Orchestra League, also based in Washington, and with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. Arts Presenters also is banding with other national arts service organizations to implement governmental policy changes that will facilitate cultural exchange.