THE ARTS

Visa Rules Changed: Congress has eased the severe restrictions on the number of foreign artists who may enter the United States to perform. A bill passed by the House and the Senate rescinds or modifies provisions of a 1990 immigration law under which only 25,000 foreign performers and other professionals could receive entry visas each year. The new measure was supported by a coalition of arts organizations who said the 1990 restrictive provisions had been passed without consulting the industry.