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Advocate

The League of American Orchestras is an indispensable voice and public policy advocate. In partnership with the broader arts and nonprofit sectors, we represent and engage orchestras in advocating for the value and values of the orchestral community with the White House, Congress, and federal agencies, And we support our members as they advocate in their own communities, at the local and state level.

Policy issues include equitable access to music education, arts funding, federal COVID relief for orchestras, visas for foreign guest artists, cultural exchange, travel with musical instruments, nonprofit tax issues, and more. We invite you to explore our many resources for telling your story and advocating for your orchestra with government, civic leaders, and community partners.

The League is a leading member of coalition effort that span the national arts and nonprofit sectors, including the Performing Arts Alliance, the Arts Education Partnership, National Council of Nonprofits, Music Education Policy Roundtable, Charitable Giving Coalition, and Independent Sector.

GET INVOLVED

Advocacy is most effective when it starts at the community level.

  • Telling Your Story

  • Policy Advocacy 101

    If you are involved in an orchestra in any capacity, being an effective public policy advocate is essential to protecting the future of orchestras.

  • Key Policy Issues

    See all the major issue areas impacting orchestras and learn about ways to show your support.

  • Engage With Policymakers

    From face-to-face encounters with your representatives to sending an email, your voice makes a difference!

Music Education Advocacy Read article

Advocacy

Music Education Advocacy

The status of music education in our nation’s schools has short- and long-term consequences for both student achievement and the future of orchestras. Research has proven that arts education, including music education, uniquely provides academic and social benefits, preparing students for success in school, work, and life.
Music Education Advocacy READ MORE

Advocacy

Tax and 501(c)3 Policy

Orchestras are tax-exempt organizations and are part of the nation’s nonprofit charitable sector working to improve the quality of life in communities nationwide.  Orchestral activity is supported by an important combination of public volunteerism, private philanthropy, and civic support that is made possible by virtue of tax exempt status. In the links below, the League …

NEA Funding

NEA Funding

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) promotes creativity and public access to the arts in communities across the country through direct grants to arts organizations, state funding partnerships, and national initiatives.

Resources

COVID-19

COVID-19 Federal Assistance

Community by community, the impact of COVID-19 is variable and rapidly changing. The League of American Orchestras has been a leading voice as orchestras join advocates in the arts and nonprofit sectors nationwide seeking federal relief that will protect their substantial workforce and safeguard their essential service to communities in the wake of unprecedented closures …
COVID-19 Federal Assistance READ MORE

Learn Governance

April 23, 2020

Public Value Toolkit

The stakes have never been higher for America’s nonprofit orchestras to effectively convey how they are serving their communities. Today’s philanthropic and public decision-makers want to see and understand how orchestras are meeting the needs all residents of their local communities.

Advocacy

Playing Your Part

If you are involved in an orchestra in any capacity, and you care about the future of your orchestra and the community it serves, being an effective public policy advocate is essential. Through the guide Playing Your Part, the League offers simple, easy-to-read advice on how to get engaged in the policy process and build successful relationships with policymakers.

Advocacy News

The League’s team in Washington, D.C. is monitoring all of the latest policy developments, from key votes ahead that need your voice to newly-approved policies that will affect your orchestra’s day-to-day operations. Find here our advocacy updates and latest calls to action.

Advocacy News and Alerts

Get Involved: Boise Phil, Meet the Brass in September 2020. Photo: Chris Thometz

Contact Congress

Raising your voice about key issues before Congress is essential. Contacting Congress is easy to do, and your communication with elected officials will ensure that communities nationwide continue to benefit from orchestral music.

Show Your Support