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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. As civic-minded, community-based organizations, America’s adult and youth orchestras can help to improve access to the benefits of music learning by advocating for school systems to close gaps in access to a complete education. Find resources here on the importance of music education and how your orchestra can advocate for it on the local, state, and federal level.

Orchestras Support In-School Music Education Read article

Advocacy

Orchestras Support In-School Music Education

The public education system can uniquely broaden or narrow countless opportunities for each generation. Unfortunately, research continues to point to ongoing barriers to student achievement in the arts, with significant racial/ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic gaps in access to a complete arts education.
Orchestras Support In-School Music Education READ MORE

Advocacy

Music Education Advocacy Tools

Orchestras are committed to improving music education opportunities in local schools. Consider using these national resources to support your advocacy at the local level.

Advocacy

U.S. Department of Education Funding Opportunities

The U.S. Department of Education is charged with promoting educational excellence throughout the nation. Federal law recognizes the arts as a core subject of learning. As local partners in music education, orchestras should be aware of the direct and indirect funding opportunities available from the U.S. Department of Education.
Take Action: Music Education Read article

Advocacy

Take Action: Music Education

As local partners in music education, orchestras advocate for all students to have access to a complete arts education in the schools. At the federal level, orchestras are seeking increased funding for arts education and better data collection at the U.S. Department of Education.
Take Action: Music Education READ MORE
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Music Education Advocacy News

  • Advocacy

    November 30, 2023

    Urge Your Representative to Cosign a Letter Urging Improved Access to Arts Education

    Please take a moment to urge your member of the U.S. House of Representatives to cosign a letter organized by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (OR) and Chellie Pingree (ME) to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona urging the Department to take action to track and improve the status of arts education in our schools.

  • Advocacy

    October 6, 2023

    Urge Congress to Support FY24 Arts Funding!

    With just hours left on the clock last weekend, the U.S. Congress managed to pass a 45-day continuing resolution that prevented a shutdown of the federal government. However, the upheaval in the leadership of the House majority makes for an uncertain path toward finding a funding compromise before the threat of a shutdown looms once again.

  • Advocacy

    September 26, 2023

    Autumn Policy Updates: Shutdown Prospects and More

    In This Issue: Deadline Looms for Federal Funding Agreement; Polling Data Shows Strong Support for Universal Charitable Deduction; U.S. Department of Labor Proposes Updated Overtime Rules; Take Action! Strengthening Federal Arts Education Policy; SBA Continues Shuttered Venue Grant Closeout; IRS Issues ERTC Moratorium

  • Advocacy

    November 21, 2022

    Post-Election Update and Peek at 2023

    In This Issue: Short-term Priorities for Year-End Legislating, Prepare for 2023 and Beyond, and Odds and Ends

  • Advocacy

    July 1, 2022

    Sizzling Summer Policy Updates

    In This Issue: NEA and Arts Education Funds Increase for Fiscal Year 2022; Continued Calls for Relief as Research Charts COVID-19's Impact on the Arts; League Speaks Up on Travel with Musical Instruments; Charitable Giving and Nonprofit Sector Take the Spotlight in Senate Hearing

  • Advocacy

    February 14, 2022

    Latest Arts Policy News

    In This Issue: Act Now: ERTC Reinstatement Gaining Support; States Now Processing FEMA Safe Opening Assistance; U.S. Copyright Office Opens Talks on 'Bots'; Shuttered Venue Grants in Action Nationwide; NEA American Rescue Plan Grants to Aid 24 Orchestras; New Engagement by U.S. Department of Education on Arts Learning; Engaging International Artists? Explore Consular Waivers, Confirm Approved Vaccines

  • Education & Community Engagement

    September 1, 2021

    Join in Supporting National Arts in Education Week!

    National Arts in Education Week takes place September 12 through 18 this year, and as always the League invites orchestras to join in celebrating and promoting the importance of music education that takes place within schools.

  • Education & Community Engagement

    March 2, 2021

    Tune in to Music Advocacy this Month and Beyond

    Given the extremely challenging learning circumstances amid the COVID-19 crisis, our collective commitment to improving music education opportunities in school for all children is stronger than ever.

  • Education & Community Engagement

    September 25, 2020

    Arts in Education Week, All Year Long

    While last week officially marked National Arts in Education Week, dedicated advocates know that school-based music education requires advocacy throughout the year. COVID-19 is disrupting how, where, and what students are learning in unprecedented ways, but the value of arts education remains high: Arts Education Is Essential.

  • Education & Community Engagement

    August 26, 2020

    Data Drives Decisions: Explore New Arts Education Data Toolkit

    For far too long, inadequate data about the state of arts education in schools has allowed structural inequities to persist, which has prevented many students from experiencing, learning about, and becoming practitioners of the arts in their schools. Earlier this month, the National Endowment for the Arts and Education Commission of the States released a new suite of resources that has been two years in the making–the Arts Education Data Toolkit.

See all Music Education News Items

Banner: 2018 Essentials of Orchestra Management Seminar. Photo: Agibail R. Collins Photography

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.

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