A Joint Statement from the Arts Education Alliance: Standing Together for Arts Education
As members of the Arts Education Alliance, we are closely monitoring recent policy developments that could impact arts educators and students nationwide. With discussions around the future of the U.S. Department of Education and the many federal granting programs we all rely on, our unified voice is more important than ever. We are committed to working together to protect funding, increase access, and advocate for policies that support arts educators.
Through these unknown times our collective mission and shared efforts remain clear. We are steadfast in our commitment to:
Ensure every student has access to a high-quality arts education as part of a well-rounded curriculum.
Support educators by advocating for the resources, materials, space, and time needed for meaningful learning.
Champion certified arts educators by urging districts to employ credentialed teachers and providing clear pathways for arts educators to obtain certification in their discipline.
We will keep you informed as we navigate these challenges together. In the meantime, we encourage you to stay engaged, connect with your professional association, and raise your voice in support of arts education.
(March 3, 2025)
Federal Funding to Support Arts Education
Arts education needs your support! Understanding federal funding for education and how to most effectively advocate can be challenging. The Arts Education Alliance has created resources to help arts education advocates understand federal funding and take action.
What is the Arts Education Alliance?
The Arts Education Alliance is a partnership between the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), the National Art Education Association (NAEA), the National Association for Media Arts Education (NAMAE), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). Officially announced in May, the Arts Education Alliance brings our organizations together to amplify the value of arts education through joint advocacy work.
Resources
Members
Educational Theatre Association
The Educational Theatre Association is an international nonprofit that serves as the professional association for theatre educators, inspiring them to deliver equitable, transformative learning experiences for all.
National Art Education Association (NAEA)
Founded in 1947, the National Art Education Association is the leading professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts, design, and media arts education professionals.
National Association for Media Arts Education (NAMAE)
We are the National Association for Media Arts Education (NAMAE). Our purpose is to advance and promote standards of excellence in media arts education; provide the media arts student, educator and community of stakeholders a system of resources and support through advocacy, research, programs, and initiatives that focus on the importance of media arts in the human experience.
National Dance Education Association (NDEO)
The National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) is a non-profit organization that supports dance educators in every setting and genre. We are dedicated to advancing dance education for people of all backgrounds.
National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
NAfME is a collaborative community that supports music educators and advocates for equitable access to music education. With more than 57,000 members teaching millions of students, NAfME advances the music education profession and promotes lifelong experiences in music.