Resources: Advocacy

The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, a distraction, in the life of the nation, is close to the center of a nation's purpose - and is a test to the quality of a nation's civilization. - John F. Kennedy

The following list provides various links to information to help improve and enrich your local music program. Whether you're facing program cuts, or are seeking ways to bolster support for music and the arts in your school, these resources will get you started.

MMEA position statement (January 2003) relative to music as a basic part of every child's education. Use this statement as a guide to communicate a consistent and clear message to your legislators!

Advocacy Workbook for Music Education (3.1 MB, PDF). This workbook, compiled by Advocacy Chair Doug Orzolek, is a great tool for teachers or local advocates who want an overview of recent research, ideas about how to get started with local advocacy, and many additional resources in support of music education in schools.

Links to Music and Arts Advocacy Sites

SupportMusic.com (check out links for Take Action and Build Your Case)

ImagineNation and Arts Education Partnership (see FAQs on arts education and innovative workforce)

American Music Conference (check out Music Research and Music Education sections)

The Sounds of Learning (research project at University of North Carolina Greensboro)

Dana Consortium (brain research - Learning, Arts and the Brain)

Music Friends Advocacy (MENC)

The National Association of State Boards of Education released a report (October 2003) called The Complete Curriculum, which concludes that "arts and foreign language instruction has been marginalized and is increasingly at risk of being completely eliminated as part of the public schools' core curriculum. With most states emphasizing accountability in only a few academic subjects, --- primarily reading, math, and science --- there is a growing fear that schools are narrowly focusing on those subjects at the expense of other important components of a comprehensive education, such as the arts and humanities. The report provides a look at the state of arts and foreign language instruction across the country, a review of the overall benefits of arts and language study, and recommendations for policymakers on how to ensure a complete curriculum in schools." The report is available here for $14.00 (32pp.)

The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies in collaboration with Arts Education Partnership has published Critical Evidence: How the Arts Benefit Student Achievement (2006). To order copies, please visit http://www.nasaa-arts.org/publications/critical-evidence.shtml.