Arts Education Alliance Statement on U.S. Department of Education Program Transfers
The Arts Education Alliance is sounding the alarm over the Trump Administration’s recent decision to move several major U.S. Department of Education (ED) programs to other federal agencies through six new interagency agreements. Shifting these core responsibilities away from the nation’s primary education agency undermines stable, equitable access to learning opportunities for students across the country. …
The Arts Education Alliance firmly opposes the decision to transfer these programs. At a time when students need greater access to high-quality arts instruction, shifting programs away from the Department of Education jeopardizes the unified leadership that educators and families depend on and puts the future of equitable arts education at risk.
Read the full statement
(November 19, 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 2024, 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.