State Advocacy & Public Policy

What ESSA Waivers Could Mean for Music Education

Stay informed, read the waivers, and understand what is changing. Speak up about what those changes could mean to help strengthen music education in your schools and communities.

Virginia Music Educators Association Recognized with 2026 NAfME Excellence in Advocacy Award

VMEA’s work during the 2025–2026 school year demonstrates how strong partnerships, intentional advocacy, and unified messaging can drive meaningful change and expand equitable access to music education for all students.

Virginia Delegate Vivian Watts Honored with the NAfME 2026 Music Education Champion Award

NAfME recognizes Delegate Watts for her outstanding contributions to music and arts education in championing the Virginia bill resulting in the creation of the diploma seal for excellence in fine arts.

Collaboration in Arts Education Advocacy

In music education advocacy, we have seen firsthand the positive impact of sharing big ideas, dividing the workload, and coming together to achieve meaningful wins. Through the good, the bad, and the ugly, we have demonstrated the importance of leaning on and learning from one another.

Powering State-Level Progress: How Foundation Support Is Creating Advocacy Paths for Lasting Change in Arts Education Policy

Thanks to generous grants from the Music Man Foundation and the CMA Foundation, NAfME recently developed a new suite of free, downloadable state advocacy resources.

Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Recognized with 2025 NAfME Excellence in Advocacy Award

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Catherina Hurlburt CatherinaH@nafme.org or 703-860-4000 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Recognized with 2025 NAfME Excellence in Advocacy Award HERNDON, VA (June 16, 2025)—The National Association for Music…

Advocacy in Action: New Hampshire Advocates Work to Save Arts Education

Advocacy in Action New Hampshire Advocates Work to Save Arts Education By Jazzmone Sutton, NAfME Senior Manager for State Advocacy and Equity In 2022, the New Hampshire House of Representatives introduced…

Recap of the 2024 U.S. Election: Next Steps

Recap of the 2024 U.S. Election Next Steps By Zachary Keita, NAfME Public Policy and Advocacy Communications Manager On November 5, the last ballots in the 2024 general elections were…

Celebrating the Oklahoma Music Educators Association

Celebrating the Oklahoma Music Educators Association A Beacon of Advocacy and Resilience By Jazzmone Sutton, NAfME Senior Manager for State Advocacy and Equity We are thrilled to spotlight the Oklahoma…

Together in Advocacy

Together in Advocacy Ohio MEA’s Efforts to Strengthen Music Education across the State By Jazzmone Sutton, NAfME Senior Manager for State Advocacy and Equity In 2023, Danielle Shaub, Ohio Music…