For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Catherina Hurlburt
CatherinaH@nafme.org or 571-323-3396

CMA Foundation and NAfME Announce
2020 State Advocacy Award Grant Winners

RESTON, VA (July 20, 2020) — In collaboration with the Country Music Association (CMA) Foundation, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) announces the 2020 recipients of the State Music Education Association Advocacy Grant Awards. These grants support the work of NAfME federated music education associations (MEAs) by augmenting existing advocacy initiatives and creating new advocacy opportunities. This year, three MEAs were selected for grants to aid their advocacy efforts:

• North Dakota Music Educators Association
• North Carolina Music Educators Association
• Kansas Music Educators Association

This year’s grant awardees put forth compelling and interesting proposals to bolster their advocacy initiatives, including starting a statewide Advocacy Leadership Force (ALF) modeled after the NAfME ALF; bringing tailored advocacy training to members; and bringing an Advocacy Day to a state capitol. NAfME is proud to work with the CMA Foundation on this effort.

“Advocacy will now be more important than ever in bringing music education to students, and it’s one of the best things a NAfME federated MEA can undertake.”

“We were thrilled to see so many states submit innovative and creative applications, even in the face of such troubling times,” said Christopher Woodside, NAfME Interim Executive Director. “Advocacy will now be more important than ever in bringing music education to students, and it’s one of the best things a NAfME federated MEA can undertake. Our MEAs have already accomplished so much for music education during these times, and we are so grateful to the CMA Foundation for giving our state music education associations this opportunity to accomplish even more for music education.”

“Now more than ever, it is imperative for music educators to advocate on behalf of both themselves and their students. At a time when crucial decisions are being made, these advocacy grants allow the voices of music educators to be heard in the important discussions taking place at the state level regarding education,” said Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “Through our partnership, the CMA Foundation and NAfME will continue to champion music educators across the country and provide them with the resources and tools to continue to advocate for music’s role in a well-rounded education.”

###

 

About the CMA Foundation

Established in 2011 as the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association (CMA), the CMA Foundation is committed to improving and sustaining music education programs across the United States, working to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music education. Through strategic partnerships, professional development and grant distribution, the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), has invested more than $27 million across the national public school system, after school programs, summer camps and community outreach organizations. Guided by the generosity of the Country Music community, proceeds from CMA Fest, the four-day long music festival held annually in Nashville, are used to power the CMA Foundation’s social impact and unique model of giving. For more information visit CMAfoundation.org.

National Association for Music Education, among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. With more than 60,000 members teaching millions of students nationwide, the organization is the national voice of music education in the United States.

Follow NAfME on Twitter (twitter.com/nafme) and on Facebook (facebook.com/nafme). For additional information, contact Catherina Hurlburt at catherinah@nafme.org or 571-323-3395.