Strengthening Arts Education at the State Level: MAESTRO Act Resources

Arts education plays a crucial role in students’ well-being, boosting academic performance, life skills, and opening doors to both personal and professional opportunities. Yet nearly 4 million students in the U.S. still lack access to music and arts education in schools.

Thanks to generous support from the Music Man Foundation and the CMA Foundation, NAfME is proud to present a new toolkit designed to help advocates nationwide push for change in their states. Developed as part of our Advocacy Leadership Initiative, this resource includes a state model legislation for arts education, a strategic plan for state-level advocacy, and an infographic on the benefits of music education and strategies for expanding arts education access.

Together, these resources are designed to empower advocates in strengthening arts education policies at the state level. Created in collaboration with Center Road Solutions, these evidence-based tools provide a comprehensive framework for engaging policymakers, building coalitions, and driving impactful legislative change. Whether your goal is to draft state legislation, organize advocacy campaigns, or simply raise awareness, these resources offer a practical and flexible starting point.

The MAESTRO Act: A Path to Stronger Arts Education

The Mandating Arts Education Standards, Training, and Resources Overall (MAESTRO) Act seeks to ensure that all students, regardless of where they live, have access to a well-rounded education that includes the arts. The legislation focuses on six key areas:

1. Overall Funding Stream: Establishes a dedicated funding stream for arts education programs in elementary and secondary schools.
2. Instructional Requirements: Mandates music education instructional requirements for K-8th grade (or Pre-Kindergarten, as appropriate to your state’s system).
3. High School Graduation: Defines high school graduation requirements specifically for arts education, including music.
4. State Designated Diploma Seal: Creates a State-designated diploma seal for high school graduates who demonstrate a high level of achievement in arts education.
5. Licensure Requirements: Addresses arts education licensure requirements for both arts educators and non-arts educators.
6. Workforce Development: Develops a workforce development grant program aimed at supporting and recruiting arts educators.

By addressing these critical priorities, the MAESTRO Act works to create a more equitable, accessible, and high-quality arts education system for every student.

How to Use These Resources

• State Model Legislation: This adaptable blueprint provides a flexible framework for introducing the MAESTRO Act’s arts education policies in your state. It includes six distinct Titles on the key focus areas mentioned above, which can be advanced as a unified package or individually, depending on your state’s legislative priorities. It’s a powerful tool for engaging with policymakers and drafting impactful legislation that expands access to quality music and arts education.
• Strategic Advocacy Plan: This step-by-step guide offers a clear roadmap for building support and engaging stakeholders in your state, regardless of where you’re starting. The plan includes ready-to-use templates, evidence-based talking points, coalition-building strategies, and more to help you advance state-level music education policies.
• Infographic: A concise, easy-to-understand overview of the importance of music education, highlighting key gaps in access and the core principles of the MAESTRO Act. This infographic is perfect for sharing with policymakers or anyone who would benefit from a quick, compelling explanation of why arts education matters and how it can be improved.

These resources are designed to be flexible, allowing you to tailor them to your state’s unique political landscape and educational needs. For additional support, reach out to your state’s Advocacy Leadership Force representative, who can assist with questions and offer guidance.

Action Starts Here

Ready to get started? Fill out the form below to download the MAESTRO Act Model Legislation, Strategic Advocacy Plan, and Infographic. Use these tools to make a lasting impact on arts education policies in your state.