NAMM Music Education Advocacy Actions in 2025
Standing up for music education
February 27, 2025
NAMM is committed to continuously advocating for music education funding, and as a NAMM member, you’re invited to be part of our critical efforts at the federal and state levels. NAMM’s advocacy events and digital campaigns are designed to ensure equity and access to a well-rounded education that includes music.
In fact, there’s no better time to get involved, as there are a number of bills proposed that may limit access to music education. Get in touch now and join us to connect with state coalitions doing vital work to preserve inclusion and funding for music and the arts.
Stay Informed and Get Connected With NAMM Policy Efforts
The discussions surrounding funding and policies at all levels underscore the necessity for continuous advocacy for music and arts education. To get started in our advocacy efforts, we encourage all industry stakeholders and community members to remain informed and engaged.
Music education enriches students' lives and plays an essential role in fostering creativity, critical thinking and social interaction skills, all vital for the 21st century workforce. Therefore, focusing on music as a vital education component in light of recent changes and proposed policies is more critical than ever.
As the political climate evolves, ensuring music education remains a priority requires a united front from advocates, educators and communities. The upcoming NAMM Advocacy Fly-In and our virtual campaign offer opportunities for members to express their commitment to equitable access to music education and influence funding decisions that will impact future generations.
Through collective advocacy and engagement, the arts can thrive alongside other academic subjects, promoting a holistic approach to education that benefits all students.
Here’s an overview of NAMM’s music education advocacy activities and ways you can participate as a NAMM member:
What NAMM Is Doing and How Members Can Participate
State Risk Assessments
NAMM and several partners are performing risk assessments in each state to track where bills are being proposed to cut funding and/or remove fine arts graduation requirements. To date, NAMM members have acted in Indiana, New Hampshire, Wyoming and Utah. Thanks to this grassroots coalition, NAMM is able to notify members to take action in their states as we learn of new efforts that may reduce access to music education.
Please contact us if you would like to learn more about you can help monitor issues in your state.
Stand Up 4 Music in California
NAMM and several California member companies will once again join the California Music Educators Association (CMEA), the California Theater Educators Association (CTEA), the California Dance Education Association (CDEA) and the California Arts Education Association (CAEA) in Sacramento, Calif., on March 12 for Stand Up 4 Music. There, we’ll remind our state legislatures that music and arts education is essential to the development of empathetic leaders with the critical skills required to enter the workforce.
Please let us know if we can help your company get involved in your own state-level advocacy days.
Federal Advocacy: The NAMM D.C. Advocacy Fly-In
In May, NAMM member delegates and partners will gather in the U.S. Capitol to represent the music products industry's commitment to funding music education through Title I, Title II and Title IV, Part A as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act federal education law. Through strategic meetings with Members of Congress, we will share data, research and personal stories to influence and reinforce the need for federal education funding for music and the arts. As in the past, the NAMM Advocacy Fly-In begins with a Day of Service in a local school, setting the tone for this vital advocacy work by fostering connections with the community.
Virtual Campaign to Contact Members of Congress and State Governors
In advance of the D.C. Fly-In, NAMM will launch a virtual campaign to align with Music in Our Schools Month in March. The virtual campaign aims to connect members of Congress with the music products industry to promote NAMM’s stance that supporting Title I, Title II and Title IV, Part A funding under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is necessary to the success of our industry — and the right thing to do.
NAMM will make participation simple. We’ll provide you with an editable template and encourage members to include engaging testimonials that emphasize the positive impact of music education on businesses. NAMM will support your efforts with a strong call to action to encourage lawmakers to advocate for this essential funding. Finally, we’ll follow up in person in D.C. this May to continue engagement and ensure the issue remains on the legislative agenda.
Participate in the Virtual Campaign
The Current Education Landscape
NAMM is monitoring developments with the potential dismantling of the Department of Education. In the current political landscape, the education sector is experiencing significant transformations influenced by various Executive Orders issued by President Trump.
Department of Government Efficiency Directives
Under the influence of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the Department of Education has issued a directive threatening states with the potential loss of federal funding unless they eliminate all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs by February 28. In part, the letter reads: “Educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon ‘systemic and structural racism’ and advanced discriminatory policies and practices. Proponents of these discriminatory practices have attempted to further justify them — particularly during the last four years — under the banner of ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI), smuggling racial stereotypes and explicit race-consciousness into everyday training, programming, and discipline. “
This measure is part of a broader effort to reshape federal education policies, as President Trump’s agenda is to return regulatory power to the states. The letter from the Education Department's acting assistant secretary for civil rights emphasizes legal nondiscrimination requirements for schools receiving federal aid and cites a Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action. This directive could significantly impact public colleges and schools, potentially leading to the downgrading or elimination of programs designed to support minority and disadvantaged students. The Department letter advises: “All educational institutions are advised to: (1) ensure that their policies and actions comply with existing civil rights law; (2) cease all efforts to circumvent prohibitions on the use of race by relying on proxies or other indirect means to accomplish such ends; and (3) cease all reliance on third-party contractors, clearinghouses, or aggregators that are being used by institutions in an effort to circumvent prohibited uses of race.”
This is why our industry’s advocacy efforts are so important. Please stay engaged and ready to act on behalf of the nearly 50 million students enrolled in U.S. public schools during our virtual advocacy campaign.
As constituents and leaders in the music industry it is up to us to remind elected officials that federal funding is necessary to support music education programs that enrich students' learning experiences and foster creativity. By raising our voices collectively, we can highlight the profound impact music education has on academic achievement, personal development and cultural understanding. Let’s make it clear that investing in music education is not just an expense, but an essential investment in the future of our society. Together, we can ensure that every student has access to quality music programs that inspire and empower them to reach their full potential. Join us in this vital initiative and advocate for the future of music education today!
Participate in the Virtual Campaign
Resources
U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Dear Colleague Letter
U.S. Department of Education Press Release
NAMM Webinar: Overview of Federal Education Policy
NAMM’s Role in Advocating for Federal Funds for Music Education