February 15, 2023 – New York, NY – Young Audiences Arts for Learning is proud to endorse the Music In Our Schools Month Resolution (S. 364) (H.R. 969) and the Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education (GAAME) Act (S.Res. 54), which support underserved students’ access to music and arts education in our nation’s schools.
Young Audiences Arts for Learning was instrumental in advocating for the role of community-based teaching artists as outlined in the federal GAAME Act.
This week, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representative Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) introduced two pieces of legislation that aim to support and provide students with more access to music and arts.
The first bill, the Music In Our Schools Month Resolution, would support music in schools by affirming the importance of music education, highlighting the benefits students receive from its instruction, and recognizing the hard work of music educators across the country.
The second piece of legislation, the Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act of 2023 (GAAME Act), would further incentivize federal funds to be used to improve access to music and the arts for disadvantaged and low-income students, taught by certified arts and music educators. Young Audiences Arts for Learning was instrumental in advocating for the role of community-based teaching artists as outlined in this piece of legislation.
“The role of music is crucial in providing students with a well-rounded education and should not be forgotten. We must ensure that students across the nation have equitable access to the arts,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “I’m proud to have worked with Senator Booker to introduce these two pieces of legislation that would open doors for enriching music education in our nation’s schools and help to ensure that all children are exposed to the joy and benefits of learning music.”
“It is critical that every student across the US receive an inclusive and well-rounded education, including in music and the arts,” added Senator Booker. “That is why I am proud to introduce this legislation with Representative Velázquez that will not only recognize the positive benefits music and arts have on children but also invest in a comprehensive education for students from every background.”
“In addition to being part of a well-rounded education, music and the arts in schools inspire learning across subject areas and expand students’ potential to make meaningful connections in their classrooms and communities," said David A. Dik, National Executive Director of Young Audiences Arts for Learning.
The GAAME Act will amend the Elementary and Secondary School Act (ESEA) to encourage the use of Title I funds to:
1. Bolster the number of certified music and arts educators available.
2. Purchase equipment for music and arts courses (sheet music, instruments, etc.)
3. Provide further professional development for certified music and arts educators.
4. Improve access to sequential, standards-based arts and music education taught by certified educators.
Learn more about these bicameral bills to support music education for underserved students:
Press Releases
Senator Booker Press Release
Representative Velazquez Press Release
Endorsing Organizations for MIOSM Resolution: Young Audiences Arts for Learning, State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE), AASA, The School Superintendents Association, The American Orff-Schulwerk Association, American String Teachers Association, Association for Popular Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, CMA Foundation, Education Through Music, Kindermusik International, Music Teachers National Association, Music Travel Consultants, National Art Education Association, National Association for Music Education, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Music Merchants, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Education Association, National Federation of State High School Associations, National Music Council, National PTA, Nuvo Instrumental, Quadrant Research, Recording Academy, Save the Music Foundation, Wurrly, LLC.
Endorsing Organizations for GAAME Act: Young Audiences Arts for Learning, State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE), The American Orff-Schulwerk Association, American String Teachers Association, Association for Popular Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, CMA Foundation, Education Through Music, Kindermusik International, Music Teachers National Association, Music Travel Consultants, National Art Education Association, National Association for Music Education, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Music Merchants, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Dance Education Association, National Education Association, National Federation of State High School Associations, National Music Council, Nuvo Instrumental, Quadrant Research, Recording Academy, Save the Music Foundation, Wurrly, LLC.
About Young Audiences Arts for Learning
Founded in 1952, Young Audiences Arts for Learning’s mission is to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts. We are the nation’s largest arts in education network, comprising local affiliates across the country that collectively impact over 5 million young people each year. The national Young Audiences Arts for Learning network works collaboratively to advance arts in education through advocacy, communications, fundraising, program development, professional learning, and other support. To explore our national network, please visit: www.youngaudiences.org/network.
Contact
Lauren Altschuler
Young Audiences Arts for Learning
lauren@ya.org
