Why it matters
Did you know that 80% of all public education funding and policies that support music education come from your state? State advocacy is vital for keeping music programs strong in schools. In the summer of 2026, this coalition surveyed state music advocacy leaders and educators to learn what concerns they had regarding strong music advocacy. You can see the summary here. Highlights include:

1. Funding, Funding, Funding. Both state leaders and local educators are very concerned about cost shifts, tariffs, and budget shortfalls that could threaten their programs.
2. Shoring up state music education policies to make certain music and arts remain part of a well-rounded education for all students. Current concerns include changing high school graduation requirements that do not include an arts requirement.
3. A shortage of music educators for current programs. Of interest was learning about alternative pathways that people with a music background could pursue to quickly enter the classroom prepared to be a great music teacher.

How is music faring across your state? The Arts Education Data Project can help you learn how music education is offered and who has access. Visit artseddata.org and click on your state to dive into the data.

State Budget Information Follow the money. Use this interactive map to see how your state is allocating resources, including for education.

State Policy Library The Music Is Education coalition has developed this State Policy Library of more than 100 currently implemented state policies for Grade Weighting/GPA, Certification and Staffing, Graduation Requirements, Funding, Assessment and Accountability, Data Reporting, Curriculum and Arts Diploma Seals & Endorsements.

State Arts Education Policies Summary The Arts Education Partnership creates an overview of state arts education policies called ArtScan. Click through and select your state to see what policies your state has to support music and arts learning. Want to know how your state compares to others? Use the ArtScan at a Glance feature and dive deeper into comparisons across states and policies, from high school graduation requirements to instructional minutes.

To learn more about how policies work in your state, connect with your SEADAE member. These are the people who oversee arts and music education at your state educational agency.

State Advocacy Resources Need to learn more about how all of this works and how to get involved in your state? The Music IS Education coalition has developed a state coalition planning guide to support your efforts. Americans for the Arts has The Arts Education Field Guide to help you understand the arts education ecosystem. The National Association for Music Education has a Civic Action Field Guide that you can review and learn more about how state and local policies get made and how you can get involved.

Connecting with State Music Advocates Ready to be involved and need a connection to state advocacy leaders in your state? Send us an email, and we will connect you to the proper parties in your state. For MEA-aligned advocacy leaders, contact NAfME’s Advocacy Leadership Force.