8/28/2008 - "Back to School" Advocacy Tools Available
Back to school already? Not sure what to say to your students, parents and principals? Use these tools to be prepared for your students' "Back to School" night. Tools include a customizable welcome speech, MusicFriends PowerPoint presentation and advocacy brochures.
Click here to get started.
8/22/2008 - Americans for the Arts and NAMM Advocate for Arts Support at National Political Conventions
Americans for the Arts and NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants, have teamed up to host two events to "encourage support for and awareness of the importance of arts and arts education" at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Musician John Legend and former Governor Mike Huckabee will be among some of the participants in attendance to discuss the future of the arts and arts education in America.
Click here to view the full press release.
7/25/2008 – New America Foundation Hosts “Education Policy in the Next Administration”
On Thursday, July 24, the New America Foundation hosted a discussion panel to address the presidential candidates’ education agendas. Panelists included, Lisa Graham Keegan, education adviser to John McCain and Jon Schnur, education adviser to Barack Obama. The discussion focused on the individual candidates' education proposals and future education policy in the next administration and congress.
Click here to view video of the event.
6/27/2008 - MENC Advocacy Brochure Series
MENC’s “The Power of Music ... Changing Lives,” music education advocacy brochure series is now available online. This series of four advocacy brochures is designed for distribution to parents, school board members, elementary school principals and secondary school principals, to give those audiences “the why and the how” of supporting school music education. The entire brochure series is now available for download in PDF form. Print copies are available for purchase at the MENC store or call 800-828-0229.
6/18/2008 - Timbaland, GQ's Gentlemen's Fund to Support Music Education through MENC
Gentlemen’s Quarterly (GQ) magazine has named MENC: The National Association for Music Education one of five charitable organizations chosen as recipients of the 2008 Gentlemen’s Fund initiative. The Gentlemen’s Fund raises support and awareness in the areas of education, opportunity, health, environment, and mentorship. MENC was selected to represent the education pillar in association with Hewlett Packard (HP) and musical artist/producer Timbaland.
Click here to view the full press release.
6/18/2008 - The Pew Research Center conducted a May 29 poll that ranked education second on a list of voters’ priorities in the 2008 election.
Click here for more poll results.
6/17/2008 - New MENC and Arts in Education Community “Ask”: Congressional Budget
Resolution Passes House … Fight for Arts Funding Begins Anew!
With the passage of the House’s new congressional budget resolution earlier this month, the FY09 appropriations season has officially begun. This week, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee approved a $15.3 million increase for the NEA in its FY 2009 spending bill. Chairman Norm Dicks (D-WA), an entrenched supporter of the arts, has proposed an increase in funding for arts programs in FY09 in the face of a dramatic cut proposed in President Bush’s recent budget.
Currently funded at $144.7 million, this increase would adjust the agency's budget to $160 million. President Bush has requested a cut of $128 million for the NEA in FY09 from the current $144.7 million level. On Arts Advocacy Day, a panel of celebrity witnesses gathered before Chairman Dicks' Appropriations Subcommittee to call for a significant increase in funding for the NEA. Witnesses included actor/director Robert Redford, musician John Legend, and actor Kerry Washington.
The FY 2009 Interior Appropriations bill next heads to full committee and then to the House floor for final consideration.
Ask: Your help is needed to defend against future floor amendments attempting to cut this increase. Additionally, we must put pressure on the Senate to match this increased funding level and to support maximized funding for ALL arts in education programs in FY09 as the budget moves forward. Upon returning home, please take a moment to visit www.congress.org, identify your members of Congress – and share with them your support for increased funding for the arts.
6/13/2008 - Senator Dole Extends Praise For National Anthem Celebration Participants
In recognition of the 2008 National Anthem Celebration, Senator Elizabeth Dole (NC) penned this letter of congratulations to its young participants. We thank Senator Dole for her support of this project and duly recognize the dedication of the student musicians who traveled to Washington, D.C. to lend their voices in celebration of our national anthem.
Click here to view the letter.
6/9/2008 - Senator Barack Obama Makes Stop in Thornton, CO, Gives Speech on Education
On May 28, presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama held a town-hall style meeting at Mapleton Expeditionary School for the Arts in Thornton, CO and delivered a speech on education entitled, “What’s Possible for Our Children.” Senator Obama highlighted the need for better teacher recruitment and retention through a Service Scholarship program and Teacher Residency programs.
Click here to read the full text of his speech.
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