“Education is a paramount part of our society. The arts, and music in particular, help build character and confidence…. We need to be focused on what is best for our children.”
— Howard B. Witt; Chairman, former President, and CEO; Littelfuse, Inc.
“I attribute my ability to survive and even thrive during difficult times as being, in part, a direct result of lessons learned during musical education studied while growing up.”
— Michael Winston; former Vice President and Director of Global Leadership and Organization Development, Motorola, Inc.
Above comments from: García, Antonio. “CEOs Advocate for Music Education in Illinois-Won’t You?,” The Illinois Music Educator, Fall 1997.
Videos: The Importance of Music Education
Todd Bontemps: The Value of Music Education
Todd Bontemps,intellectual property attorney, speaks on music enjoyment for life.
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Antonio J. García: The Value of Music Education
Antonio J. García discusses the importance of music and music education. He is a nationally known jazz musician, conductor, educator, and composer, and is Professor Emeritus and former Director of Jazz Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. Antonio García is also a 2023 recipient of The Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor.
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Branford Marsalis: The Value of Music Education
Branford Marsalis discusses the intrinsic value of music and how it makes you feel.
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Kabir Sehgal: The Value of Music Education
Kabir Sehgal, Grammy winner, best selling author, US Navy veteran, and J.P. Morgan banker, shares how music helps develop life skills.
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Ann Yonemura: The Value of Music Education
Ann Yonemura, Senior Associate Curator of Japanese Art at Freer Gallery of Art, explains that it is never too late to enjoy the benefits of music making.
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Benefits of Music Education
The Benefits of Music (LMEA website tab containing additional links to research and articles)
Arts Education is Essential – statement of support by NAfME and 52 additional endorsing national organizations
Music Education and Social-Emotional Learning – a brochure from NAfME and the CMA Foundation
How Children Benefit from Music Education in School – NAMM Foundation compiled lists of benefits/facts including educational, cognitive, and social benefits and also quotes and testimonials
Community Music Programs Enhance Brain Function in At-Risk Children
NAfME and ESSA Information and Resources
Advocacy Support from NAfME – LMEA Conference 2019 presentation by Dian Eddelman, President of Southern Division of NAfME
Civic Action Field Guide for Music Education (NAfME) – LMEA Conference 2019 presentation by Dian Eddelman, President of Southern Division of NAfME
ESSA Voices: The Every Student Succeeds Act, Four Years Later (The Education Week, June 5, 2020)
Model ESSA State Plan: Louisiana (August 23, 2017)
Music Education & Final State ESSA Plans (NAfME, Dec. 13, 2017)
Everything ESSA – (Every Student Succeed Act) This page includes multiple links to information related to: ESSA Resources & Analysis, Appropriations, Title IV Part A (SSAE), NAfME’s ESSA Webinar Series, and other resources.
How Funding Works – Title IV, Part A Toolkit and Frequently Asked Questions – NAfME
The Every Student Succeeds Act: Opportunities for Music Educator Action (NAfME’s The Advocacy Bulletin, May 24, 2017)
Arts Education Is Essential – a unified statement from NAfME and 52 other national arts organizations
Comparing States – Legislation and Policies
The Education Commission of the States is a partnership of education leaders from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each year they collect and update information on changes in legislation, including arts policies, from each state and compile it in searchable databases.
The Arts Education Partnership (AEP) is a national network of more than 100 organizations dedicated to advancing arts education. It has been supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Education since 1995 and is administered by Education Commission of the States.
ArtsEdSearch, a project of the AEP, is a national hub for research on the impact of arts education. It focuses on the outcomes of arts education for students and educators.
ArtScan, another project of the AEP, is a database that provides the most current information on state policy areas related to K-12 arts education.
ArtScan, as compiled by AEP, of arts policies specific to Louisiana.
ArtScan at a Glance provides a summary of state policies related to K-12 arts education identified in statute or code for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. (Complete information is found on AEP website.)
Additional state reports that compare policies of all 50 states and the District of Columbia within specific policy areas are available from AEP:
Arts Education Instructional Requirements
High School Requirements for Arts Education
Arts Requirements for Educator Licensure
Arts in Core Academic Subjects, Assessments, & Accreditation
