get involved

Americans for the Arts builds the national clout necessary to effectively influence pro-arts federal education policy and private sector support by forging strategic policy alliances, engaging high-level leaders in taking action, and raising public visibility for the value of arts education. Here are ways you can get involved:

Advocacy

Play Your Part by Joining the Action Fund
Join the movement of grassroots advocates, teachers, artists, and community members who voice their support of the arts and arts education in America, and let your voice be heard from your front steps to the steps of the Capitol.

Speak Out with VoterVOICE
In two minutes, you can write your state and local elected officials about the value of arts education or find out about the latest federal-, state-, and local-level battles for the arts and arts education.

Spread the Word with Our PSA, The Arts. Ask for More.
Visit this site for advocacy tips and tools specific to arts education. This information is made for the general public and parents seeking to effect change for the creative future of our children. One place to start is this PDF list of 10 Simple Ways to Bring More Arts into Kids' Lives.

Host an Event
Plan an event to generate community dialogue about the importance of arts education. Invite community leaders, school leaders, artists, students, teachers, and parents to participate. Visit our page Documenting the Importance of Arts Education to find out about screening films at your event as a way to spark the conversation.

Keep the Arts in Public Schools 
Join the 1.2 million other concerned citizens who take action through our Facebook Causes page.

Online Resource Center: Arts Education in Public Schools
Learn more about what local education decision-makers can do to effect positive change for arts education.

Free Brochures
Download free brochures from our partner organizations the Arts Education Partnership and the Center for Arts Education.

Policy 

For many of America's youth, public schools serve as the major provider of arts instruction. Therefore, it is critical that the arts are provided within a school district's educational mission and that they are adequately supported through policies and funding at the federal, state, and local level.

Read more from our Senior Director for Federal Affairs and Arts Education Narric Rome on our federal, state, and local advocacy efforts in his article, "The Trickle Down Effect of Federal Arts Education Policy."

Read our briefs on legislative issues, such as the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Or, for more detailed information on arts and education policy, check out our page about how the arts are affected by education reform initiatives.