For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jazzmone Sutton
JazzmoneS@nafme.org or 571-323-5916

CMA Foundation and NAfME Announce Three
2022 State Advocacy Award Grant Winners

RESTON, VA (July 15, 2022) — In collaboration with the CMA Foundation, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) announces the 2022 recipients of the State Music Education Association Advocacy Grant Awards. These grants support the work of NAfME federated music education associations (MEAs) by augmenting existing advocacy initiatives and creating new advocacy opportunities.

“NAfME applauds all of the critically important advocacy work that is done at the state level on behalf of music education,” said NAfME President Scott R. Sheehan. “We are especially proud of these three music education associations for their exceptional efforts in advancing music education opportunities for students in their states. Through the support of the CMA Foundation, these advocacy initiatives will increase equitable access to music for more students in schools and increase public awareness of the significance that music education has on the lives of children. All of us at NAfME are very thankful to Tiffany Kerns and the CMA Foundation for their continued support of advancing music education and support state level advocacy projects such as these. We look forward to seeing the impact these programs will have in the months and years to come.”

“Through the support of the Country Music Association Foundation, these advocacy initiatives will increase equitable access to music for more students in schools and increase public awareness of the significance that music education has on the lives of children.”

Learn about the three MEAs selected this year for grants to aid their advocacy efforts:

• Kansas: Kansas Music Educators Association will develop a grassroots campaign for the “full” inclusion of music education in the Kansas curriculum with a primary goal of educating the public on the importance of music in a child’s education.
• Louisiana: To address the lack of funding for music as part of a well-rounded education, especially in rural areas, Louisiana Music Educators Association will hold its first Hill Day with state legislators and strengthen relationships with state organizations representing principals, superintendents, and school boards.
• New Jersey: New Jersey Music Educators Association will be creating a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access survey to better understand community needs in providing all students with access to a viable, sequential, and enduring arts program in their public schools.

“The State Advocacy grant through NAfME remains one of our most important investments to date. NAfME allows states like Kansas, Louisiana, and New Jersey to thrive when putting the voices of their teacher community first, ultimately impacting the students who these teachers influence.”

“As a national organization in music education, we understand the critical role advocacy plays to educate and inform all audiences,” said Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “The State Advocacy grant through NAfME remains one of our most important investments to date. NAfME allows states like Kansas, Louisiana, and New Jersey to thrive when putting the voices of their teacher community first, ultimately impacting the students who these teachers influence. We are proud supporters of the NAfME State Advocacy grant and look forward to the success of the awarded states’ associations.”

###

About the CMA Foundation
Established in 2011 as the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association (CMA), the CMA Foundation is committed to improving and sustaining high-quality music education programs across the United States, working to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music. Through strategic partnerships, professional development and grant distribution, the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), invests various resources across the national public school system, after school programs, summer camps and community outreach organizations.

National Association for Music Education, among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. With more than 50,000 members teaching millions of students nationwide, the organization is the national voice of music education in the United States.

Follow NAfME on Twitter (twitter.com/nafme) and on Facebook (facebook.com/nafme). For additional information, contact Catherina Hurlburt at catherinah@nafme.org or 571-323-3395.