Arts education advocates have received a call to arms. Now is the time to get out there and gain support for arts learning. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has issued a letter to school and education community leaders that expresses support for arts learning curriculum in public schools. To reinforce his message, he spoke at a NAMM Foundation teleconference and urged communities to think creatively towards strategies that will provide access to high quality learning opportunities that include the arts for all children.

Receiving support from an elected official at the federal level for arts learning is incredibly encouraging and provides opportunity for local-level advocacy efforts. Secretary Duncan stressed the "flexibility" of the No Child Left Behind Act. This means that while arts is one of the core subjects noted in the act, local school districts are able to adapt this in a way they see fit. This makes for the perfect opportunity for arts education advocates to leverage this endorsement to see that arts learning plays an integral role in local school districts.

How would you speak out on behalf of arts learning?

Here are a few ideas:

1. Distribute the Secretary's letter. This letter has been made public in hopes that arts education advocates will pass this on to teachers, parents, community leaders, local policymakers and school administrators.
2. Parents should talk to their children's teachers. With the new school year starting, now is the time to find out what is on your child's agenda for the year. Open houses are just around the corner.
3. Ask your legislator to write a letter that supports Secretary Duncan's. This is a great way to get the message to trickle down to the local level.