MAAE Education and Advocacy

MAAE Signature Arts Advocacy Initiatives

• Fine Arts Education Week 

• Primary Winners Survey 

MAAE's State Arts Advocacy Efforts

• Missouri Budget Project

• State Board of Education meetings 

• DESE Collaboration

• Statement in Support of Artistic Freedom

• Local Advocacy Action Plan

National Level Arts Advocacy Initiatives

•  National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

  • Strategic Arts Messaging

  • FY2026 State Arts Agency Revenues report 

  • Interactive dashboards for exploring FY2026 revenue data.

• National Association for Music Education

  • Maestro Act Resources

  • Federal Funding for the Arts

  • AI Guiding Principles for Music Education 

• MEDSS - Music Education District Support Services

• FY2027 Federal Funding at Risk: Data Tool

Resource Compilation

• Topline findings report & technical report

• Dataset and survey instrument

• Arts Education Data and Reporting Initiatives (latest from 2024)

• Social Security Help Link

• The Arts as a Non-Partisan Issue

Basic Guidelines 

• Brevity

• Address by their title: Senator… Representative…

• If you get a “no” - be aware that there may be little you can do in that moment to change their mind.

• Be courteous to maintain a positive relationship and leave behind a brief list of talking points with evidence and contact info.

• Respect boundaries - briefly greet at a grocery store of such, but set an appointment to discuss issues.

In Person Meeting Guide

• Schedule 1-2 weeks in advance if possible

• Dress: Business or Business Casual

• Show up 5 minutes early

• Developing a positive relationship with staffers can support your goals - Staffers not only perform secretarial duties, but they also serve as scheduler, policy advisor, chief of staff.

• Leave behind a clear concise position paper with your contact info.

Phone Call Meeting Guide

• Be brief

• State the following

  • your name

  • who you’re representing

  • if you’re a constituent

  • why you’re calling and

  • what response you would like: (return call, email, support for a bill.)

• If there is background info, are talking points - send them via email and refer to that email in the voicemail.

• Thank them for their time.

• Don’t call back repeatedly, or leave an angry voicemail.

EMail Guide

• Be brief

• Include an attachment with no more than 1-2 pages to back up your case.

• If a large group is sending the same email, take a moment to add a personal touch.

• Copy staff on emails.