Giving Compass' Take:

• The National Association for Music Education encourages and inspires young people to get involved in the arts by offering them access to leadership opportunities. 

• How can arts organizations such as the NAfME successfully cultivate talented leaders and build active pipelines? 

• Read about some recommendations for arts philanthropy leaders from Createquity. 

Over the past five years, more than 400 undergraduate students from across the United States have traveled to Washington, D.C., to learn leadership and advocacy skills from leaders in the field of music education. Additionally, and arguably most important, is the work these students do to advocate for the importance of music education to our elected officials during congressional office visits.

“The mission of the National Association for Music Education is to advance music education by promoting the understanding and making of music by all.” Furthermore, NAfME believes “every individual should be guaranteed the opportunity to learn music and to share in musical experiences.” However, various barriers stand in the way of this valiant vision coming to fruition. It is no secret that the dedicated educators standing before classrooms today are not fully representative of the students they serve.

Under the wise direction of the profession’s current leadership, our Association is working to bridge the gap between where we are today and where we want to be tomorrow. The key to such future success is a broad and diverse pipeline that extends from the K–12 classroom all the way through life to positions of leadership and authority.

Read the full article about future leaders in the arts by JJ Norman at ARTS Blog