On Oct. 15, 2021, the Arts Education for All Act (H.R. 5581) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR). Additional original sponsors include Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM), both ardent arts and culture champions. This legislation is endorsed by Grantmakers in the Arts, National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), Americans for the Arts, the Arts Action Fund, and nearly 300 other organizations. Read the press release from Rep. Bonamici as well as a bill summary and the full text of the legislation.

The Arts Education for All Act, the broadest arts education policy bill ever introduced in Congress, includes key provisions that will support and encourage the offering of arts education and programming experiences to Americans including our youngest learners, K-12 students, and youth impacted by the juvenile justice system. Crucially, the bill also will include provisions that would allow for rigorous arts and arts education research to be carried out to further inform how elementary and secondary education in our country can be improved. 

Rep. Bonamici hosted a virtual reception introducing this legislation, which can be viewed on her YouTube page. Josh Groban, a member of Americans for the Arts’ Artists Committee, participated in the reception offering his support for the Arts Education for All Act.

Organizations can sign on to endorse this legislation using this form. Individuals can take action and ask their members of Congress to become cosponsors of the Arts Education for All Act.

Pictured: Rep. Suzanne Bonamici.