Renewing Our Commitment to Advocacy: A New Chapter for CMA

This June, I had the privilege of representing Chamber Music America in Washington, D.C., during “Hill Day for Music Education,” a convening of national arts advocates and educators organized by the National Association for Music Education. Over the course of several days, I joined hundreds of advocates from across the country for high-impact training sessions, policy briefings, and direct meetings with members of Congress.  

I was put into a small group with other arts leaders from New York State, and our delegation met with the offices of Senator Chuck Schumer, as well as Representatives Dan Goldman, Laura Gillen, Nick LaLota, John Mannion, Joseph Morelle, and Josh Riley. These conversations were a valuable opportunity to highlight how federal support for the arts directly impacts communities large and small. Our message was clear: federal support for the arts isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.   

Ahead of those meetings, one of the biggest takeaways from the training was the importance of grounding advocacy in local impact and shared values. We learned that the most effective conversations—especially the difficult ones—begin with stories. Data has its place, but what truly moves people are real examples of how the arts transform lives, support education, and bring people together. Listening with empathy and finding areas of mutual concern were essential strategies we practiced and carried into our conversations.  

I was surprised at how engaged and curious many congressional offices were, even amid packed schedules and competing priorities. There was a real openness to hearing from arts leaders on the ground, and a recognition that creative work is intertwined with education, public health, and economic development. I left feeling energized and optimistic, not only about CMA’s growing role in advocacy, but about the collective power we have as a field to influence policy when we speak with clarity, unity, and purpose. 

Going Forward

CMA’s participation in this effort marks a significant step forward in our advocacy work. We’re entering a new phase, one where we not only champion chamber music on stage and in the classroom, but where we also work to ensure that public policy reflects the realities and needs of our community. Proposed cuts to Title funds would jeopardize access to arts education across the country, especially in schools already facing limited resources. For many students, arts programs aren’t extracurricular, instead, they are critical pathways to creativity, confidence, and connection. 

During our time on the Hill, I also advocated for the restoration and continued funding of the National Endowment for the Arts. Drawing on insights from recent CMA surveys, I emphasized how a stable, transparent NEA supports the work of chamber music presenters, ensembles, and cultural entrepreneurs striving to serve their communities. The recent changes to funding criteria—and the rescinding of awarded grants—have created confusion and instability at a moment when our field needs clarity and trust more than ever. 

At CMA, we’re committed to equipping our members with the tools, language, and partnerships they need to advocate effectively at the local, state, and national levels. Advocacy doesn’t just happen on Capitol Hill. It happens when a pre-college program secures the support it needs to serve its neighborhood, when local and regional agencies recognize the arts as essential to civic life, and when one artist’s voice inspires change. 

During our meetings, Congressional offices made it clear: your voice matters. They actively track and tally every call, email, and letter they receive to better understand the needs of their constituents. As a CMA member or supporter, you can make a meaningful impact by contacting your representatives today. 

What to say: 

• Tell them you support the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and its mission to advance equitable opportunities for arts participation and creative practice, especially in underserved and underrepresented communities. 

• Urge them to support the Music Education for All Students Act (H.R. 5463), which would expand access to high-quality music education for early childhood and K-12 learners. 

In the coming months, we’ll be sharing more in the coming weeks about how you can take action, access tools and templates, and join us in amplifying the voice of chamber music across the nation. Together, we can shape a future where our field not only endures but leads.