Every year schools across America lose funding for music education programs. A study in the "Journal of Research in Music Education" reported that school leaders struggle to maintain music education largely due to government legislation, budgets, preparation for standardized tests and scheduling conflicts. Impoverished areas are particularly affected by these conditions. To aid struggling schools, a number of private and public organizations have made music education grants available.
National Association for Music Education
The National Association for Music Education provides scholarships, grants and donations to support primary and secondary school music programs.
The association most recently hosted the "Glee Give a Note Campaign". In partnership with Twentieth Century FOX Home Entertainment, the campaign donated $1 million to school music programs across the United States. In December 2011, 73 high schools received grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.
Music Empowers Foundation
The Music Empowers Foundation is a private organization that provides funding to charities, public schools and music outreach services that target disadvantaged areas and school systems that lack music programs. Application instructions for matching grant awards and a variety of single awards can be found at the foundation's website.
Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation
A Music Matters Grant of $1,000 to $12,000 is available for primary and secondary schools. Priority is given to programs involving innovative educational reform and programs serving an economically disadvantaged population.
Mockingbird Foundation
The Mockingbird Foundation has awarded $622,700 to music education programs in 43 states. The award may be used to fund such items as instruments, office materials, learning space, practice space or instructors. The foundation is particularly interested in projects that foster self-esteem and those that target disadvantaged children under 18.
ASCAP Foundation
The ASCAP Foundation was created to support the professional development of musicians, increase community access to the arts, promote music education in schools and award grants to talent development programs. The foundation is particularly interested in programs that reflect similar objectives to their own and programs that target aspiring writers and composers. The average grant is approximately $2,500.
Music Drives Us
Music Drives Us is a charity located in Massachusetts. The foundation primarily awards funding to organizations and individuals located in New England. Organizational grants are for performance or music education, while individual grants provide funds for young musicians to pursue their musical education. The typical grant award is $7,000
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts provides federal funding for music education through a range of grant opportunities. Each grant program has specific eligibility and application requirements and it may take considerable time to construct a successful proposal. The following grants are available to primary and secondary schools:
- The National Arts and Humanities Youth Program is an award of $10,000 for outstanding extracurricular programs.
- The Challenge America Fast-Track is an award of $10,000 to support music programs that target disadvantaged students.
- Art Works provides funds ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. Projects of particularly high quality or innovation are strongly preferred.
References:
Journal of Research in Music Education
National Association for Music Education
National Endowment for the Arts
Erin Connelly - Since 2003 Erin Connelly has been a writer for university, government and nonprofit publications. She has edited submissions for "Nature," ...
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