Grants and Advocacy
Music Advocacy Letters to School Districts
In November 2020, the Eugene Symphony Board of Directors sent a letter to Eugene and Springfield School District leadership thanking them for making music education a priority in their districts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full letters below to hear accounts of how local music educators are pivoting to create meaningful and engaging socially distanced (in person) and virtual (from home) opportunities for their students during this unprecedented time:
Eugene 4J School District Letter
Springfield School District Letter
Music Education Pathways/Advocacy Subcommittee
In January 2020, Eugene Symphony established the Music Education Pathways/Advocacy Subcommittee to:
- Ensure music education advocacy is a role for everyone in the orchestra family: Board members, musicians, staff, volunteers, and audiences.
- Advocate for policies which ensure that in-school music educator positions are a consistent and high priority across area school districts, which are filled by qualified music educators, so as to demonstrably improve equitable access to high-quality music education for all students, and particularly in low-income and underfunded schools.
- Proactively form sustainable advocacy relationships with school partners, policy leaders, and community stakeholders to secure the success of every child’s music education.
- Participate in forums where local, state, and national education policies are determined by listening to community needs and communicating the benefits of systemic K-12 music education.
(Source: League of American Orchestra’s Statement of Common Cause: Orchestras Support In-School Music Education)
Arts Advocacy Resources: National Level
Americans for the Arts
For sample letters to elected officials and contact information, click here
National Association for Music Education
(Formerly known as MENC- Music Educators National Conference)
Foundation National Association of Music Merchants
National Music Foundation American Music Education Initiative
Music-In-Education National Consortium
National Music Council of the United States
Arts Action Fund
Arts Advocacy Resources: Local Level
Field Trip Grants & Local Funding
Transportation to Youth Concerts
Eugene 4J schools only: Transportation to all youth concerts for 3rd grade classrooms is provided by the Eugene Education Fund, available through the Eugene 4J school district. Contact your school secretary for more information. Springfield schools may apply for transportation to be funded through the Innovative Educator grant, available through the Springfield Education Foundation.
Field Trip Grants from Target
Award amounts: Up to $700
Application deadlines: August 1 and September 30
Applicants will receive notification about their application by January 1.
Sharon Gertwitz Kids to Concert Funds
Award amounts: Up to $500
Application deadline: June 30
Applicants will receive notification about their application by August 15.