Like you, we are deeply concerned about recent announcements regarding the significant staffing reduction at the Department of Education. We share your concerns about what this could mean for public education, arts education, federal funding, and protections for students and teachers.
While this action signals a significant shift, it’s important to remember that fully dismantling a federal department requires congressional approval. We don’t yet know what shape the Department of Education may ultimately take, but we do know this: we will stand with you, we will fight for you, and we will continue advocating for theatre educators and students every step of the way.
The Educational Theatre Association, along with our partners in the Arts Education Alliance, have signed onto the Department of Education Protection Act, a bill that aims to shield the U.S. Department of Education from efforts to dismantle the agency by prohibiting the use of appropriated funds to decentralize, reduce the staffing level of, or alter the functionality of the Department.
Theatre education is not expendable. It is a vital part of student learning—helping young people develop empathy, collaboration, and critical thinking skills that prepare them for life. Any restructuring of the Department of Education must not come at the cost of student access to the arts or the professional standing of theatre educators.
Now is a critical moment to raise our voices and one area is in support of sustained federal funding for arts education. Congress is considering cuts to education funding—including funding for Assistance for Arts Education (AAE) program. We encourage you to contact your legislators through this advocacy campaign: Support Federal Funding for Arts Education.
We will continue to provide updates as more details emerge and will work tirelessly to ensure that the policies shaping the future of education support and protect theatre educators and their students.
Last week, EdTA’s executive director, Dr. Jennifer Katona, sat down with Amanda Karhuse, Arts Education Alliance Arts Advocate, Lobbyist and Assistant Executive Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for NAfME to discuss the recent policy shifts and what they mean for you, our members. Watch the webinar below.
