In 1998, The Recording Academy established an office in the nation's capital, seeking to amplify the voice of music creators in national policy matters. Today, The Academy's Advocacy & Government Relations office represents artists, songwriters, studio professionals and other music makers before Congress at a critical time for the music industry. As legislation adapts to rapidly changing technologies, The Academy works to protect creators' rights on a number of topics such as intellectual property rights, music preservation, music education, freedom of expression, radio reform and other issues.

Upon his appointment in 2002, Academy President Neil Portnow named advocacy one of the organization's four "pillars," provided additional commitment and staff, and in 2003 unveiled the "GRAMMYs on the Hill Initiative" in Washington to advance the rights of the music community through advocacy, education and dialogue. Since the launch of the initiative, The Academy has actively worked with leading members of the House of Representatives and helped organize the Recording Arts and Sciences Congressional Caucus, a collective of legislators who promote the music community's interests in Congress.

One step toward achieving the goals of the GRAMMYs on the Hill Initiative was The Academy's creation of Recording Arts Day on Capitol Hill. This annual day in D.C. is an opportunity for creative artists to meet with national leaders, and to communicate their issues on a one-on-one basis. More than 20 national music associations join The Academy as co-hosts of the day's activities. That evening, The Academy produces its GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards Dinner, at which legislators, educators and artists are recognized for their contributions to the creative community. Honored have been such esteemed leaders as Sens. Lamar Alexander, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Dianne Feinstein, Orrin Hatch and Patrick Leahy; Reps. Mary Bono, Howard Coble, John Conyers, Bill Delahunt and Steny Hoyer; and artists Kelly Clarkson, Natalie Cole, Missy Elliott, Gloria Estefan, Vince Gill and Martina McBride.

Other activities include:

Advocacy

• Partnership with the Recording Arts and Sciences Congressional Caucus, which provides The Academy and Caucus members with discussions, demonstrations and other events allowing opportunities for creators and legislators to learn from each other and jointly address the needs of the music community
• Input into critical national legislation on copyright reform, free speech, music education and other issues
• Regional and state initiatives on behalf of the local music community

Education

• Capitol Tracks, a regular publication for members of Congress, cultural stakeholders and Academy members
• The GRAMMY Town Hall provides high-level panels that serve as an open forum for music professionals to address, hear from and question national political leaders
• Demonstrations, briefings and events for members of Congress

Dialogue

• The GRAMMY Industry Roundtable
• Music Leaders Retreat, co-hosted by Academy President Neil Portnow, gives the leaders of every major music association an opportunity to jointly address community issues in a closed-door working session
• Advocacy Action @ GRAMMY.com provides Academy and industry members with an online tool to communicate with their local political representatives

As advocacy continues to be a priority of The Recording Academy, music professionals are invited to be part of the fight for creators' rights.