Tell Congress: Include Youth Dance and Performing Arts in the Let Kids Play Act.
The Issue
LET KIDS PLAY. LET KIDS DANCE. LET KIDS BE KIDS.
Tell Congress: Include Youth Dance and Performing Arts in the Let Kids Play Act.
Children deserve access to the activities that help them move, grow, create, connect, and thrive.
Let's make sure the performing arts are included.
For millions of children, childhood happens beyond the playing field.
It happens in dance studios, theaters, music rooms, and performing arts classrooms. These are places where children build confidence, develop discipline, discover their creativity, form friendships, learn teamwork, and find a sense of belonging.
These experiences matter.
In May 2026, federal legislation known as the Let Kids Play Act was introduced to address concerns surrounding private equity investment and financial practices in youth sports. We believe the conversation about protecting children's extracurricular opportunities must include more than athletics.
Dance and performing arts are essential parts of the youth development ecosystem. They deserve a place in this conversation, too.
Independent dance studios and performing arts organizations provide opportunities for children to participate, explore their interests, develop physical and creative skills, and build relationships within their communities.
But as the youth activities industry changes, families and locally owned organizations face important questions about affordability, accessibility, ownership, and the future of these opportunities.
Children shouldn't lose access to meaningful experiences because the systems supporting those experiences fail to prioritize their needs.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING CONGRESS TO DO
We are calling on the sponsors and members of Congress supporting the Let Kids Play Act to:
- Expand the legislation's scope to expressly recognize qualifying youth dance and performing arts organizations and activities.
- Consider appropriate protections addressing harmful financial practices, excessive fees, restrictive agreements, and practices that undermine affordability and access for families.
- Preserve local choice and community-based opportunities so families can continue to access diverse, locally rooted extracurricular experiences.
- Include performing arts educators, independent business owners, families, and youth advocates in conversations about the future of children's extracurricular activities.
THIS IS BIGGER THAN DANCE.
This is about recognizing that children develop in different ways and that no single activity defines a successful childhood.
Some children find their confidence on a soccer field. Others find it on a stage. Some discover their strength through movement, music, storytelling, or creative expression.
All of those experiences deserve consideration.
We are not against business growth, investment, or innovation; however, we believe that the interests of children, families, and communities must remain central as the youth activities industry evolves.
Our children are not markets to be captured.
Their childhoods are not investment opportunities.
We are asking Congress to recognize the value of the performing arts and ensure that youth dance and performing arts organizations are included in the legislative conversation.
ADD YOUR VOICE.
Whether you're a parent, dancer, studio owner, educator, artist, or someone who believes children deserve opportunities to discover who they are, this conversation includes you.
Sign this petition. Share your story. Help us bring the performing arts to the table.
READ THE LEGISLATION. UNDERSTAND WHAT'S AT STAKE.
The Let Kids Play Act addresses concerns about outside investment in youth sports. We believe children participating in dance and performing arts deserve consideration in this conversation, too.
Review the legislation and join us in asking Congress to recognize the broader youth extracurricular experience.
House Bill: H.R. 8788
Senate Bill: S. 4522
LET KIDS PLAY. LET KIDS DANCE. LET KIDS BE KIDS.
Because every child deserves a place to move, create, connect, and belong.
Organized by Chasta Hamilton and Dance Local.
14
The Issue
LET KIDS PLAY. LET KIDS DANCE. LET KIDS BE KIDS.
Tell Congress: Include Youth Dance and Performing Arts in the Let Kids Play Act.
Children deserve access to the activities that help them move, grow, create, connect, and thrive.
Let's make sure the performing arts are included.
For millions of children, childhood happens beyond the playing field.
It happens in dance studios, theaters, music rooms, and performing arts classrooms. These are places where children build confidence, develop discipline, discover their creativity, form friendships, learn teamwork, and find a sense of belonging.
These experiences matter.
In May 2026, federal legislation known as the Let Kids Play Act was introduced to address concerns surrounding private equity investment and financial practices in youth sports. We believe the conversation about protecting children's extracurricular opportunities must include more than athletics.
Dance and performing arts are essential parts of the youth development ecosystem. They deserve a place in this conversation, too.
Independent dance studios and performing arts organizations provide opportunities for children to participate, explore their interests, develop physical and creative skills, and build relationships within their communities.
But as the youth activities industry changes, families and locally owned organizations face important questions about affordability, accessibility, ownership, and the future of these opportunities.
Children shouldn't lose access to meaningful experiences because the systems supporting those experiences fail to prioritize their needs.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING CONGRESS TO DO
We are calling on the sponsors and members of Congress supporting the Let Kids Play Act to:
- Expand the legislation's scope to expressly recognize qualifying youth dance and performing arts organizations and activities.
- Consider appropriate protections addressing harmful financial practices, excessive fees, restrictive agreements, and practices that undermine affordability and access for families.
- Preserve local choice and community-based opportunities so families can continue to access diverse, locally rooted extracurricular experiences.
- Include performing arts educators, independent business owners, families, and youth advocates in conversations about the future of children's extracurricular activities.
THIS IS BIGGER THAN DANCE.
This is about recognizing that children develop in different ways and that no single activity defines a successful childhood.
Some children find their confidence on a soccer field. Others find it on a stage. Some discover their strength through movement, music, storytelling, or creative expression.
All of those experiences deserve consideration.
We are not against business growth, investment, or innovation; however, we believe that the interests of children, families, and communities must remain central as the youth activities industry evolves.
Our children are not markets to be captured.
Their childhoods are not investment opportunities.
We are asking Congress to recognize the value of the performing arts and ensure that youth dance and performing arts organizations are included in the legislative conversation.
ADD YOUR VOICE.
Whether you're a parent, dancer, studio owner, educator, artist, or someone who believes children deserve opportunities to discover who they are, this conversation includes you.
Sign this petition. Share your story. Help us bring the performing arts to the table.
READ THE LEGISLATION. UNDERSTAND WHAT'S AT STAKE.
The Let Kids Play Act addresses concerns about outside investment in youth sports. We believe children participating in dance and performing arts deserve consideration in this conversation, too.
Review the legislation and join us in asking Congress to recognize the broader youth extracurricular experience.
House Bill: H.R. 8788
Senate Bill: S. 4522
LET KIDS PLAY. LET KIDS DANCE. LET KIDS BE KIDS.
Because every child deserves a place to move, create, connect, and belong.
Organized by Chasta Hamilton and Dance Local.
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Petition created on November 10, 2026