Abilene ISD -

Abilene ISD has been honored by the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) for having one of the state’s finest visual arts programs in the state for the fourth straight year. The TAEA announced the 94 winners of the 2024 District of Distinction Award earlier this month, with AISD among the group.

TAEA honors the districts that provide a well-rounded education that advocates for and integrates visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity and build social-emotional learning that connects learners to their community and beyond.

“We are thrilled to receive this distinction once again this year,” AISD Executive Director of Fine Arts Clay Johnson said. “The AISD Visual Arts program is truly exceptional, and we are so proud of the work that our teachers and students do on a daily basis.”

TAEA is the leading advocate for the visual arts in the state. The organization has previously honored outstanding TAEA members for their work in their classrooms and districts. This is the fifth year that TAEA is honoring districts that meet rigorous criteria, as evidenced by data.

More than 1,200 districts were eligible to apply for the award, with each district submitting documentation they met from the 14-point rubric during the 2023-2024 school year. Only 94 districts met the high standard and will receive the outstanding honor, indicating they are in the top 5.5 percent in art education of districts in the state. Each of those 94 school districts will be honored at the TAEA Administration and Supervision Division meeting and General Session on Friday, Nov. 15.

“Abilene ISD has set a high standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum, encouraged creativity, community participation, and student growth,” said Nealy Holley, Chair of the Visual Art Administrators of Texas, a division of TAEA, “It is a true testament to your visual art educators’ skill, dedication, and flexibility that the quality of their programs continued to provide strong and comprehensive visual art educational experiences to students.”

The Visual Art Administrators of Texas oversees the award program. The award honors school districts leading the way in the visual arts. The Visual Art Administrators of Texas, a division of TAEA, recognizes districts with outstanding leadership in promoting the arts in their district and community. As a few examples, TAEA wants to identify districts that are actively participating members in areas such as VASE, Junior VASE, and TEAM. The organization also looks at field experiences, community service, and community exhibitions, to name a few, as part of the rigorous rubric for the award.

TAEA is the largest state professional organization for art educators in the United States. Its mission is to promote quality visual arts education through leadership, advocacy, service, and professional development.