Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts Wins 2023 TAEA District of Distinction Award

Only the top 5.5 percent of districts in the state, including Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, earned the honor this year.

FORT WORTH, TX — July 31, 2023 – The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) announced the 68 winners of the 2023 District of Distinction Award. Among the list of honorees is Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts. The districts received the honor for providing a well-rounded education that advocates and integrates visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity and build social emotional learning that connect learners to their community and beyond.

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

For the 2023 award, over 1,200 districts were eligible to apply. Each district submitted documentation they met from the 14-point rubric over the 2022-2023 school year. Only 68 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.

Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts Visual Arts program is part of the Texas Center for Arts + Academics, located in Fort Worth, Texas. The Visual Arts program prides itself on field experience, college readiness, portfolio development, and winning competitions both nationally and locally. The visual arts teachers work hard to provide all students with the skills they need to be successful in their high school development and college readiness.

“Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts has set a high standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum, encouraged creativity, community participation and student growth,” said Sandra Newton, 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.”

Dr. Jennifer Jackson, the Principal at Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts says “Our Visual Arts teachers are dedicated, passionate, and inspirational professionals who push our young artists to ask questions, take risks, and create change. I am unspeakably proud of – but not all surprised by – this fabulous achievement.”

Sixty-eight districts, including FWAFA, will be honored at the TAEA Administration & Supervision Division meeting and General Session during the TAEA Fall Conference General Assembly on Friday, November 17, 2023.

Find TAEA Online: Website: www.taea.org Twitter: @TXarted Facebook: @TexasArtEducationAssociation

About TAEA District of Distinction Award: District of Distinction has just completed its fifth year and is looking forward to increased participation going into the 2023-2024 school year. The Visual Art Administrators of Texas oversees the award program. The award honors school districts that are 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. TAEA wants to identify districts that are actively participating members in areas such as VASE, Junior VASE, and TEAM as a few examples. 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.

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

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Texas Center for Arts + Academics (TCA+A) is proud to celebrate more than 75 years of supporting artistic excellence and academic success. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, TCA+A strives to make the arts accessible to all. Through premier performing groups, two nationally top-ranked charter schools, community-based after-school conservatories, workshops, and summer camps, TCA+A provides resources that bring children, from all backgrounds, opportunities to experience and engage in the visual and performing arts. Learn more at artsacademics.org.

Media Contact: Monica Sheehan, monica.sheehan@artsacademics.org