Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network
Recognition Programs
The Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education (KCAAEN) recognizes individuals, schools, and organizations that demonstrate outstanding support for the arts. Partnering with other national education organizations in the evaluation process and recognition events, KCAAEN recognition programs encourage outstanding work that makes the arts an essential part of a student's education.
Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network and National School Boards Association Award Program
(KCAAEN and NSBA Award)
Since 1989, the KCAAEN and the National School Boards Association (NSBA) have provided an annual award to a school board(s) that has demonstrated support for and commitment to high-quality arts education in its school district. This national award recognizes districts that have included all four major artistic disciplines - visual arts, music, theater and dance - in their programs.
The award program involves one school board per state that comprises the maximum national pool of nominees. Final selection is made by a national panel of arts educators and arts administrators including representatives of the KCAAEN and NSBA. The national award is presented every year at the annual national conference of the NSBA. School boards in every U.S. state are eligible for nomination regardless of whether their state has a State Alliance.
Nomination Deadline, Guidelines, and Forms
The deadline for the 2012 KCAAEN and NSBA Award nomination submissions is on December 2, 2011.
- 2012 KCAAEN and NSBA Award Guidelines and Nomination Submission Form (for the December 2, 2011 deadline)
KCAAEN and NSBA Award Past Winners
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Schools of Distinction in Arts Education Award Program
Launched in 1999, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Schools of Distinction in Arts Education Awards Program recognizes schools that have done an outstanding job of making the arts essential to the education of their students. The state level awards provide an important opportunity to honor schools and the role they play in providing a creative learning environment for outstanding student achievement.
State level awards are offered only to eligible schools in states with a participating State Alliance. The national level award has been suspended.
State Level: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Schools of Excellence in Arts Education
This award is presented to individual schools that have arts education programs that include two or more of the following components:
- teach the four basic art forms (music, visual arts, theater, and dance) as specific disciplines;
- provide imaginative learning environments;
- include parental involvement;
- promote learning about other cultures; and
- encourage community connections.
Recipients of the award are chosen by each State Alliance. State Alliances may recognize as many state level award winners as they wish for each school year.
Nomination Deadline, Guidelines, and Forms
The deadline for state level award nomination submissions is different for each state. Please check with your State Alliance for appropriate deadlines.
The national level award has been suspended. Click here to see past National Schools of Distinction.
