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Plano ISD was recently recognized among the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) 2020 Districts of Distinction for Visual Arts.
The award is given to school districts that provide a well-rounded education integrated with a visual arts curriculum that “inspires creativity and reaches all learners,” according to an announcement from Plano ISD.
The TAEA announced 42 award winners (the top 4% of eligible districts) this month.
“Meeting the requirements for this award during a year of quarantine and pandemic where for months students were learning remotely, speaks volumes about the dedication of our talented team of visual arts teachers at every grade level,” Kathy Kuddes, Plano ISD’s fine arts director, said in a prepared statement.
Superintendent Sara Bonser thanked the teachers and leaders in the district’s visual arts programs as well as the school board for making fine arts a priority.“We are so proud of the Plano ISD’s visual arts teaching staff and the department leadership’s high standards and commitment to the visual arts, not just because of this award, but every day in Plano ISD,” Bonser said in a prepared statement.
Competing districts were judged on criteria including:
- Texas Association of Schools of Art/Texas Association of School Boards show
- Youth Art Month Show and Capitol Show
- Art teachers membership
- VASE (Visual Art Scholastic Event), Junior VASE and TEAM
- Texas Big Art Day
- Visual arts advocacy articles promoting visual art event
- Social media
- District exhibition
- Community service
- Field trips
- Collaboration with other disciplines
- Administration and supervision conference session, representatives attend TAEA conference session