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Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education
Recognition Programs

The Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education acknowledges individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding support for the arts through award programs. Partnering with other national education organizations in the judging process and recognition events, KCAAEN recognition programs encourage outstanding work that makes the arts an essential part of a student's education.

KCAAEN and NSBA Award

Since 1998, 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, community, state or special jurisdiction. This national award recognizes districts that have included all four major artistic disciplines – visual arts, music, theater and dance in their programs.

The award competition 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 KCAAEN and NSBA. The national Award is presented every year at the annual national conference of the NSBA.

Deadline for the 2009 KCAAEN-NSBA Award Nomination Submissions is on December 1, 2008.

KCAAEN-NSBA Award Past Winners

John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts Schools Of Distinction In Arts Education Awards

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 national and 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. Winners receive a modest honorarium to support their programs, a plaque for display in their building, and the opportunity to be featured in performance at the Kennedy Center as part of KCAAEN events.

Levels of recognition for this program are:

State Level: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Schools of Excellence in Arts Education

This Award program is presented to individual schools that have arts education programs that include two or more of the following components:

  1. teach all the arts as specific disciplines;
  2. provide imaginative learning environments;
  3. include parental involvement;
  4. promote learning about other cultures; and
  5. 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.

National Level: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts National Schools of Distinction in Arts Education

This Award honors up to five schools each year from across the nation that provide teaching programs in the four basic art forms (music, visual arts, dance and theatre). Each State Alliance is eligible to nominate up to five schools for consideration for the national-level award. In addition, the KCAAEN collaborates with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to recognize the K-8 Principals of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts National Schools of Distinction in Arts Education -Winning Schools.

National Schools of Distinction Past Winners

Nomination Guidelines and Forms