SMCISD wins 2024 TAEA District of Distinction award

The Texas Art Education Association announced the 94 winners of the 2024 District of Distinction Award. Among the list of honorees is San Marcos CISD. Only the top 5.5% of districts in the state, including San Marcos CISD earned the honor this year.

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 2024 award, over 1,200 districts were eligible to apply. Each district submitted documentation they met from the 14-point rubric over 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% in art education of districts in the state.

San Marcos CISD has annually had students produce quality pieces of art that win honors at the regional and state level. Over the last two years, student art has received honors at these, and additionally student work has been portrayed in exhibits at the state capital and the governor’s mansion. San Marcos is also annually the location of the state level VASE competition in Art, where approximately 2,500 students from around the state come to participate in the TAEA led competition. SMCISD appreciates the dedication of its teachers that guide their students to understanding the importance of the visual arts through Art History and genres, interpretation of and self-expression through art and, most importantly, their support of student growth.

San Marcos CISD has set a high standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum, and 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.”

In response to the award for SMCISD, Dr. Michael Cardona, SMCISD Superintendent of Schools said, “The Fine Arts in SMCISD is a part of our focus on the development of the whole child. Students do better on their academics when we provide them with engaging opportunities, and I am proud of the work that we do in support and development of our students’ abilities through organizations like TAEA that provide students activities for excellence.”

Ninety-four districts, including San Marcos CISD will be honored at the TAEA Administration & Supervision Division meeting and General Session during the TAEA Fall Conference General Assembly on Friday, Nov. 15.