California Exemplary Arts Education Award
Recognizes some of California’s exemplary schools for excellence in Arts Education. Schools selected for the Exemplary Arts Education Award demonstrate broad-based achievement in Arts instruction and for advancing the Arts for all students.Overview
The California Exemplary Arts Education Award (EAEA) acknowledges individual school sites who demonstrate a commitment to sustained access and equity to standards-aligned arts education programs to all students they serve.
The EAEA showcases recipients schools’ exemplary arts education programs and practices which have contributed to their success based on the themes listed below:
Theme A––Program Administration and Accountability
Theme B––Program Development and Growth
Theme C––Program Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
EAEA recipients serve as model arts programs for the California Department of Education (CDE) for two academic years. A full outline of the application and award timeline are detailed below.
Purpose
The EAEA allows schools to share their exemplary arts education programs and practices which have contributed to their success. These schools serve as model arts programs for the CDE.
Eligibility Requirements
California elementary, middle, and high schools, including direct-funded charter schools, juvenile court and community schools, and alternative schools of choice, may apply. Please note that this is a school-based award; Districts may not apply.
Additionally, any applicant must certify and provide select evidence in the application that their school as follows:
- Offers instruction in a minimum of three arts disciplines (dance, media arts, music, theatre, and/or visual arts) during the regular school day through standards-based arts integration taught by a credentialed/qualified instructor
- Can demonstrate that ALL populations have equal opportunities to access these programs
- Offers educational programs or arts education curriculum and instruction aligned to the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted California Arts Standards for Public Schools, Prekindergarten Through Grade Twelve standards
- Has cleared for use any student images and likeness included in the submission
Application Timeline
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| May 1, 2025 | 2026 EAEA online application opens for submissions |
| December 21, 2025 | Applications must be submitted to the CDE, by 4 p.m. Pacific Standard Time |
| Jan-March 2026 | CDE reviews and scores applications |
| March 2026 | Exemplary Arts Education Awardees Announced |
| May 2026 | Award Ceremony |
Award Ceremony Submission Procedures and Application Components
Applicants shall submit the full EAEA application via an online application process. The link to the digital application as well as a sample application and scoring rubric will be available here once it becomes finalized. If needed, applicants will provide a URL to their application materials that the CDE can access for review and scoring.
The EAEA application is comprised of three themes:
Theme A––Program Administration and Accountability––how your school demonstrates a commitment to providing high-quality, adequate resources and funding for arts education for ALL students.
Theme B––Program Development and Growth––how your school demonstrates a commitment to maintaining and expanding a high-quality arts program through both teacher professional learning and programmatic planning.
Theme C––Program Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment––how your school demonstrates a commitment to high-quality arts curriculum, instruction, and assessment aligned to the California state standards.
California Exemplary Arts Education Schools
View the list of 2023 Exemplary Arts Education Awardees (XLSX)