Northside ISD was notified Aug. 1 it was selected as a District of Distinction by the Texas Art Education Association. This is the fifth year in a row that the district has received the designation.

The details

According to a news release, more than 1,200 school districts were eligible to apply for the TAEA Visual Arts Award with just 68 districts in the state being named, indicating they are in the top 5.5% in art education of districts in the state.

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 connects learners to their community and beyond,” the release states.

“We are extremely proud of our visual arts program in Northside ISD,” Superintendent John Craft said in a statement. “The fine arts department is committed to providing our students caring and nurturing environments in which to learn and grow, as well as avenues in which to participate and excel creatively.”

NISD officials said the awards program uses a 14-point rubric to examines a school district's visual art program from participation in the TAEA through membership, exhibitions, contests and community engagement in the visual arts through field experiences, community service, and collaboration with other content areas.

The winners will be honored at the TAEA fall conference in November.