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19 California Schools Win 2026 Exemplary Arts Education Award

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced 19 California schools as recipients of the 2026 California Exemplary Arts Education Award for outstanding arts programs.

By Jill NorcotCalifornia

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Logo for the California Exemplary Arts Education Program featuring a yellow star over a stylized map inside a blue circle with a dark blue border and yellow text around the edge.

Nineteen California schools win 2026 California Exemplary Arts Education Award for strong, equitable arts programs

On March 23, 2026, California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond honored 19 schools with the California Exemplary Arts Education Award for strong, equitable arts programs that provide credentialed instruction across multiple disciplines and culturally responsive access for all students.

Key takeaways

  • 19 awardees recognized for funding, curriculum, professional learning and equitable access in arts education.
  • Eligible schools must teach at least three arts disciplines during the regular school day with credentialed instructors aligned to state standards.
  • Awardees span elementary through high schools across urban, suburban and rural districts, including Title I and non-Title I schools.
  • Recipients will be honored at the California School Recognition Program Ceremony in Anaheim on April 24, 2026.

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Key information

  • The State Superintendent announced 19 awardees selected for demonstrated commitment to funding, curriculum, professional learning and equitable access. Source: California Department of Education press release.
  • Eligible schools must offer instruction in at least three arts disciplines (dance, media arts, music, theatre, visual arts) during the regular school day, taught by credentialed instructors and aligned with California’s Arts Standards. See: CDE arts education guidance.
  • Awardees represent elementary, middle and high schools across urban, suburban and rural districts and include Title I and non-Title I schools. Award list: CDE awardee list; coverage: ACSA coverage.
  • The schools will be recognized at the California School Recognition Program Ceremony in Anaheim on April 24, 2026. Source: CDE press release.

What the award recognizes

The California Exemplary Arts Education Award honors schools that go beyond sporadic arts offerings. To qualify, schools must provide:

  • A high-quality arts curriculum, instruction and assessment aligned with state standards;
  • Professional learning for staff who deliver arts instruction;
  • Equitable, culturally responsive access to arts learning for all students — including English learners, students with disabilities and other special populations;
  • Instruction in at least three arts disciplines during the regular school day. (Source: CDE).

State Superintendent praise

“It is my honor to congratulate these 19 schools for the powerful role they play in supporting arts programs across our state,” said State Superintendent Tony Thurmond. “These dynamic learning environments are where students have the opportunity to explore their creativity and strengthen their voices.”

Source: CDE announcement; additional context: ACSA.

The 2026 awardees

The full 2026 awardees span grade levels and regions. Each school is listed with district leadership where provided.

Nine awardees highlight Los Angeles County strength

Nine of the 19 winners are in Los Angeles County, underscoring the county’s dense arts infrastructure and district support: Claremont High, Crescenta Valley High, Mark Keppel Elementary, Prairie Vista Middle, ICEF View Park Prep, Maywood Center for Enriched Studies, Mira Costa High, Gabrielino High and Jefferson Middle. Local coverage highlights robust participation and past student achievements, including Crescenta Valley High’s 2024 LA County Poetry Out Loud championship. See the Los Angeles County release: Los Angeles County Office of Education.

Timing and process

The award announcement came during Arts Education Month in March. The application window opened May 1, 2025 and closed Dec. 21, 2025. Applications require schools to document instruction across arts disciplines, staff credentials, assessment practices and evidence of access for all student groups. The program aims to surface models that other schools can emulate. (See: CDE.)

Investigative look: funding, equity and what “exemplary” means

What the award highlights — strong programs — also raises questions about sustainability across districts. The 19 schools represent varied contexts: some serve primarily Title I populations while others are in suburbs with greater local funding. The criteria require “adequate resources and funding” but do not standardize per-student spending, leaving open how lower-budget schools can replicate these models.

Experts point to stable funding, partnerships with local arts organizations, and targeted professional development as key to sustainability. The award’s requirement for documented professional learning can be costly; winning schools often mix district support, grants, PTA fundraising and community partnerships.

Access for special populations

A central award component is proof that English learners, students with disabilities and other special populations have equal opportunities to access arts programming. That includes adapted instruction, translation services, and scheduling that removes barriers to participation. The award spotlights schools that have built those systems into their planning and staffing — an area where many districts still have gaps. (Source: CDE press release; award guidelines.)

How schools can be models

The program’s stated goal is not just recognition but dissemination. The CDE and local education agencies encourage awardees to share curricula, assessment tools and professional learning models with other schools. The public awardee list and the Anaheim ceremony give districts a chance to study winning programs and consider scaling practices regionally.

Implications for Fresno, California

Economic impact

Fresno schools and arts organizations could look to the awardees for funding and partnership models. Arts programs can boost local economies by preparing students for arts careers, creating after-school programming, and attracting grants. Districts may need a mix of district funding, state grants and community partnerships to replicate exemplary programs.

Political consequences

Local school boards in Fresno may face pressure to prioritize arts education as a result of state recognition programs. Board members advocating arts funding can frame investments as equity measures benefiting English learners and students with disabilities, potentially reshaping budget discussions.

Social effects

Expanding access to high-quality arts education can improve student engagement and mental health. For Fresno’s diverse student population, culturally responsive arts instruction validates student identities and boosts participation, which can reduce achievement gaps and expand graduation pathways related to the arts.

Cultural relevance

Fresno’s rich cultural landscape — including Latino, Hmong, Punjabi and other communities — can inform regionally meaningful arts curricula. Schools can partner with community artists and adopt culturally responsive materials, reflecting one of the award’s core criteria.

Practical applications for residents

Parents, teachers and district leaders in Fresno can use the CDE awardee list and application materials as a blueprint. Districts can request sample curricula, assessment rubrics, and professional learning outlines from award schools or present at regional conferences. Local arts nonprofits and Fresno State arts programs may find collaboration opportunities to support credentialed instruction and expand community-based learning.

Resources and next steps

Fresno educators and stakeholders can review the full award criteria and the 2026 awardee details at the California Department of Education (awardee list: awardee list). Coverage and district reactions are available through ACSA and local county education offices (example: Los Angeles County Office of Education’s release).

Recipients will gather for recognition at the California School Recognition Program Ceremony in Anaheim on April 24, 2026, where districts and educators will have an opportunity to share practices and build networks for expanding California arts programs statewide. (Source: CDE press release.)

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Jill Norcot

Jill Norcot is a senior national education reporter for Times Media Service, based in the Washington bureau. Norcot covers education nationwide, including schools, teachers, higher education, federal education policy and student issues, and how policy changes and classroom trends affect students, families and educators. Norcot holds a master's degree in international journalism and grew up in Bristol, England.

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