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19 California Schools Win 2026 Arts Education Award

Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced 19 California schools were honored with the 2026 California Exemplary Arts Education Award for exceptional arts programs.

By Jill NorcotCalifornia

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California names 19 schools for 2026 Exemplary Arts Education Award, spotlighting funding gaps and community support

On March 23, 2026, California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced 19 schools as recipients of the 2026 California Exemplary Arts Education Award for outstanding arts programs demonstrating high‑quality curriculum, culturally responsive access and strong student support across the state.

Key takeaways

  • The award recognizes schools that provide standards‑aligned arts instruction across multiple disciplines and ensure culturally responsive access for all students.
  • 19 winners announced: recipients span elementary, middle and high schools across California and will be honored on April 24, 2026.
  • Funding questions remain: award recognition highlights models but raises concerns about sustainability and equity between Title I and wealthier districts.

Main coverage

Award criteria and selection process

The California Exemplary Arts Education Award is designed to identify schools that meet clear benchmarks for arts learning. Applicants must demonstrate:

  • Curriculum and instruction aligned with state arts standards, including regular assessment measures;
  • High-quality professional learning for arts teachers;
  • Policies and practices ensuring equitable access for English learners, students with disabilities and other special populations;
  • Instruction in at least three arts disciplines (dance, media arts, music, theatre or visual arts) during the regular school day, taught by credentialed teachers.

Applications for the 2026 awards opened May 1, 2025, closed Dec. 21, 2025, and were reviewed January–March 2026. Winners will be honored at the California School Recognition Program Ceremony in Anaheim on April 24, 2026. For program details see the California Department of Education arts education program and the CDE news release.

Thurmond’s message and the ceremony

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

Thurmond’s office noted the winners represent a mix of Title I campuses and suburban schools with strong district and community backing, highlighting programs across grade levels and demographics. Coverage and summaries of the winners are available from both CDE and education organizations; see the ACSA/Education Coalition summary of winners and the CDE announcement.

2026 California Exemplary Arts Education Awardees

The 19 named schools span California. Where available, principals and district superintendents are noted as listed by the CDE. Each school name links to the official awardee listing.

Regional concentration and context

Nine of the 19 awardees are located in Los Angeles County, reflecting concentrated arts activity and investment in the region during Arts Education Month. Notably, Crescenta Valley High School — one of the LA County winners — was the 2024 LA County Poetry Out Loud champion, underscoring local arts achievement; see LA County Office of Education coverage.

Why the award matters — and the investigative angle

The award highlights models other districts can study, but it also prompts questions that reporters, policymakers and parents should probe:

  • Sustainability: How do schools sustain arts staffing and materials year to year when state and local funding varies? See CDE program guidance at the CDE arts education program.
  • Funding models: Do Title I winners rely more on grants, fundraising or partners than wealthier suburban counterparts? The winners list includes both profiles, suggesting different funding models worth examining; summary at the ACSA/Education Coalition summary.
  • Long-term equity: What mechanisms ensure continued access for English learners and students with disabilities beyond the award year? The program checks access at application, but monitoring varies; see the CDE announcement.

Funding and staffing: models apparent among 2026 winners

The 2026 awardees include schools in districts with strong local revenue and community arts partners, and others serving mostly Title I families. Common approaches to reaching exemplary status include:

  • District-supported programs with line-item budget commitments for arts staffing and materials;
  • Partnerships with community arts organizations providing instructors, rehearsal space or curricula;
  • Active booster groups and parent fundraising to cover materials and performance costs;
  • Creative scheduling to offer multiple arts disciplines during the regular school day without pulling students out of core instruction.

These approaches meet award expectations but invite scrutiny on long-term sustainability when budgets tighten.

How other districts can use award models

The CDE frames awardees as replicable models. District leaders looking to expand arts offerings may study awardees’ staffing patterns, partnership agreements and professional learning calendars. The formal application documentation reviewed by CDE can provide practical strategies for embedding arts during the school day while protecting core instruction; visit the awardee listing and documentation for examples.

Implications for California

Economic: Strong arts programs feed local cultural institutions and creative industries, and can support after-school employment and cultural tourism — but if exemplary programs depend heavily on local fundraising, statewide equity may lag.

Political: The mix of Title I and affluent schools among winners offers bipartisan talking points: accountability and outcomes for some, efficient use of resources and partnerships for others. Policymakers may consider targeted incentives to scale successful models without expanding unsustainable recurring obligations.

Social and cultural: Arts instruction can boost engagement and support English learners and students with disabilities through alternative modes of expression. Programs that center local cultures and languages deepen community ties and help preserve regional arts traditions.

Sources and documentation

Primary sources for this coverage include the California Department of Education’s pages and local education coverage. Key references:

Reporting based on CDE materials and local education coverage: CDE news release; CDE arts education pages; awardee listing; ACSA summary; LA County coverage.

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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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