Making the District among the top 5.5 percent in art education in the state.

The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) announced the 68 winners of the 2023 District of Distinction Award. Among the list of honorees is Hutto ISD.

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. Hutto ISD has won four out of the five years the distinction has been available.

For the 2023 award, over 1,200 districts were eligible to apply. Each district submitted documentation they met from the 14-point rubric over the 2021-2022 school year. Only 68 districts met the high standard and will receive the outstanding honor indicating they are in the top 5.5 percent in art education of districts in the state. 

“Hutto ISD has set a high standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum, encouraged creativity, community participation and student growth,” said Sandra Newton, 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.”

"We are proud to be among the 13 visual art programs across the state that earned this accomplishment for the fourth time," said Dr. Celina Estrada Thomas, Hutto ISD superintendent. 

“The Hutto ISD Fine Arts teachers have worked tremendously hard to earn this award again. I am so proud of the work they do. They truly want to give students a robust and fulfilling art experience.” said Amber Kingsley, Hutto ISD Fine Arts Director.

Hutto ISD will be honored at the TAEA Administration & Supervision Division meeting and General Session during the TAEA Fall Conference General Assembly on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.