Fine Arts
This site provides information about general curriculum laws and rules for fine arts education. Join our mailing list and receive updates.
The Curriculum Standards and Students Support Division of the TEA provides direction and leadership for the state’s public school art, dance, music, and theatre programs for Kindergarten through grade 12. The division's staff facilitate various fine arts statewide initiatives, including implementation of the fine arts Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and assistance to the TEA Division of Instructional Materials for the adoption process for fine arts instructional materials.
Curriculum Standards
In April 2013, the State Board of Education gave final approval to revised fine arts TEKS for Kindergarten through grade 12. The revised fine arts TEKS were implemented in the 2015-2016 school year.
Instructional Materials
In accordance with Proclamation 2015, a review of instructional materials related to fine arts was conducted in summer 2014. The results of this subject-area review can be found in the Currently Adopted Instructional Materials document on the Instructional Materials Division page.
Professional Development
An online professional development course designed to introduce educators to the revised fine arts is now available through the Texas Gateway.
The professional development course was designed to
- highlight the differences between the existing fine arts TEKS and the revised fine arts TEKS, and
- identify ways teachers can update lessons to meet the requirements of the revised standards.
Participants that complete the course may earn continuing professional education (CPE) credit.
Community-Based Fine Arts Programs
In accordance with the Texas Administrative Code and local district policy, school districts and open-enrollment charter schools may allow a student to satisfy the fine arts credit required for graduation on the Foundation High School Program by participating in a community-based fine arts program not provided by the district or charter school in which the student is enrolled. The fine arts program must provide instruction in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills identified for fine arts by the State Board of Education.
School districts and charter schools must apply to the commissioner of education for approval of each community-based fine arts program. Details regarding the application process can be found in the documents listed below:
- Community-Based Fine Arts Program Approval Request (PDF, 689KB)
- Requesting Approval of Community-Based Fine arts Programs Instructions (PDF, 61KB)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Fine Arts Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 162 KB)
Additional FAQs related to fine arts requirements on the Foundation High School Program are available on the House Bill (HB) 5 webpage.
Related Links
The following organizations may provide more information to support fine arts educators:
General Arts Education
- Texas Commission on the Arts (outside source)
- Texas Cultural Trust (outside source)
- Texas Coalition for Quality Arts Education (outside source)
- Center for Educator Development in Fine Arts (outside source)
- National Endowments for the Arts (outside source)
- Americans for the Arts (outside source)
- Arts Education Partnership (outside source)
Visual Arts Education
- Texas Art Education Association (outside source)
- National Art Education Association (outside source)
Dance Education
- Texas Dance Educators Association (outside source)
- National Dance Education Organization (outside source)
- National Association of School of Dance (outside source)
Music Education
- Texas Music Educators Association (outside source)
- Texas Music Educators Conference (outside source)
- Texas Bandmasters Association (outside source)
- Texas Choral Directors Association (outside source)
- Texas Orchestra Director Association (outside source)
- National Association for Music Education (outside source)
- NAMM Foundation (outside source)
Theatre Education
- Texas Educational Theatre Association, Inc. (outside source)
- Educational Theatre Association (outside source)
- International Thespian Society (outside source)
- American Alliance for Theatre & Education (outside source)
Texas Education Agency
1701 North Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701-1401
Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division
For questions or additional information, please submit a Curriculum Request Form through the TEA Help Desk.
(512) 463-9581