Fine Arts
This fine arts web page provides clarification, guidance, and support to fine arts stakeholders, including districts, schools, parents, educators, and students, for the development and implementation of the K–12 fine arts Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Announcements
- Fine arts engagement sessions: To provide guidance regarding common questions related to fine arts, TEA’s enrichment team will be providing a set of interactive engagement sessions.
- Future engagement sessions: Registration information for future engagement sessions will be posted on this page.
- New fine arts prerequisites document: TEA has created a new reference document to assist educators, counselors, and stakeholders understand the prerequisites for fine arts courses listed under the 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 117. Readers may find this new reference document under the Fine Arts Resources section.
Fine Arts TEKS
The links below provide access to the web-based version of the fine arts Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), which are the state standards for what students should know and be able to do. You can also access a PDF version of the TEKS.
Fine Arts Resources
The following resource has been provided to assist stakeholders in identifying the prerequisites for TEKS-based fine arts courses.
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.
The following resource provides a list of approved teacher certifications for instructors of fine arts.
The certifications for Grades K-5 are –
The certifications for Grades 6-8 are –
The certifications for Grades 9-12 are –
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:
For fine arts educators who teach a UIL-sponsored activity, such as marching band, one-act play, or drill team, please refer to the listed resources below for guidance. All other UIL-specific questions should be directed to the UIL office (outside source).
- TEA-UIL Side-by-Side (outside source)
- UIL Theatre & Film (outside source)
- UIL Music (outside source)
- UIL Cheerleading and Drill Team (outside source)
External Fine Arts Resources
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)
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)
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)
Visual Arts Education
- Texas Art Education Association (outside source)
- National Art Education Association (outside source)
Curriculum Standards and Student Support
(512) 463-9581
For questions or additional information, please submit a Curriculum Request Form through the Curriculum Help Desk.
Please subscribe for newsletter updates from the fine arts team.
Enrichment Team
Deb Dorman
Enrichment Director
Weston Scholten
Enrichment Specialist
Barney Fudge
Health and Physical Education Specialist