Fine Arts

student on stage with microphone appears to be singing. There is a group of students behind her on the stage and two acoustic guitars to the left of the student.

 

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: In February 2024, TEA’s Enrichment Education staff held its first round of fine arts engagement sessions. These engagement sessions are designed for educators, administrators, and counselors with the goal of highlighting important fine arts topics and commonly asked questions. The next round of fine arts engagement sessions will include the following:

  • Curriculum requirements for fine arts
  • Educator certification requirements for fine arts
  • Breakouts: Unpacking the TEKS

As part of these sessions, opportunities will be provided to discuss these topics with other meeting attendees and ask TEA staff questions. These two session opportunities are repeated information.

The following two options are available for attending the next round of fine arts engagement sessions:

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.

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).

External Fine Arts Resources

General Arts Education

Dance Education

Music Education

Theatre Education

Visual Arts Education

Contact Information

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