The mission of the Florida Alliance for Arts Education is to foster student achievement and whole-child development through a rich, interdisciplinary education where the arts are central to learning, growth, and lifelong success.
Our vision is a future where every student in Florida thrives through an education that embraces the arts as essential to academic success, creative expression, and personal growth.
To realize this vision, we focus our work on two pillars:
Professional Learning and Support
We empower educators, teaching artists, administrators, and curriculum leaders by providing high-quality professional learning experiences that integrate the arts intentionally across all subject areas. By strengthening instructional practice, we enhance student engagement, deepen understanding, and promote achievement through interdisciplinary, arts-rich education.
Advocacy for Arts Education
We advocate at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure arts education is valued, supported, and funded. Through strategic partnerships with art education component organizations, local arts coalitions, school districts, etc., we amplify the voice of the arts education community and influence policy that safeguards equitable access to the arts for every learner in Florida.
Our History
1980-1989
1981
FAAE (Florida Alliance for Arts Education) established as a non-profit organization.
1988
AISBEG (Arts in Basic Education Grant) - funding flowed from the NEA (National Endowment of the Arts) through the Florida Department of State/Division of Cultural Affairs - a collaboration among the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Department of State/Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Arts Council.
1989
Task Force formed to develop an Arts Education Strategic Plan for Florida 100+ people representing education, the arts, and communities worked together to develop the plan. Presented at 10 meetings throughout the state - all input was considered, revised, and finalized.
1989
ACE (Arts for a Complete Education) was formed.
1990-1999
1991
ACExpressions newsletter distributed statewide.
ACE Day at the Capitol held; first annual arts education event in Tallahassee.
1992
ACE Teacher Incentive Program established; included published anthology for many years.
State funds to grants were cut, ACE is maintained by funds from the Kennedy Center.
ACE/FAAE publishes Children and the Arts: early intervention arts programs Funding came from the Florida Department of State/Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Department of Education.
1993
Arts Education Recruitment of Minorities (research/document project).
1994
Florida was the first state to endorse the National Standards for Arts Education - ACE led the effort; role within blueprint and Goals 2000 adopted.
ACE merged with FAAE (Florida Alliance for Arts Education) to build stronger network for arts education; ACE Coalition model established and handbook produced.
The Role of the Arts and in Dropout Prevention (research/document project)
Technology and Arts Education (document published)
Education Commissioner Frank Brogan was actively involved with ACE; provided a close connection with the Governor's Office.
1995
Goals 2000 Regional Workshop series in partnership with the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs.
1996
ACE Coalition Development Grant: Teacher Assistance Program.
FAAE webpage development.
ACE Coalition Regional Forum held on Student Success
FAAE implements Kennedy Center’s Creative Ticket for Student Success campaign tour.
Florida Higher Education Arts Network (FHEAN) conference held in partnership with ACE/FAAE.
Implementation of standards within school reform.
Sunshine State Standards adopted with arts education included as a core subject.
1997
FAAE develops a business plan with support fro the Denali initiative on Social Enterprise, a program of the Manchester Craftsman Guild.
Arts and the Very Special Learner - Partnership research project with VSA arts of Florida.
The Arts and the Integrated Curriculum document published.
Florida's Action Agenda document published.
Florida Intersections document published.
Alliance received Strategic Planning grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
1999
First Lady Columbia Bush initiates the “First Lady’s Arts Recognition” resulting in an increase in state funding for arts education.
2000-2009
2000
Established Senate President's Student Art Exhibit in Senate Office Building.
Legislation signed by the Governor to include the arts as a core credit within the 19 credits required for graduation, and in student GPA.
2001
State adopts Grade Level Expectation (GLEs) for music and art education.
Doris Leeper Award for arts education developed.
Arts Achieve Awards Program for schools developed.
2002
Coalitions development strengthened.
2003
Under leadership of FAAE, House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, and June Hinckley (Florida Department of Education), in cooperation with Melane Byrd, "Florida History Through Art" was begun with Florida artist Christopher Still . The project was supported by lesson plans developed by visual arts, social studies, and language arts teachers. Interactive Murals CD developed and distributed across the state.
2004
Office moved from Orlando to Tallahassee.
2005
Florida First Lady Columba Bush’s Arts Initiative re-branded as “Arts for Life!”
Florida History through Art: The Middle School Murals Project” draws outstanding essays and works of art based on student research emulating Still’s work.
Legislative Leader Award is developed.
2006
Through a partnership with the Museum of Florida History and the TREX program of the Department of State, lesson materials were developed to support the Uncle Monday and the other Florida Folk Tales. In collaboration with the university of Central Florida Department of Digital Media, a full-length animation of one of the tales was completed.
2007
First Lady Columbia Bush’s Arts for Life! Program moved to the management of the Foundation for Florida’s Future. ACE/FAAE invited to work with the advisory board.
Office moved back to Orlando from Tallahassee.
2010-present
2015
First Careers in the Arts Workshop Series held at UCF-Valencia and the University of Florida’s Digital Worlds Institute.
First Florida Arts Model Schools Designations (fifteen).
2016
Careers in the Arts Workshop Series held at Full Sail University, Ringling College of Art and Design, and Florida State University.
Strategic Plan Phase 1 completed.
Fourteen Schools received the Florida Arts Model Schools Designation at the Annual Leadership Summit in Daytona Beach.
2018-2019
Careers in the Arts Workshop is held at the USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus, with presentations from the Asolo Scene Shop, Gena Cristiani Costuming, The Ringling Asian Exhibit, Kuniko Yamamoto Origami Air, Sarasota Contemporary Dance, Deb Lombard Movement, Sarasota Youth Orchestra, and Matt Dendy Violin Looping.
CPALMS opens the Arts for a Complete Education (ACE) Collection of lesson plans and resources for use in Florida schools.
Pilot for a REDI area teaching artist residency in the Belle Glade area of Palm Beach County is conducted, with funds from a National Endowment for the Arts Special Initiative Program through the Division of Cultural Affairs.
Florida Teaching Artist Roster plans are discussed throughout the state with guidance from the Division of Cultural Affairs.
FAAE and the FDOE launch the first Advancing Arts Education program.
The Annual Arts Integration Symposium “Arts and Restorative Justice” was held at the Jacksonville Museum for Contemporary Art.
Through a sponsorship from the University of South Florida’s Center for Partners in Arts Integrated Teaching, six “PAInT Across Florida” professional development events occurred in Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Lee, Leon, and Manatee Counties.
The Annual Leadership Summit was held at the Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale and honored Nancy Roucher with the Dr. Mary Palmer Trailblazer Legacy Award. Seven schools received the Florida Arts Model Schools Designation.
The Dr. Mary Palmer Trailblazer Legacy Award is established.
Four schools received the Florida Arts Model Schools designation at the Annual Leadership Summit in Fort Lauderdale.
Office moved from Orlando to Sarasota.