Kentucky guidelines for establishing a local Seal of Arts Excellence
The purpose of these guidelines is to help districts and schools establish a Seal of Arts Excellence or other programs to recognize high school graduates who demonstrate an advanced level of specialization, as determined by the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for the Visual and Performing Arts, in a visual and performing arts area of interest.
What is a local Seal of Arts Excellence?
As local boards of education award diplomas and determine how to best recognize students for their various accomplishments, the following information will provide guidance on what to consider when establishing a local Seal of Arts Excellence.
How may a student earn a Seal of Arts Excellence?
A local board of education or governing board may determine if and how students may become eligible to earn a local Seal of Arts Excellence based on evidence that they have demonstrated an advanced level of specialization in the KAS for Visual and Performing Arts in their chosen art form(s). Boards of education may support students in developing the skills and understanding needed to earn a local Seal of Arts Excellence prior to high school. The seal will be awarded to a high school graduate.
At the high school level, students may choose to specialize in one or more art forms to earn a local Seal of Arts Excellence. The standards for Visual and Performing Arts incorporate the five arts disciplines of dance, media art, music, theatre and visual art. Such specialization will enable students to study an art form in an in-depth manner, and work toward achieving an advanced demonstration in creating, performing/producing/presenting, responding and connecting to their chosen art form as established by the KAS for Visual and Performing Arts. Students who choose to specialize in an art form will participate in performance-based arts courses designed to develop skills and understanding that will enable them to use the art form as a high-level communication tool. This is accomplished through the development of skills in the students' chosen processes that artists engage in to make the arts.
What are possible criteria for eligibility?
Please see the Kentucky Guidelines for Establishing a Local Seal of Arts Excellence document.
How might students be recognized for attaining the local Seal of Arts Excellence?
Student commendations may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Indication of the Seal of Arts Excellence on the transcript/e-transcript (available for 2022-2023);
- Special seal on the diploma;
- Graduation cord or sash for the ceremony;
- Senior Night award or certificate; and/or
- Verbal or written recognition in the graduation program or ceremony.
Where may additional resources/guidance be found?
Additional information to support local schools and districts in designing and implementing the local Seal of Arts Excellence include, but are not limited to, the following:
For more information, please contact: kdearts@education.ky.gov