McAllen ISD has earned the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) Visual Arts Award for 2026, making McAllen ISD a District of Distinction for the seventh consecutive year.
Only the top nine percent of Texas districts, including McAllen ISD, earned the honor.
“This award recognizes the creativity and hard work of our dedicated teachers and talented students,” McAllen ISD Superintendent Dr. René Gutiérrez said. “Our community takes immense pride in our students’ achievements in both the visual arts and fine arts.”
McAllen ISD will officially receive the award at a TAEA conference on November 13 in Galveston.
For the 2026 award, more than 1,200 districts were eligible to apply. Each district submitted documentation they met from the 14-point rubric over the 2025-26 school year. Only 109 districts met the high standard. The Visual Art Administrators of Texas, a division of TAEA, recognizes districts with outstanding leadership in promoting the arts in their district and community.
The rubric examines the district’s visual arts program from participation in TAEA through membership, exhibitions, contests, and community engagement in the visual arts through field experiences, community service, and collaboration with other content areas.
Districts received the honor for providing a well-rounded education that advocates and integrates visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity and build social-emotional learning that connects learners to their community and beyond.
“The visual arts provide a forum for our students to channel their imagination and spark their creativity,” McAllen ISD Fine Arts Director Debra Loya said. “These students have consistently earned prestigious honors at the district, regional and state level for many years. We are so proud.”
TAEA is the leading advocate for the visual arts in the state. This is the eighth year that TAEA has honored districts that met rigorous criteria based on data.
About McAllen ISD
McAllen ISD is a 2025 winner of the state’s highest rating of an “A” grade and a 2025 winner of the state’s Postsecondary Readiness Distinction. The district is home to 31 campuses and approximately 19,500 students. To learn more about McAllen ISD’s schools and programs, contact Student Outreach at 956-687-MISD (6473).
About TAEA
TAEA is the largest state professional organization for art educators in the United States. It is the mission of TAEA to promote quality visual arts education through leadership, advocacy, service, and professional development.