In conjunction with the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network (KCAAEN), which sponsors the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts School of Excellence and National School of Distinction Awards Program, AEMS Alliance honors individual Maryland public schools for Outstanding Achievement in Arts Education. AEMS Alliance/KCAAEN award programs encourage and celebrate outstanding work that incorporates the arts as an essential part of every student’s education.  State level School of Excellence Award nomination documents, guidelines, and applications are available on the News and Events page of the AEMS website in October of each year.  Up to five candidates from past state-level award winners are nominated for the National School of Distinction consideration each year.

AEMS Alliance also provides the opportunity for Maryland school boards of public school systems to be selected for state recognition and subsequent nomination for consideration of the Kennedy Center/ National School Boards Association (NSBA) $10,000 national award.  Maryland school boards that have demonstrated support for and commitment to high-quality arts education in their school district, community, state or special jurisdiction are invited to submit nomination materials for this annual award. AEMS/NSBA nomination documents and applications are available on the News and Events page of the AEMS website in June of each year.

AEMS Alliance and the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network (KCAAEN) congratulate Maryland public schools that are recipients of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts recognition awards for Outstanding Achievement in Arts Education.  Since the inception of the AEMS/KCAAEN recognition program in 2006, twenty-four awards for exemplary arts programs have been awarded to Maryland public schools.  On the national level, six Maryland schools have won the prestigious and highly competitive National School of Distinction Award, and on the state level, eighteen schools from across the state of Maryland have won the School of Excellence Award.  AEMS is pleased to honor these extraordinary schools during the Cultural Arts for Education (CAFE) conference each year.