Founded in 1989

Arts for a Complete Education (ACE) began in 1989 as a collaborative effort among the Florida Department of State/Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, represented by Valerie Ohlsson, Arts in Education; the Florida Department of Education represented by the late June Hinckley, Fine Arts Specialist; and Dr. Mary Palmer, Professor, University of Central Florida. With funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Arts in Basic Education Grant Program, over 150 arts, arts education and community leaders crafted a strategic plan for arts education in Florida. This plan was vetted through 12 public meetings in which over 1,200 citizens participated throughout the state. ACE merged with the Florida Alliance for Arts Education in 1994 to serve as the statewide umbrella organization for arts education in Florida.

Highlights

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.

2018  

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.

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.

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).    

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.

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.  

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.

2004

Office moved from Orlando to Tallahassee.     

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.

2002

Coalitions development strengthened.

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.

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.

1999-2007   

First Lady Columbia Bush initiates the “First Lady’s Arts Recognition” resulting in an increase in state funding for arts education.   

1997-2001

FAAE develops a business plan with support fro the Denali initiative on Social Enterprise, a program of the Manchester Craftsman Guild.  

1997

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.

1996-2005

ACE Coalition Development Grant:  Teacher Assistance Program.

FAAE webpage development.

1996-1998

ACE Coalition Regional Forum held on Student Success

1996-1997

FAAE implements Kennedy Center’s Creative Ticket for Student Success campaign tour.

1996

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.

1995-1996

Goals 2000 Regional Workshop series in partnership with the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs.     

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.

1993

Arts Education Recruitment of Minorities (research/document project).

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.

1991-2002   

ACExpressions newsletter distributed statewide.

1991-2001   

ACE Day at the Capitol held; first annual arts education event in Tallahassee.

1989-90

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.

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.

1981  

FAAE (Florida Alliance for Arts Education) established as a non-profit organization.