The Brevard County School Board has been named the 2008 honoree for the School Board Award from the Arts for a Complete Education/Florida Alliance for Arts Education (ACE/FAAE). The School Board Award is the highest honor conferred by the Alliance and recognizes Florida School Boards that have implemented and sustained exemplary arts education programs that provide a creative learning environment for outstanding student achievement. Members of the Board are: Robert Jordan, chairman; Dr. Barbara Murray, vice-chairman; Amy Kneessey; Karen Henderson; and Andy Ziegler. “This Board is most deserving of this tremendous recognition,” said former Superintendent Dr. Richard A. DiPatri. “Our Board Members’ commitment has solidified Brevard Public Schools as a leader in arts education. Our entire community benefits from their steadfast support of the arts in our schools.” 

Brevard Public Schools is known across the state and the nation for other arts accolades. Recently, BPS was recognized as a national leader in music education.  The NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation named Brevard one of the country’s “Best Communities for Music Education,” one of only 110 school districts across the United States.  BPS is one of only three districts in Florida to be honored. Meanwhile, Brevard has a total of 23 of the 31 Music Demonstration Schools statewide and all five honorable mention sites, leading the state in this program.

Brevard encourages the arts in a variety of ways. Every fifth grade student may attend a live performance of The Brevard Symphony Orchestra Fifth Grade Children’s Concert during the school day, free of charge. Additionally, Brevard has provided a separate middle school and high school theater experience program.  For example, the Senior High School Theater Experience offers every 11th grade student the opportunity see a live performance at the King Center. In each of the theater programs there are pre and post educational components to enhance the viewing experience. Students in grades 7-12 can audition to participate in The Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra. If chosen, they have the opportunity to rehearse and perform with nationally recognized conductors as well as local clinicians. Strings programs in every school emphasize and support this youth symphony.

Brevard also collaborates with the community and provides for Artist in Residency programs. For example, the VSA-arts provides inclusive programs for special needs students including the Playwright Discovery Program, Start with the Arts, Arts for All, a Touring Student Art Exhibit, Artist In Residencies, and the yearly culminating festival at the Brevard Zoo. Brevard’s work with the Brevard Cultural Alliance (BCA) includes a Cultural Arts Advisory Network (CAAN), Partners in Art, Candidates Forum, and Artist in Residency Program. Because of the partnership between the BCA and the School Board, the district added 14 additional artists in the schools. In addition, the BCA sponsors the Excellence in Visual Arts Award (EVA) for deserving K-12 art programs in Brevard schools. 

Finally, Brevard has established strong relationships with several playhouses in the community. They provide instruction and support in the areas of set design, costuming and choreography. In addition, local community dance companies work with BPS “schools of the arts” to assist with various productions and also participate in Brevard’s Summer Fine Arts Program.