Florida Seal of Fine Arts

The Florida Seal of Fine Arts Program was established within the Department of Education to recognize high school graduates who have met exemplary benchmarks in fine arts coursework. Initiated in 2024 following the passage of HB 523, the goals of the Florida Seal of Fine Arts are as follows:

• Celebrate students who demonstrate high levels of commitment and proficiency in the fine arts (as defined in Florida Statute 1003.4995 including dance, music, theater, and visual arts) through personal expression and creative experiences in fine arts education programs
• Explore innovative pathways in the fine arts that cultivate skills for 21st-century success
• Prepare students for college and career readiness through active participation in artistic endeavors
• Promote increased access to well-rounded, high-quality fine arts education across the district

The Florida Seal of Fine Arts designates graduating seniors who have dedicated a significant portion of their high school journey to the study and pursuit of excellence in their fine arts field. 

 The application process will be conducted online through a link that will be posted on this website upon the opening of the application window. The guidelines below will allow students to upload portfolio files and any supporting documentation using this site.  

The application window will open on January 7, 2025 and close on Monday, March 10, 2025. 

To view the language of the Florida Seal of Fine Arts, please review Rule 6A-1.09952 Requirements for the Florida Seal of Fine Arts or read the full text of the rule below. This Florida Seal of Fine Arts began on July 1, 2024.

This is a state-level honor, but applications, tracking progress toward requirements, coordination, communication,
and distribution of Fine Arts Seals will happen at the district level.

Student Requirements to Qualify for the Florida Seal of Fine Arts: 24-25 School Year

Pursuant to Section 1003.4321, Florida Statutes, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, the Florida Seal of Fine Arts shall be awarded to a high school student who has

1. Earned a standard high school diploma;
2. Successfully completed at least three (3) year-long courses in dance, music, theater, or the visual arts with a grade of “A” or higher in each course or earned three (3) sequential course credits in such courses with a grade of “A” or higher in each course; 
   and
3. Meets a minimum of two (2) of the following requirements: 
   1. Successfully completes a fine arts International Baccalaureate, advanced placement, dual enrollment or honors course in the subjects listed in the paragraph above with a grade of “B” or higher.
   2. Participate in a district or statewide organization’s juried event as a selected student participant for 2 or more years. 
   3. Records at least 25 volunteer hours of arts-related community service in his or her community and presents a comprehensive presentation on his or her experiences according to district procedures.
   4. Meets the requirements of a portfolio-based program identifying the student as an exemplary practitioner of the fine arts as described in subsection (3). 
   5. Receives district, state, or national recognition for the creation and submission of an original work of art. Note: The term “work of art” means a musical or theatrical composition, visual artwork, or choreographed routine or performance.

For qualifying fine arts course options, please see the Florida Department of Education course code directory at 2024-2025 Course Directory (fldoe.org)

1.  Purpose - The Florida Seal of Fine Arts Program was established to recognize high school graduates who have met exemplary benchmarks in fine arts coursework by the award of a seal on a standard high school diploma. The purpose of the Florida Seal of Fine Arts Program is to encourage students to develop an exemplary level of proficiency in the performing or visual arts.
2.  Definitions -
   1. “Fine arts” means dance, music, theatre and visual arts (Florida Statute 1003.4995)
   2. “Juried event” means a district or statewide organization’s event where a student or group of students are judged by one or more judges on the selected fine arts discipline of their choosing and receive a scored rating and written or oral feedback.
   3.  “Original work of art” means a work of art that the student creates.
   4. “Work of art” means a musical or theatrical composition, visual artwork, or choreographed routine or performance.
3. Portfolio Option - Portfolios described in paragraph (2)(c) of this rule must meet the following requirements:
   1. Portfolios must include at least one (1) and not more than eight (8) separate works of art within one fine arts discipline. Students must submit photographs or prints showing their original works of visual art, and must submit video recordings for portfolios showing dance, music, or theater performances. Dance, music or theater portfolios may include original works created by the student or the performance of works created by others. Districts are authorized to develop procedures specifying minimum and maximum length for recorded submissions.
   2. School district-appointed personnel must review the portfolio using the “Florida Seal of Fine Arts Portfolio Rubric” (Form FA-2) to determine if the student is an exemplary practitioner of fine arts. A score of eighteen (18) or higher qualifies as exemplary. Portfolio reviewers must hold a valid, active Florida Professional Educator Certificate pursuant to Rule 6A-4.004, F.A.C., in the student’s specific discipline (Art, Dance, Drama, or Music), unless the district does not have anyone with that certification in the district or that person is unavailable. 
4. Insignia - The Commissioner of Education must provide to each school district an appropriate insignia to be affixed to the student’s diploma indicating that the student has been awarded the Florida Seal of Fine Arts in accordance with this rule. The district must also record on a student’s transcript that he or she earned the Florida Seal of Fine Arts.
5. School District Reporting - Each school district must maintain records showing which students earned the Florida Seal of Fine Arts and must report this information to the Department in accordance with Rule 6A-1.0014, F.A.C., Comprehensive Management Information System.
6. Documents Incorporated by Reference - The following documents are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule.
   1. The Florida Seal of Fine Arts Eligibility Form, Form FA-1, effective September 2024.
   2. The Florida Seal of Fine Arts Portfolio Rubric, Form FA-2, effective September 2024. 
   3. The Florida Seal of Fine Arts Statement, Form FA-3, effective September 2024. 
   4. The Florida Seal of Fine Arts Volunteer Hour Tracker, Form FA-4, effective September 2024.