Excellence in Museum Education Award

Superintendent's Award

Recognizing Excellence in Museum Education

The Superintendent’s Award for Excellence in Museum Education competition recognizes the outstanding achievements in California museum programs that serve K-12 students and/or educators. The competition is the joint project of the sponsors, the California Association of Museums (CAM) and the California Department of Education (CDE). Since 2012, the competition has recognized 75 programs, presented by a diverse range of institutions that demonstrate the vibrant contributions museums make to California’s K-12 educational system. In 2025, CAM and the CDE recognized three outstanding programs that took place in 2024.

Program Information

A component of the California Department of Education (CDE) California School Recognition Program (CSRP), the Superintendent’s Award for Excellence in Museum Education (Superintendent’s Award) is a joint project of the CDE and the California Association of Museums (CAM) . The Superintendent's Award recognizes the outstanding achievements in California museum programs that serve California’s kindergarten through grade twelve (K–12) students and/or educators. Since its beginning in 2012, the Superintendent’s Award has received applications presented by a diverse range of institutions that demonstrate the vibrant contributions museums make to California’s K–12 educational system.

Eligibility Criteria

All types of museums are invited to submit an application, including zoos, aquariums, science centers, children’s museums, botanical gardens, and historical societies. In order for a museum to qualify for the Superintendent’s Award, the museum must be located in California and be a legally organized nonprofit organization or government entity. Foundations, friends groups, or services organizations that collaborate with multiple museums to administer the program are also eligible.

The previous year's Superintendent's Awardees are not eligible to apply for the current year application process.

Application

The application, award instructions, and rubric may be found on the CAM Excellence in Museum Education Award web page .

For additional information regarding the Superintendent’s Award Application, please contact CAM by email at engagement@calmuseums.org.

Timeline of Activities

Resources

California Association of Museums 2021 Virtual Summits
Information about the California Association of Museums 2021 Virtual Summits.

Superintendent's Award for Excellence in Museum Education Awardees
Superintendent’s Award for Excellence in Museum Education Awardees information.