Oyster Bay-East Norwich CSD honored for excellence in visual arts education
Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District has been named a Community of Excellence in Visual Arts and awarded a 2025 VISION Endorsement by the New York State Art Teachers Association (NYSATA) – one of only 25 districts across New York State to earn this prestigious designation.
The NYSATA VISION Endorsement is awarded to schools and districts that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to visual arts education through sequential, standards-based instruction that prioritizes inclusivity, equity and accessibility. Recognized programs are those that go beyond the classroom to ensure every student can engage deeply with the arts by developing the creative thinking and expressive skills that prepare them for an ever-evolving world.
At OBEN, that commitment is evident throughout student life. Young artists regularly take their work beyond school walls, exhibiting through the Art Guild, the Heckscher Museum, the All-County Art Show and the Media Arts Show at Five Towns College. The district has also just received New York State approval to offer the Individual Arts Assessment Pathway at Oyster Bay-East Norwich Middle/High School, which is a graduation option that opens doors to professional and educational opportunities in the arts and reflects the district's belief that a rigorous arts education belongs at the center of student achievement.
The VISION Endorsement recognizes districts that don't just teach art but weave it into the fabric of the community through inclusivity and rigorous standards, said Erica Giglio Pac, Director of Fine, Performing and Media Arts at OBEN.
In Oyster Bay-East Norwich, we believe the arts are essential for preparing next-generation thinkers. This honor belongs to our incredible students and art faculty – Ms. Brustman, Ms. Miley, Mr. Boris, Mr. Chocianowski and Ms. Randazzo – whose passion for visual arts education elevates our program to a state-recognized level of excellence. We are honored to be a model for what a comprehensive K-12 arts program can achieve.
