Side x Side | Awakening Tomorrow's Innovators through Art

Awakening Tomorrow's Innovators through Art

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Side x Side is a Portland–based nonprofit organization that serves Maine communities through creative, arts-based in-school classroom programs, professional development, and community art programs. We are driven to help students and teachers connect to what they are learning and to themselves, helping them to feel engaged, confident, and an integral part of their community.

We believe the best education has creativity at its heart.

Side x Side uses an arts-integrated model to explore academic content through the arts. By engaging in this creative process, students learn to practice an art form, demonstrate their understanding of academic content, and make meaningful products that can be presented to a broad audience… all in one unit! This truly experiential learning is naturally engaging for both students and teachers.

I have been so impressed by the Side x Side project at Reiche School. The hands-on nature of the Moving Oceans unit, working with professionals in their fields, made the learning relevant, exciting, and inspiring to my daughter. This experience has inspired her to want to be a marine biologist when she grows up!

Parent of a second-grade student participating in a Side x Side sculpture & illustration program

In the beginning, it was really hard to collaborate and work in groups to create our film but in the end I loved the project because Side x Side helped me learn about myself and learn about my classmates.

Fifth-grade student participating in a Side x Side film program

It is imperative that we equip our students with the skills necessary to compete in the 21st century, and Side x Side recognizes that critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration are at the top of the list.

US Senator Angus King