At Side x Side, art is at the heart of learning!
Apply here for a Side x Side Arts Integration Grant for the 2026–2027 school year!
All Pre-K through 12 teachers or specialists can apply (including ESOL, Special Education, and Unified Arts).
How Does It Work?
- Choose Your Own Curriculum
Start with what you’re already teaching. What feels exciting, challenging, or complex? What Social Studies, Science, Math, or Literacy unit could be brought to life using the arts? - Work with Your Side x Side Teaching Artist
Side x Side pairs you with a trained teaching artist to plan. Together you’ll thoughtfully weave art making into your unit and collaboratively create a teaching plan that works for your students. You teach your curriculum — your teaching artist brings the art! - Celebrate Student Success
With your teaching artist, create a community Celebration of Learning where you and your students showcase the incredible work created during your arts-integrated unit. A Celebration of Learning is a powerful way to honor student voice, creativity, and growth. This event can also be a great assessment tool!
Before you begin the application:
You’ll need your school, grade, and teaching cohort and then, the BIG Idea!
Could science or literacy turn into:
- A physical theater performance?
- A painted mural on your school wall?
- Informational books?
- Paper-mâché sculpture?
Dream a little! We’ll help shape how students show their learning through an art form!
What’s Next?
If your application gets selected, we will notify you by early June.
Expectations:
- Schedule planning time with your teaching artist at the beginning of the school year — even if your project will take place in the spring.
- Schedule times for the teaching artist to come into your classroom.
- Bring in a visiting expert to support your curriculum, if applicable.
- Use our Teaching and Learning Map to collaboratively track your program.
- Prepare the students by pre-teaching the core content.
- Make some art alongside your students! (teachers must be present during programs)
- Help schedule and facilitate a Celebration of Learning of student work.
- Attend a wrap up meeting with your teaching artist.
What Do You Get?
Every Side x Side program features:
- A professional teaching artist.
- Planning/implementation support from Side x Side’s experienced staff.
- All arts materials.
- Student interns (typically from the University of Southern Maine).
- Visiting community experts connected to your content.
- A Kick-Off experience.
- 6–10 arts-integrated sessions with your teaching artist.
- A Celebration of Learning showcasing student work.
Need Inspiration?
Check out examples of past Side x Side projects:
Questions? Want to know more about our work?
Contact Meghan Scribner at meghan@sidexsideme.com
Side x Side is supported through grants, foundations, corporate and private donations and PTOs. Our programs include art materials, teaching artists, coaching, and visiting experts. For more information about our costs and funding, please reach out to info@sidexsideme.com.