Side x Side Teachers

It’s time to apply for the Side x Side Arts Integration Program Grants for the 2025–2026 school year!

If you are a teacher, specialist (new or experienced) including ESOL, Special Education, and Unified Arts, in the Portland public schools and are interested in having a Side x Side arts-integrated program in your classroom next year, you are eligible to apply for a Side x Side Arts Integration Program Grant.

What is Side x Side’s Arts Integration Model?
We pair teaching artists with classroom teachers to co-design and teach art and core content subjects through creative programs to support and enhance school curriculum, deepening learning, and bringing joy into the classroom.

Why is Arts Integration crucial to learning?
Arts integration fosters creativity, enhances critical thinking, builds resilience and collaborative skills, and deepens core content understanding while providing meaningful access to the curriculum for students who learn in diverse and unique ways.

Close to 800 students and 38 teachers and specialists in Portland public schools participated in Side x Side programs during the 2024–25 school year, bringing more art into classrooms and increasing access to learning for so many students! As we prepare for another successful year, we are full of gratitude for teaching and learning through the arts.

Side x Side programs include:

• Teacher’s choice of curriculum to integrate with the arts.
• Experienced teaching artists to collaboratively design and implement classroom programs.
• A structured model, materials, interns, visiting experts, and Celebration of Learning.
• Comprehensive teaching and learning strategies to support engagement, learning, and well-being.

How to apply for a grant to work with Side x Side in the 2025-26 school year:

• Complete the required Arts Integration Program Grant Application by June 11th.
  Side x Side program grants are open to all teachers and specialists (new or experienced) including ESOL, Special Education, and Unified Arts.
• The selection process: staff review and select applications that demonstrate a strong commitment to integrate the arts into teaching. Grant award notifications will go out in late June with further information arriving in August.

Participant Expectations:

• Planning meetings in August or September: Side x Side provides an arts-integrated Teaching & Learning Map to organize your project.
• Implementation of the arts-integrated unit: Typical programs are 6–12 sessions and include a Kick-off, visiting expert, art making, Celebration of Learning with the school or larger community, and wrap-up meeting to discuss successes and modifications.
• Share program award and facilitate communications: We count on classroom teachers to spread the word, sharing arts-integrated programs with administrators, parents, PTOs, and colleagues. Side x Side provides support including social media posts and newsletter blurbs for you to share with families.