Parents, students, and educators across the district have shared the belief that our schools need more opportunities in music, visual, and performing arts. That’s why we’re launching a new program called the PPS Arts Partnership: A Visiting Artist Program to connect local arts organizations and Portland Public Schools (PPS) students.

The PPS Arts Partnership will bring outstanding local artists into classrooms for art projects or workshops over multiple sessions. During the next school year, five schools will pilot the new program, paving the way for the PPS Arts Partnership to be in every school in 2026-27.

Educators and artists will work together through the PPS Arts Partnership to align with the curriculum, be it through a one-week stay or by bringing in artists at key times over the course of weeks or months. In its pilot year, schools will have a choice of working with 240 Strings, 317 Main, Indigo Arts Alliance, Maine Academy of Modern Music, Portland Museum of Art, Portland Ovations, Portland Stage, Portland Symphony, or Side x Side.