Free Arts Integration Learning Opportunities!

Oregon is leading the way in arts-integrated education with the launch of the Arts, Care & Connection (ACC) initiative, a free resource providing K-5 educators with high-quality, artist-led learning modules.  

Developed by Arts for Learning Northwest in collaboration with ODE, arts partners, and teaching artists across Oregon, the ACC project will culminate in 96 stand-alone, one-hour learning modules, each including a detailed lesson plan, instructional videos, and a slide deck.  Modules are currently available online, with additional lessons added throughout 2025.

Excited to learn more about integrating new forms of the arts into your classroom, or looking to promote arts integration across your school curriculum with colleagues? Arts for Learning Northwest is hosting an artistic practices series of free, virtual professional development sessions this April! Earn PDUs and have fun learning about arts integration!

• Introducing Creative Movement Strategies in the Elementary Classroom - April 8 @ 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

• Introducing Visual Arts Strategies in the Elementary Classroom - April 15 @ 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

• Introducing Music Strategies in the Elementary Classroom - April 22 @ 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

• Introducing Theater Strategies in the Elementary Classroom - April 29 @ 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Already using these lessons?  For the 2024-25 school year, educators implementing Arts, Care & Connection lessons can receive free classroom art materials for providing feedback from students and families through the Well-Rounded Courses Access Grant funds. Our feedback guide explains the process to gather feedback and request your free art materials! Please take the time to complete the few easy steps, so we can share our gratitude for your participation!

If you are teaching these lessons with elementary students and are interested in participating in a focus group, please respond to this short survey. The purpose of the survey is to learn more about where and what you teach so we can include diverse perspectives in the focus groups. The survey will take fewer than 5 minutes to complete, and the focus group members if chosen, will be compensated for their time at $75/hour.

For more information or to schedule a site visit, contact us at ODE.WRCoursesGrant@ode.oregon.gov. 

Arts Ed for the Earth

Promote learning about our Earth through the arts this April! Check out these resources integrating the arts with environmental education:

• Earth Day.org provides resources for students of all ages to learn about the environment through the arts
• The 14th annual Ocean Awareness Contest is a platform for young people to learn about environmental issues through art-making and creative communication, explore their relationship to a changing world, and become advocates for positive change. Students ages 11-18 from around the world are invited to participate.
• The Smithsonian Learning Lab has a collection dedicated to Environmental Advocacy through the Arts and a student activity of Music as an Environmental Advocacy Approach to inspire your students' work and learning!
• With the Indigenous STEAM curriculum, you can explore your relations with water, food, and plant and bird relatives through storytelling and listening, drawing, and more, right outside your door!

Photo By: Kaboompics.com

Note: Unless hosted, facilitated, or published by The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), these resources have not been endorsed by ODE, but are being shared as relevant opportunities for arts education professionals to consider.

Oregon Arts Education Collective Open to New Members!

The Oregon Arts Education Collective connects and nourishes arts education practitioners and advocates, using our collective power to cultivate thriving arts ecosystems across the state. 

The Collective will relaunch in June and is currently seeking new members. There are a few ways to join the Collective-- you can join as a full participant and attend monthly virtual meetings. If you are interested in this role, you can also apply for a stipend of $1200 to support your participation for the year. Alternatively, you can choose to join for only the quarterly learning sessions. 

You can learn more about the Collective here. 

If you are interested in joining as a monthly participant (and applying for a stipend) or for quarterly learning sessions, you can fill out this form here. 

There is an info session on April 7th at noon PT on zoom. The recording will be sent to anyone who registers. Register here. 

Reminder: National Coalition for Arts Standards (NCAS) Announces Review of National Arts Standards

Eleven years after the release of the National Arts Standards in 2014, the National Coalition for Arts Standards (NCAS) will launch a thorough survey to collect data on the National Standards for dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts.

The National Arts Standards have played and continue to play an integral role in improving and supporting arts education for America's students. With nearly all states having revised the state’s arts education standards since 2014, this review process will help us gather the latest knowledge, research, and best practices while addressing the evolving needs of the nation’s students and ensure that the arts remain central to a well-rounded education.

To best inform decision-making and to ensure transparency in the review, all arts educators, thought partners, education and arts organizations, and stakeholders with interests in arts education are asked to provide critical feedback to guide the process.

Your participation is vital to shaping the future of arts education. Please complete the public input survey by May 16, 2025. Additional information and ways to be involved will be shared in the coming months.

If you have any questions, please email contact@nationalartsstandards.org.

Oregon Department of Education Youth Advisory Council Opportunities

Oregon students, we want your input!

Get paid to shape education in your state! Work with the Oregon Department of Education to provide youth voice and input in policy making through the Youth Advisory Council. Connect with other youth and student leaders from across the state to lead the development of current youth leadership and engagement programs. 

Details: 

• Young People Ages 14-18 are eligible
• Meetings are monthly, virtual, and in the evenings 
• Term of service is 1 year

Visit our website to learn more and Apply by May 9th!

ODE Youth Advisory Council Questions? Contact Amy Hodge, Youth Advisory Council Coordinator amy.hodge@ode.oregon.gov Cell: (503) 385-6182

7th Annual Arts Olympiad Seeking Entries

The Arts Olympiad is a free global art program sponsored by the International Child Art Foundation for students aged 8-12 that blends creativity with physical activity. Schools, studios, and homeschoolers can participate before December 16, 2025. Winning artists will be invited to the 7th World Children’s Festival in June 2026 in Washington, D.C.

See site for details and entry form.

Image by Bianca Van Dijk on Pixabay

Dear Education Partners, 

We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the Immigrant/Refugee Student Success Advisory Group! The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is seeking passionate individuals—including students, educators, and community members—to serve on this advisory group. Members will help guide the implementation of the Immigrant/Refugee Student Success Plan, ensuring that policies, programs, and investments effectively support immigrant and refugee students across Oregon.

Who Should Apply?

According to ORS 329.849, the advisory group must include:

• individuals who identify as immigrant/refugees
• students who identify as immigrant/refugees
• representatives of community-based organizations serving immigrant/refugee communities
• education partners, including representatives from the Department of Early Learning and Care, Youth Development Oregon, and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, roles, and lived experiences.

Commitment & Meeting Schedule

• Virtual monthly meetings (third Thursday of each month, 1:00–3:00 PM PST)
• First meetings: May 22 & June 19, 2025. then will resume in September.
• Annual in-person retreat (between school years)
• Term length: Two or three years

How to Apply

Applications open February 26, 2025, and must be submitted by Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 5:00 PM (PST).

Submit your application here

If you prefer to apply via phone, video call, written letter, or need translation services or accommodations, please contact us at ODE.ImmigrantRefugee.Success@ode.oregon.gov. For any questions, feel free to reach out. We appreciate your support in sharing this opportunity with your networks!

Playa Art/Sci Awarded Residency Opportunity

Art/Sci Awarded Residencies are funded opportunities available through an application process and awarded to artists and scientists actively working to promote dialogue and positive environmental change. Residents are awarded a residency in a cohort made up of 6-10 artists and scientists spanning many disciplines. Residents stay in 1- or 2-bedroom cabins free of charge, and are responsible for their own travel costs and food while they are in residence. Surrounded by the richness of both the Fremont National Forest and BLM public lands, PLAYA’s programs provide ample space for study, exploration and inspiration within the high desert’s living laboratory.

Application Deadline: Saturday, May 31, 2025 by 11:59pm Pacific time. See site for details and application.