White Bird's Education Outreach Program
The project has blossomed, incorporating the talents of 67 teachers in an interdisciplinary juggernaut that includes courses outside the proscribed "cultural" scope of social studies and history" -Willamette Week
"White Bird is tireless in its efforts to continue its partnership with Portland Public Schools to create an exemplary curriculum for grades 5-12, stressing the integration of the arts with other disciplines." -Ron Wyden, U.S. Senator
Overview
Dedicated to education and broadening the audience of contemporary dance, White Bird has developed a series of programs that bring dance into Portland area schools and dance studios. The programs range from master classes and interactive workshops with major dance companies to an annual month long curriculum taught in the Portland Public Schools (PPS).
Since 2001, White Bird and Portland Public Schools have successfully partnered in developing a month-long multi-disciplinary curriculum on a particular artist or theme inspired by a dance company that White Bird is presenting. The curriculum, taught through the lenses of history, anthropology, literature, art, music and dance, sparks a passion in students who otherwise might not be exposed to contemporary culture. Each project culminates in a free student performance for 2,700 students and teachers by the dance company at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
10th Annual Project with Portland Public Schools
White Bird’s 10th annual education outreach project with Portland Public School will focus on cultural diversity and will culminate in a free student performance for students and teachers participating in the project by Complexions Contemporary Ballet on Wednesday, April 7, 2010.
The First Nine Projects
Alvin Ailey: His Life, Dance and Times
Performance by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on February 28, 2001
The People of the Forest (BaAka Tribe of Central Africa): Cultural Collaboration
Performance by the BaAka Tribe and Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet on November 7, 2001
Hispanic Arts and Culture
Performance by Ballet Hispanico on February 12, 2003
The Children of Uganda: AIDS in Africa and The Healing Power of the Arts
Performance by Children of Uganda on March 31, 2004
Chinese Arts and Culture
Performance by Beijing Modern Dance on March 9, 2005
Alvin Ailey: His Life, Dance and Times
Performance by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on March 15, 2006
Jacob Lawrence: His Art and Times
Performance by Dayton Contemporary Dance Company on April 25, 2007
Cultural Exchange: From Africa to New York
Collaborative performance by Urban Bush Women from New York City and Compagnie Jant-Bi from Senegal, April 2, 2008
Capoiera and the Cultural Diversity of Brazil
Performance by Dance Brazil on April 1, 2009
