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

White Bird's Annual Project with Portland Public Schools

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.

Curriculums and Performances for PPS:

February 2001
Inaugurated first outreach project with Portland Public Schools in February 2001, Black History Month, on Alvin Ailey and African American culture-- introduced to 4000 elementary, middle and high school students, culminating in a free student performance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

October/November 2001
"Cultural collaboration,” with a performance of The People of the Forest by Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet and the BaAka Musicians of the Central African Rain Forest. 

January/February 2003
Hispanic arts and culture, with a student performance by Ballet Hispanico, America’s leading Hispanic dance company.

March 2004
Children of Uganda—AIDS in Africa and the healing and nurturing power of the arts.

February/March 2005
Chinese Arts and Culture with a performance by Beijing Modern Dance.

February/March 2006
Alvin Ailey with a performance by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

April 2007
The great African-American artist Jacob Lawrence, culminating in a student performance by Dayton Contemporary Dance Company of dance works inspired by Lawrence’s artwork.

March/April 2008
The theme of Cultural Exchange with a free student performance by Urban Bush Women (Brooklyn, NY) and Compagnie Jant-Bi (Senegal, West Africa).

March/April 2009
The Celebrations and Cultural Diversity of Brazil with a free student performance by Dance Brazil.

March/April 2010
Ethnic diversity with a free student performance by Complexions Contemporary Ballet..

February-April 2011
Exploration of Alvin Ailey’s Revelations, focused on the history of the African American fight for freedom with a free student performance by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

February-May 2012
Hip Hop in Different Cultures,” with a free student performance by Compagnie Käfig, based in France, involving 11 young men from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.