Programs
Professional Development
Workshops and lectures support integrating the arts into your teaching across disciplines and grade levels. Programs are free of charge and offer Professional Development Units (PDUs). All educators are welcome, K-12 through college as well as independent and nonprofit-based.
Sign up for Educator e-NewsSummer Teacher Leadership Fellows
With generous support from the Oregon Community Foundation, the Portland Art Museum is proud to offer two, paid Summer Teacher Leadership Fellow positions in 2019. Fellows have the opportunity to get to know the Museum, explore its collections and resources, and envision ways to integrate Museum content into classroom learning. They are responsible for developing teaching resources for use in the Museum and the classroom, while building leadership skills and connecting with Museum practices. Read about the 2018 Summer Teacher Leadership Fellows.
We are not accepting applications for Summer Fellows at this time.
Teacher Advisory Council
The Teacher Advisory Council includes educators across disciplines and grade levels (kindergarten through college). Council members collaborate with Education staff to promote meaningful student and teacher engagement with the Museum and to support arts integration across the curriculum. The Council meets four times each year. Members serve two-year terms.
The Learning and Community Partnerships Department is not currently accepting applications to the Teacher Advisory Council. Please check back in May 2020 for information on how to apply for the 2020 – 2022 term.
2019-2020 Council Members (PDF)
Educator Membership Discount
The Museum is proud to offer educators discounts on all membership levels from Individual through Patron Society: 15% discount for one year or 30% discount for two years. Available online only. Please use the discount code EDU15 or EDU30. Proof of educator status may be requested at entry.
College Creative License
College students can purchase the College Creative License online for $20 and enjoy one year of admission to Museum exhibitions and programs, discounts to the Northwest Film Center, and more. Faculty may purchase College Creative Licenses in bulk by sending students’ first and last names, email addresses, and zip codes to Hana Layson.
Teachers in Training
Museum staff and docents lead programs for undergraduate and graduate classes to help future Oregon teachers integrate the Museum and the visual arts into their teaching. Please contact Hana Layson for more information.
Museum to You
Bring docents to your classroom for lively, in-depth arts engagement in advance of a Museum tour.
Limited spaces available. 4 weeks advance notice required. Questions? Please contact tours@pam.org for more information.
Questions about Portland Art Museum programs for educators and students? Contact Hana Layson, Manager of Youth and Educator Programs.
Upcoming Events
The Portland Art Museum is honored to partner with the Cottonwood School of Civics and Science on an Educator Workshop for the curriculum Civil Rights and Civil Wrongs: A History of Portland’s Black Community. The curriculum was created by Cottonwood School staff in collaboration with educators and community leaders throughout Portland.
This free workshop includes:
- Hands-on experience with standards-based lessons, led by the curriculum’s authors
- Training in inquiry-based teaching practices with primary sources using local resources and materials from the Library of Congress
- Guest speakers on culturally responsive teaching practices and teaching with visual art.
- Connections to Portland Art Museum exhibitions, including Isaka Shamsud-Din: Rock of Ages.
- Opportunities to adapt the curriculum to your classroom or school and receive ongoing support through the next school year
- Lunch!
Space is limited. Registration required. PDU credits are available.
Register nowMade possible with funding and support from:
Marking the 40th anniversary of the eruption of Mount St. Helens, this exhibition explores the overwhelming power of nature and epic cycles of volcanic destruction and regeneration with stunning photographs, paintings, and drawings of the mountain from 1845 to the present day. Join us for lecture and discussion with Dawson Carr, Ph.D., The Janet and Richard Geary Curator of European Art, and educator-led workshops in the exhibition.
Refreshments available at 5:15 p.m. Program begins at 5:30 p.m. PDUs are available.
Register now
April 28, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Opening reception
April 28 – May 7, Exhibition open during Museum hours in the Miller Gallery, Mark Building
Thank you, Portlanders, for supporting the Arts Tax! The Museum is proud to partner with Portland Public Schools to host the annual HeART of Portland: A Portland Public Schools K-12 Arts Showcase. The showcase includes an exhibition of 80 works by PPS visual arts students and an opening reception with student performances. In addition, hundreds of PPS students will participate in collaborative art projects exploring themes of natural disaster, resilience, and community in response to Volcano! Mount St. Helens in Art. Please join us in celebrating arts education in Portland and the students and teachers who are at the center of this work.
No registration required. The showcase is free and open to the public.