Equity in Access for All PPS Students.

Even though arts education is known to be beneficial, Oregon students do not have equal access to it. Arts education - in all its forms - helps students develop essential skills such as critical thinking, patience, risk-taking, and creativity. These habits of mind, social and emotional skills, and 21st-century skills are essential for student success in the classroom and beyond. Students who participate in arts education have higher grades and graduation rates, as well as greater civic engagement as adults.

Research also shows how important arts education is to low-income students. Study results by Catterall, Dumais, and Hampden-Thompson (2012) showed that low-income students with high levels of arts participation obtained higher grades, graduated from high school at higher rates, and expressed a greater desire for college than students with lower levels of arts participation. The number of art courses offered in schools has slowly but steadily increased since 2012-2013. However, we have a long way to go to ensure that EVERY student has access to art instruction.

Vibe has been working since 2007 to provide equity in access, reevaluating our actions to ensure that we are staying true to our mission. Vibe launched “Vibe In the Community” in the summer of 2020 as in-person offerings were beginning again as a way to reignite our mission. Our four locations (Portland Moose Lodge in Brentwood Darlington, Green Tulip Peace and Nature School in Mt. Scott/Arleta, Paisley Studios in the Lloyd District, and Montavilla United Methodist Church in Montavilla) are all located within a short distance of Title 1 schools.

The Portland Public Schools are committed to academic excellence and personal success for all students, and racial equity and social justice are paramount. Their goal is to transform policy, people, and practices necessary to create a culturally responsive organization that ensures the success of every student. A Racial Educational Equity Policy was adopted by the Portland Public Schools in 2011, which highlighted racial disparities in the school system and identified their role in eradicating them. In order to improve student outcomes, PPS aims to develop a comprehensive, defined framework with system-wide equity and social justice actions and measurable outcomes. Vibe supports the district by offering spaces in its workshops, classes, and camps to the neediest students. Twenty-five percent of our spots will be reserved exclusively for BIPOC students and/or those who attend Title I schools in the district, and those spots will be free.

Our foremost responsibility is to do everything possible to create pathways for all students to experience the arts in their schools. As a non-profit, we are always looking for ways to partner with our schools in addition to offering our own enriching programming. Through this, we recognize that there is always much more work to be done. We hope that together we can share the word about our commitment to creating and holding space for ALL of Portland Public School students!