Side by Side

In communities throughout Kentucky, students (K-12) with disabilities participate in visual art or music classes with VSA Kentucky teaching artists and other professional artists from their communities. Following a series of classes, students are paired up with professional artists or musicians to create a collaborative piece. Classes and collaborative sessions help students develop communication and social skills in keeping with educational objectives of the Kentucky Department of Education Office of Special Education and Early Learning. The program culminates with a public exhibition or performance.

Students and artists are recognized during the opening receptions of the culminating events, where students share their accomplishments with family and friends and the general public. Each Side by Side program is made possible with the help of partnering organizations that provide program sites and resources and of course the students and their families and the creative talents of Kentucky’s artists.

Side by Side is made possible in part with funding from WHAS Crusade for Children.

This image shows a still from a television news report. The scene is an indoor setting with several people gathered, some standing and others in motion, possibly interacting or engaged in an activity. There's a table in the foreground with various items spread out, which could be art supplies, indicating the nature of the event related to art therapy as suggested by the news ticker. The news ticker at the bottom of the screen reads "YOUR HEALTH" and "'SIDE BY SIDE' OFFERS THERAPY THROUGH ART" along with the logo of ABC 36. The image appears to be a screenshot from a news broadcast segment.
WHAS Crusade for ChildrenLogo of Kentucky's OSEEL, Department of Education.

Funding for the Side by Side program in communities across the state comes from generous support of WHAS Crusade for Children and the Kentucky Department of Education, Division of Learning Services.

To bring the Side by Side program to your schools or community call 270-792-0023 or email [email protected]