AFTER SCHOOL ARTS PROGRAM
Make art. Make friends. Have fun, and BE YOURSELF!
Registration opens May 2 for full-time students and May 16 for part-time students.
SCROLL DOWN! REGISTRATION LINKS ARE BELOW
August 30, 2022 - June 8, 2023
Monday - Friday, 3:00 - 6:00 PM
on every full day of public school
GRADES PRE-K - 5
SCROLL DOWN! REGISTRATION LINKS ARE BELOW
August 30, 2022 - June 8, 2023
Monday - Friday, 3:00 - 6:00 PM
on every full day of public school
GRADES PRE-K - 5
Portside's After School Arts Program is more than an arts-centered after-school experience.
It's a home-away-from-home where kids experience new things and kick back with friends
while making great art and wonderful memories.
It's a home-away-from-home where kids experience new things and kick back with friends
while making great art and wonderful memories.
Minnows Grades PreK - K
Exercising Creativity & Exploring Abilities MINNOWS |
Sharks Grades 1 - 2
Fostering Visual Arts Skills SHARKS |
Pirates Grades 3 - 5
Building Studio Artists PIRATES |
After School Arts Program (ASAP) FAQs

What is the cost of the ASAP program?
Full Time (5 days a week) $375 per month
Part Time (3 days a week M,W,F) $275 per month
Part Time (2 days a week TU,TH) $200 per month
Registration Fee: In addition to the monthly fee, a $100 registration fee is required to sign up your child for ASAP. This fee is NONREFUNDABLE -- however, we will apply a $75 credit to your child's first month of tuition. $25 is retained as an administrative fee.
Monthly Tuition: Your first payment is due on August 20. Following payments are due on the 20th of each month over 10 equal monthly installments. Tuition is based upon the number of days in the full year and averaged out to a month fee.
Sibling Discount: Families with multiple children receive a 10% discount for the 2nd sibling and all additional siblings enrolled.
Income Based Tuition: Income based tuition is available. Limited spaces are available. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find more information and a link to our application.
Full Time (5 days a week) $375 per month
Part Time (3 days a week M,W,F) $275 per month
Part Time (2 days a week TU,TH) $200 per month
Registration Fee: In addition to the monthly fee, a $100 registration fee is required to sign up your child for ASAP. This fee is NONREFUNDABLE -- however, we will apply a $75 credit to your child's first month of tuition. $25 is retained as an administrative fee.
Monthly Tuition: Your first payment is due on August 20. Following payments are due on the 20th of each month over 10 equal monthly installments. Tuition is based upon the number of days in the full year and averaged out to a month fee.
Sibling Discount: Families with multiple children receive a 10% discount for the 2nd sibling and all additional siblings enrolled.
Income Based Tuition: Income based tuition is available. Limited spaces are available. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find more information and a link to our application.

How do I register my child for ASAP?
Registration for FULL-TIME ASAP enrollment opens on Monday, May 2 at 3:00 PM.
Registration for PART-TIME ASAP options opens on Monday, May 16 at 3:00 PM.
You can register your child by clicking on the registration links above. Alternatively, If you do not have an internet accessible device, please contact Laura, Enrollment and Communications Manager, by phone at 215-427-1514 – or stop by our administrative offices at 2531 East Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia PA, 19125 between the hours of 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
Registration for FULL-TIME ASAP enrollment opens on Monday, May 2 at 3:00 PM.
Registration for PART-TIME ASAP options opens on Monday, May 16 at 3:00 PM.
You can register your child by clicking on the registration links above. Alternatively, If you do not have an internet accessible device, please contact Laura, Enrollment and Communications Manager, by phone at 215-427-1514 – or stop by our administrative offices at 2531 East Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia PA, 19125 between the hours of 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

When does the ASAP program run?
The ASAP program runs Monday - Friday, August 30, 2022 - June 8, 2023 every day that the Philadelphia School District has a full school day for students.The ASAP program is closed on any day during the academic year that the Philadelphia School District schedules a school holiday, in-service day, or half day.
Does Portside offer any programming on weekdays that there is no ASAP?
Yes! Portside Arts Center offers half-day and full-day camps during most half-days, in-service days and vacation days throughout the school year. Parents may purchase these camps on an a la carte basis through our website. More information is available here
The ASAP program runs Monday - Friday, August 30, 2022 - June 8, 2023 every day that the Philadelphia School District has a full school day for students.The ASAP program is closed on any day during the academic year that the Philadelphia School District schedules a school holiday, in-service day, or half day.
Does Portside offer any programming on weekdays that there is no ASAP?
Yes! Portside Arts Center offers half-day and full-day camps during most half-days, in-service days and vacation days throughout the school year. Parents may purchase these camps on an a la carte basis through our website. More information is available here

Besides the ages of students, how are the programs for Minnows, Sharks, and Pirates different?
Over the course of the year, and the course of their time at ASAP, students build their artistic toolkit, adding new skills and knowledge with each experience and project.
Minnows (PK-K): Minnows are little explorers! They are introduced to art fundamentals like mixing colors, using lines to make shapes, and working with different materials like pastels, clay, beads, watercolors, and fabric! Process is emphasized over the final result and they learn through play and experimentation.
Sharks (1-2): Sharks are sharpening their artistic teeth, and putting emerging art skills into practice! They review basic art concepts and take them to the next level with more complex projects and more sophisticated materials, tools and techniques. What does it mean to use contrasting or complimentary colors? How do you use lines to communicate movement? A Shark can show you! They dive fearlessly into the fun of making art and are proud to show you the results.
Pirates (3-5): Pirates are Portside’s fearless studio artists. Teachers challenge them with a variety of art forms, subjects, and multi-step projects that allow their creativity to take the lead! Students at this stage are able to put their own spin on each work of art and develop their own artistic voice and style. Over the course of the year Pirates develop a body of work they can be proud to display.
Students who complete all three levels of ASAP receive a total of 720 hours of art education and learn about more than 100 different artists from around the world.
Over the course of the year, and the course of their time at ASAP, students build their artistic toolkit, adding new skills and knowledge with each experience and project.
Minnows (PK-K): Minnows are little explorers! They are introduced to art fundamentals like mixing colors, using lines to make shapes, and working with different materials like pastels, clay, beads, watercolors, and fabric! Process is emphasized over the final result and they learn through play and experimentation.
Sharks (1-2): Sharks are sharpening their artistic teeth, and putting emerging art skills into practice! They review basic art concepts and take them to the next level with more complex projects and more sophisticated materials, tools and techniques. What does it mean to use contrasting or complimentary colors? How do you use lines to communicate movement? A Shark can show you! They dive fearlessly into the fun of making art and are proud to show you the results.
Pirates (3-5): Pirates are Portside’s fearless studio artists. Teachers challenge them with a variety of art forms, subjects, and multi-step projects that allow their creativity to take the lead! Students at this stage are able to put their own spin on each work of art and develop their own artistic voice and style. Over the course of the year Pirates develop a body of work they can be proud to display.
Students who complete all three levels of ASAP receive a total of 720 hours of art education and learn about more than 100 different artists from around the world.

Does Portside Arts Center supply transportation for my child to attend ASAP?
Portside provides yellow bus pick up from the partner schools listed below:
Horatio B. Hackett Elementary
Alexander Adaire Elementary (pickup for grades 1-5 only)
H.A. Brown Elementary
If you do not see your child's school on the list this means we do not offer transportation for that school. Portside welcomes students from other schools, but parents or guardians must drop them off at the Portside.
Portside provides yellow bus pick up from the partner schools listed below:
Horatio B. Hackett Elementary
Alexander Adaire Elementary (pickup for grades 1-5 only)
H.A. Brown Elementary
If you do not see your child's school on the list this means we do not offer transportation for that school. Portside welcomes students from other schools, but parents or guardians must drop them off at the Portside.

Does Portside Arts Center provide snacks?
Students should bring with them an energy-packed supply of snacks and a water bottle. Portside does not provide snacks, but filtered water is available for children to refill their bottles.
Portside Arts Center is a nut free camp, so please do not pack foods that include peanut butter or tree nuts.We also ask that kids do not bring candy, chocolate or sodas to ASAP.
Students should bring with them an energy-packed supply of snacks and a water bottle. Portside does not provide snacks, but filtered water is available for children to refill their bottles.
Portside Arts Center is a nut free camp, so please do not pack foods that include peanut butter or tree nuts.We also ask that kids do not bring candy, chocolate or sodas to ASAP.

Is there any financial assistance available for ASAP students?
Scholarships: Portside does provide scholarship assistance based on financial need. Scholarships are an a first come, first served basis with limited availability. We provide scholarships to eligible students through an application process.
When awarding scholarships, we consider the following criteria:
- Considered Low Income by Federal Guidelines
- Have other unexpected expenses (ex. Medical, debt)
- Multiple children
- COVID-19 Financial Stress (ex. Loss or decreased employment)
- Unexpected Expenses/ Loss of Revenue
- Parents on SSI
A link to the scholarship application is below. If you do not have access to an internet-enabled device, please contact Portside Arts Center at 215-427-1514 so we can help.
Families interested in scholarship assistance should complete and submit an application as soon as possible. You will be notified of your scholarship decision within two weeks.
Scholarships: Portside does provide scholarship assistance based on financial need. Scholarships are an a first come, first served basis with limited availability. We provide scholarships to eligible students through an application process.
When awarding scholarships, we consider the following criteria:
- Considered Low Income by Federal Guidelines
- Have other unexpected expenses (ex. Medical, debt)
- Multiple children
- COVID-19 Financial Stress (ex. Loss or decreased employment)
- Unexpected Expenses/ Loss of Revenue
- Parents on SSI
A link to the scholarship application is below. If you do not have access to an internet-enabled device, please contact Portside Arts Center at 215-427-1514 so we can help.
Families interested in scholarship assistance should complete and submit an application as soon as possible. You will be notified of your scholarship decision within two weeks.