What's New

Program Purpose: To provide a unique, engaging opportunity for students and staff to learn about the abilities of people with disabilities in the arts.

Program Description: VSA arts of Minnesota Arts Ambassador Program is designed to bring professional artists with disabilities into classrooms to engage people of all ages and abilities in a presentation discussing the Ambassador’s art form, disability and work as a professional artist. Each presentation is generally 60 minutes and includes demonstrations and hands-on learning. VSA arts of Minnesota’s Arts in Education Coordinator will work with a designated teacher/administrator to determine what (if any) presentation accommodations will need to be made based on age, disability and/or classroom setting.

Through this program, students and staff are able to gain experience, knowledge and understanding about:

• various art forms including visual arts, music, dance & movement
• disability culture
• the importance of and need for inclusion of people with disabilities in the arts
• the similarities that connect the human spirit of us all

VSA arts of Minnesota Arts Ambassadors are located throughout Minnesota and have presented within elementary classrooms, middle and high school settings, transition programs, as well as at the Minnesota Children’s Museum.

Eligibility: Any interested party in Minnesota is eligible to request a visit from an Arts Ambassador of their choice.

Costs: Participating groups will be charged a small fee to offset a portion of the program expense. The total charge for this program is $100 for metro area locations, $150 for greater Minnesota.

What to Submit: Interested parties are asked to complete an Application Form within the Arts Ambassador Brochure under Forms/Guidelines and send requested information via email (amie@vsaartsmn.org) or mail to VSA arts of Minnesota. We will then work to contact your requested Ambassador and coordinate the presentation.

Program Purpose: To enhance creative expression and personal development through arts experiences for students with disabilities and their peers.

Program Description: VSA arts of Minnesota’s Artist in Residence Grant Program provides administrative and funding support to schools and educational settings throughout the state of Minnesota who are interested in having a teaching artist work with students and staff. Residency programs are designed by coordinating teachers and teaching artists with support from VSA arts of Minnesota’s Arts in Education Coordinator. These programs vary in length and time, dependent upon the needs of the school.

Teaching artists who work with VSA arts of Minnesota are professional artists with expertise in one or more arts disciplines and have skills in working with children, youth, and teachers in school settings. In addition, these artists are familiar with various disabilities and effective methods for adapting techniques and differentiating instruction to reach all learners.

Eligibility: Any public or private school in Minnesota with students with an IEP or 504 plan can submit an Artist in Residence Request Form. The request may be initiated by a teacher or administrator. This person serves as the primary contact for VSA arts of Minnesota and the identified teaching artist. A minimum of 15 students with disabilities are required to participate per residency program and receive a minimum of 5 direct contact hours with the teaching artist.

Deadline: Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. As a statewide organization, we work to distribute residencies throughout the state.

Residency Costs: Schools developing an Artist in Residence program can request funding from VSA arts of Minnesota in the range of $500-$1250. Schools are asked to provide support funds of $250 to help support their residency.

What to Submit: Interested parties are asked to complete the Artist in Residence Request Form under Forms/Guidelines and send this completed form to VSA arts of Minnesota.

Artists with Disabilities Alliance Meeting

Time: Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM – Monique Bourgerie, facilitator, phone: 651-747-6637.

Location: Walker Church, 3104 16th Ave. S., Minneapolis (on 31st Avenue South, one block south of Lake Street, between Cedar and Bloomington Avenues; use the door on the east side or elevator near the front on the northwest side of the building).

Description:

• Artists with disabilities are invited to these informal networking meetings. Writers, visual artists, performers, all are welcome.
• We typically start by having each participant share briefly what is going well in your art life, what is difficult, and what support you would like from the group.
• Tonight we will continue discussion of how to use about $900 in AWDA funds for group or individual artist needs. A committee will report on their ideas for holding a retreat to build group cohesiveness and discuss potential activities at greater length. Other possibilities include covering artist fees for classes, helping promote an evening of performances by artists with disabilities (with an accompanying visual art exhibit/sale); assisting with accessible website design costs; inviting guest speakers, etc. Other ideas are welcome.
• Jon Skaalen proposed using part of our next meeting on June 18 to see two 15-minute plays by artists with disabilities and to offer feedback.
• James Livingston has reserved the Walker Church gallery for an AWDA art exhibit in September; the Walker stage for performances by AWDA performers on Saturday, September 20, 7:00 PM, and for a reprise of Dan Reiva's Fringe play on Friday, September 26.
• Any suggestions for a summer picnic event or outing?
• Bring a sample of your art to share – visual art, writing, music, etc.!
• AWDA info: 612-332-3888, email: jon@vsaartsmn.org; or Artists with Disabilities Alliance (AWDA) (www.Angelfire.com/mn3/awda).
• Fragrance-free, please, so all can participate.

You’re Invited to AWDA Open Flow

Time: Sundays, June 8, July 13, August 10; 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Please gather at 2:30 PM.

Location: Hennepin Center for the Arts, 528 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, Room #301. (one block west of the end of the light rail line).

Description: This is an opportunity to share your art, creativity and thoughts. Come and appreciate what others share. Silent or heard, you are welcome. Refreshments are served and $2 per person or Metro Mobility passes are available to help cover parking, bus, light rail or Metro Mobility costs. Drop in!

For further information: call Bonnie at 651-644-2249.

Join VSA arts of Minnesota in recognizing artists, educators, volunteers, arts venues and producing or performing organizations who enable more people with disabilities to participate in the arts. Nominations for the Arts Access Awards are being taken until August 22, 2008. Send up to two pages with information about nominee and nominator and why the award is deserved. News clippings or photos may be attached. A form is available from Forms/Guidelines. Awards will be presented in September 2008.

ArtsWork

ArtsWork is an arts based summer youth employment and training program made available by COMPAS.

VSA arts of Minnesota partners with COMPAS in order to address accommodation needs of students with disabilities. Accommodation needs include but are not limited to transportation, communication, behavioral support, etc…
Disability is defined according to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act guildelines.

Who is eligible to participate in ArtsWork?

• must be a resident of Ramsey County or Saint Paul
• aspiring artists, ages 14-21
• encouraging the participation of students who have an Individualized Education Plan or 504 Plan

Benefits of participating in ArtsWork

• develop vocational skills such as time management and teamwork
• sharpen social skills by interacting with others
• increase confidence
• broaden understanding of different cultures
• work experience can be integrated into an Individualized Education Plan/Transition Plan

To learn more about ArtsWork contact:
Shelia Bland, ArtsWork Director
(651) 292-3265
shelia@compas.org.

Therapeutic Art Instruction

Therapeutic Art Instruction for children and adults with disabilities is available in individual and group sessions offered in the convenience of your home. Sessions focus on art instruction and using the process of making art to promote daily living skills. Use art to develop fine motor skills, improve problem-solving skills and increase attention span. For more information, contact Danelle Griner at 651-698-2859 or Dmgriner3@aol.com.

Mix & Match, Minnesota Museums Collaborate

Date: Monday, May 19, 2008 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
Location: University of Minnesota, Saint Paul.

Session Title: Playful Partnership: Children, Artists and Sharing Knowledge.

Session Description: Come join this discussion of how to develop playful partnerships between children and artists. Last year at the Minnesota Children’s Museum young patrons met and were inspired by artists with disabilities from the VSA arts of Minnesota Arts Ambassador program. In the Museum’s Rooftop Artpark the artists led interactive activities with children focused on music, movement and visual arts. We’ll also talk about how to develop a training workshop for staff.

3rd Annual Workshop for Educators

Date: Thursday, August 7, 2008, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM.

Focus topics & location to be determined shortly. Certificate of participation offered.