Arts Access Newsletter February 2004

Five Minnesota individuals and one arts organization have been chosen to receive the seventh annual Arts Access Awards from VSA arts of Minnesota. The awards recognize efforts and accomplishments in making the arts accessible to people with disabilities.

A reception will be held on Sunday, February 22 from 2:00 to 4:00 at the Owatonna Arts Center (www.owatonnaartscenter.org), with awards presented at 2:30. The Arts Center is showing art by Minnesota artists with disabilities February 8-29. An accessible bus will be available to bring people from the Twin Cities to the reception and art exhibit. For details, call VSA arts.

Allyson Hogan, a high school student from Worthington who won the national VSA arts Playwright Discovery Award and saw her play performed at the Kennedy Center, where she received her playwriting award from Minnesota Congressman Gil Gutknecht (see picture).

Cora Culbert, Hibbing, Range Center Artists, SoHo Artists accepted her award in Hibbing in January from Craig Dunn, VSA arts of Minnesota executive director (see picture).

Arts Access Awardees recognized for Actively Promoting Access to the Arts for People with Disabilities are:

Rachel Parker, Minneapolis, PACER Center disability rights advocate, accessibility trainer of arts organization staffs, etc.;
Pat Young, Minneapolis, 26th Street Artists (Spectrum Community Health), visual arts program administrator.

One organization recognized for Actively Promoting Access to the Arts for People with Disabilities was Interact Center for the Visual & Performing Arts, Minneapolis, Jeanne Calvit, artistic director;

Recognized as an Active & Visible Minnesota Artist with a Disability was Kevin Kling, Minneapolis, playwright, performer, writer, storyteller.

The award is called the "Jaehny" in honor of Jaehn Clare, one of the founders of VSA arts of Minnesota and an activist in the Twin Cities' theater and disability communities before moving to Georgia. St. Paul sculptor Joseph Pendergast is creating this year's Jaehny.

Artists whose work is featured in the exhibit in Owatonna include:
Chisholm: Jamie Graham;
Duluth: Bridget Riversmith;
Faribault: Alissa Nemo;
Edina: Kathy Christopher;
Floodwood: Danny Gayder;
Hibbing: Dan Perunovich;
Mankato: Terry Altenburg, Thor Fosgate, Gail Phillips, Jae Smith, Lori Strand;
Minneapolis: Char Coal, Laura Dingels, Serik Kulmeshkenov, Mari Alice Newman;
Prior Lake: Anne Krocak;
Saint Louis Park: Dennis Behr;
Saint Paul: Taras Dykstra, Joseph Pendergast, Theresa Wanta.

Owatonna is located an hour south of the Twin Cities. From I-35, take Exit 41 (Bridge Street) east to State Avenue and turn north (left). Follow State a short distance and turn left on West Hills Circle, which becomes Dunnell Drive. The first main building facing State houses the Arts Center. Park in front of or behind the building

New careers workshop coordinator joins VSA arts

Denise Martineau has joined VSA arts of Minnesota to create and present a series of workshops this spring and summer. These are aimed at assisting artists with disabilities to develop as arts professionals and explore specific areas of arts employment and self-employment. The workshops will be interactive, community-based and presented throughout Minnesota.

As an artist, educator, published author, and entrepreneur, Denise hopes to join with others in accessing and creating community that maximizes our individual and collective potential as artists with disabilities. The most effective forums are the ones based on the real needs of real people, she says.

Use your imagination, energize and ask yourself:

• Do you or your organization have a resource, venue, book or website that you think is useful and others should know about?
• Is there anything you would like us to know or include as we plan and design these workshops? Is there anything you wish you had known then that you know now?
• Do you know of individuals, groups or organizations that would be interested in receiving more information? Are you interested in attending yourself?

Take the time right now to express yourself in a quick email, call or letter. Thanks for imagining what you would like. Contact Denise at 763-537-7738, email: denise_martineau@yahoo.com, or at the VSA arts office. If you want to hear about workshop dates and locations, please indicate email or USPS, or indicate if you need an alternate form of communication.

Meet Linda Back McKay

With Kristi Gaudette on maternity leave, Linda Back McKay has joined VSA arts of Minnesota as interim Education Coordinator. Linda is a writer, poet and teacher. She has published Shadow Mothers and Ride That Full Tilt Boogie. She will be working with residency programs, the Augsburg festival, and other educational activities.

The Artists With Disabilities Alliance (AWDA) is continuing to hold meetings at Twin Cities locations from 6:00 - 8:15 pm on the second or third Tuesday of the month. The next meetings are:

February 10 -- Minnesota State Arts Board, 400 Sibley Street #200, Saint Paul. MariJayn Duchene will demonstrate the AWDA website (www.angelfire.com/mn3/awda). Deb Costandine will also talk about a possible Penny Pour.

March 16 -- Springboard for the Arts, 308 Prince Street, Suite 270, Saint Paul. Laurie McKiernan will talk about setting up a peer-based critique structure. Denise Martineau will present a mini-workshop on Careers in the Arts.

April 20 -- Magic Carpet Cafe, 509 Sibley St. ('twixt 9th & 10th) in Saint Paul. Topic to be announced.

All meetings are fragrance-free. If you need an ASL interpreter, contact Jon at VSA arts of Minnesota.

Six Minnesota artists have been awarded $1,000 grants through the VSA arts of Minnesota Artist Recognition Program. The seventh annual competitive grant, funded by the Jerome Foundation of Saint Paul, recognizes excellence by Minnesota artists with disabilities.

Selected from 38 applicants, the grantees are:

John Lee Clark, Saint Paul writer;
Carol Hough, Detroit Lakes writer;
Rebecca Kragnes, Minneapolis pianist, composer;
Anne Krocak, Prior Lake visual artist;
Bridget Riversmith, Duluth visual artist;
Pamela Wynn, New Brighton poet.

The Recognition Grants were awarded following a jurying process conducted by individuals with extensive backgrounds in the written, visual and performing arts. Panel members included:
Leah Cooper, executive director, Minnesota Fringe Festival, Minneapolis;
Kris Douglas, education coordinator, Rochester Art Center;
Perry Lueders, writing consultant, retired professor, Minneapolis;
Chris Osgood, director of artist services, Springboard for the Arts, Saint Paul;
John Steffl, arts consultant, Duluth;
Melina Weir, art therapist, artist, Expressive Arts Services, Minneapolis.

The next round of Artist Recognition grants will be in the fall of 2004. VSA arts of Minnesota has had to discontinue annual grants to Emerging Artists due to funding cutbacks, but is pursuing new funding to meet ongoing needs of artists.

Art by ten Twin Cities artists with disabilities is on display thru April at Vision Loss Resources, 1936 Lyndale Avenue S. (at Franklin), Minneapolis.
The artists are:

Tanya Androsian, Saint Paul, acrylic;
Elena Blaisdell, Inver Grove Heights, acrylic;
Bill Crane, Bloomington, fiber/mixed media;
Joan Domini, Saint Paul, acrylic/ colored pencil;
Suzyn Lundgren, Minneapolis, acrylic/wood screen;
William Tomaszewski, Crystal, acrylic/wood screen;
Eddie Twait, Saint Paul, acrylic;
George Wolf, Saint Paul, acrylic;
Nate Woodward, Saint Paul, acrylic, charcoal & pencil;
Tandra Wright, Inver Grove Heights, watercolor.

Most of the artworks are available for sale. An audiotape will be available to describe the paintings for persons who are blind or of low vision. A reception with the artists is tentatively set for Wednesday, March 17 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm.

Organizations, businesses or individuals are encouraged to sponsor exhibits of artwork by children or adults with disabilities. VSA arts of Minnesota generally charges a fee for each exhibit in order to pay artists modest stipends for the use of their work, as well as costs of signage, publicity, insurance, etc. All sales go to the artists.

April 17 - Minnesota Drum and Bugle Core Showcase at Highland Park Senior High School, Saint Paul;
April.... - Senator Mark Dayton's Office, Saint Paul;
May 2-15 - Minnesota State Capitol, North Corridor, Saint Paul; May 11 reception in the Rotunda;
May 17-28 - Minnesota Department of Education, Saint Paul.

Dennis Behr of Saint Louis Park was one of the artists featured in an exhibit at Carleton College in October.

Thomas O'Sullivan, library art curator, and students hosted a reception at the library.

In collaboration with VSA arts of Minnesota, various community education and arts programs are offering classes in the arts for students with disabilities. For more information or to discuss registration procedures, contact VSA arts of Minnesota.

Behind the Mic: Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation and Stages Theatre Company collaborate with VSA arts of Minnesota to offer a six-week theatre class for youth with disabilities in late February and March.

Clay Creations: I.S.D. 196 Community Education's S.E.E.K. Program (Special Education Enrichment for Kids) and the Northern Clay Center collaborate with VSA arts of Minnesota to offer a four-week clay class for children with disabilities in late February and March.

Artability/Fun with Fabric: Dassel-Cokato Community Education and artist Melina Weir collaborate with VSA arts of Minnesota to offer a four-week visual arts class for children with disabilities in April and May.

Kids in Motion: Ballet Arts of Minnesota, and instructors Brittany and Jody Frindenstine collaborate with VSA arts of Minnesota to offer a dance camp for youth with disabilities in July and August. Classes are scheduled to take place at the Hennepin Center for the Arts in Minneapolis.

Middle school students with developmental cognitive disabilities and their school peers can celebrate the arts, explore their imagination, and dare to be creative at Showcase of the Stars: Act Naturally. This third annual spring arts festival promotes self achievement through the arts by featuring performances and workshops by professional artists with disabilities.

Join VSA arts of Minnesota at Augsburg College on Friday, April 16 from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. Participants can join hands-on sessions focused on music, theatre, movement and the visual arts. In addition, participants are invited to perform and/or exhibit visual artwork created during the school year. For more information or to register for this free event, contact VSA arts of Minnesota.

Funding for this program is made available by a generous grant from VSA arts in Washington D.C.

by Colleen Haggar, Work Experience Coordinator, Hopkins Schools:

The Transition Plus Program of Hopkins, St. Louis Park and Minnetonka School Districts is joining in partnership with VSA Arts of Minnesota and Stages Theater Co. to focus on "Transition to Independence" through Expressive and Creative Arts.

Student achievement and successful transition into the community can be reinforced through a variety of venues in the arts. In this collaborative venture the mission is to enable students with disabilities to define and accomplish their life goals in the areas of work, career development, recreation and leisure, as well as life independence.

Students are invested in this experiential opportunity to develop their interpersonal skills while gaining in self-esteem and self-worth as they explore careers in the Arts. students are empowered to take risks while learning and establishing new relationships with other networks and organizations in the community. Students continue to develop trust in their "Theater group" while developing skills in teamwork, cooperation and problem-solving.

The students' energy and enthusiasm are apparent in their work at Transition Plus. Attendance for students in this project has improved, as students are engaged and committed to the experiential component of learning. There is more individual student involvement in the group work as students have become more confident in the relationships that they have established through their team work. Students are able to connect with each other with more sensitivity and encouragement as they support one another in ways that were not apparent before this project began.

Special thanks and acknowledgment goes to the efforts of the Partnership created and established between Lisa Loeding, Transition Plus Work Experience Coordinator; Kristi Gaudette, VSA Arts Education Coordinator; and Marilee Mahler, Stages Education Associate. Our students would not have the enthusiasm that they have now discovered without the Actors/Teachers that are working in the classroom, Sheridan Lundgren, Josh Foldy, and Nikki Bettcher.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the Min-nesota Department of Education and VSA arts in Washington, DC.

Congratulations to this year's recipients of artist-in-residence grants. This program allows students with disabilities to have greater access to and participation in the arts by enabling schools to host outside artists to work with students involved in special education programming.

Funding for this program is provided by grants from the Minnesota Department of Education and VSA arts.

Site - Roosevelt, South and Washburn High Schools, Minneapolis;
Artist - Galumph Interactive Theater;

Site - Transition Plus: Saint Louis Park, Hopkins, and Minnetonka Collaborative;
Artists - Sheridan Lundgren, Josh Foldy (Stages Theatre), Nikki Bettcher (Stages Theatre);

Site - Anne Sullivan Communication Center, Minneapolis;
Artist - Deaf Art Club;

Site - Highland Park High School and Humbolt High School, Saint Paul;;
Artist - Deaf Art Club;

Site - Wheelock Early Education, Saint Paul;
Artist - Minnesota Center for Book Arts and Galumph Interactive Theater;

Site - Lake Harriet Community School, Minneapolis;
Artist - Linda Back McKay;

Site - Hibbing High School, SoHo Artists, and Hibbing Community College, Hibbing;
Artist - Cyril Paul;

Site - Battle Creek Learning Center, Saint Paul;
Artist - Francis Kofi;

Site - Hazel Park Middle School, Saint Paul;
Artist - Amy Ballestad;

Site - Minnesota State Academy for the Blind, Faribault;
Artist - Barry Kleider (Young Audiences);

Site - Aquila Primary Center, Saint Louis Park;
Artist - Mick Labriola (Young Audiences);

Site - Buffalo High School and Tatanka Elem. School, Buffalo;
Artist - Duane Barnhart.

In November, classroom teachers and teaching artists gathered at the Lakeville Area Arts Center to take part in the workshop, "The Arts: A Doorway to Other Ways of Learning." Presenters Chris Griffith and Teressa Grega (Galumph Interactive Theater), Amy Ballestad (Mask Maker Extraordinaire), and Wendy Ansley (Dance Specialist) highlighted successful artist-in-residency projects developed to include students with disabilities.

During the last week of January Minnesota welcomed Eric Booth to the Twin Cities. Booth is an accomplished educator, author and actor who specializes in working with teaching artists across the country. VSA arts of Minnesota (along with The Children's Theatre Company, COMPAS, Perpich Center for Arts Education, Stages Theatre Company, and Young Audiences of Minnesota) invited Booth to facilitate a workshop focused on best practices of artist-in-residency projects involving students with disabilities as seen from a national perspective. Special thanks to Minnesota teaching artists Perrin Boyd and Chris Griffith for developing and leading participants through a hands-on lesson.

Spring and Summer 2004:
Call or e-mail VSA arts of Minnesota for more details on these upcoming workshops:
Spring education workshop will focus on how to incorporate the arts into transition programs and students' Individualized Transition Education Plans.
Summer education workshop will focus on working with students who are low vision or blind. The workshop will be held at the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind in Faribault.

ArtLink is a VSA arts international adventure in cross-cultural discovery. Each year, students ages 7-12 have the opportunity to share their culture, heritage and communities through the visual arts. Students from participating classrooms create visual artwork based on a theme to share with their partner classroom. Como Park Elementary School students in Deb Hornfeldt's classroom are exchanging artwork with students from Saint Lucia.

Banners created by Como Elementary students promoted "Exceptional Diversity, Exceptional Achievement" when they flew over downtown Saint Paul streets recently.

Thank you to the record number of Donors of Cash & In-Kind to VSA arts of Minnesota (February 1, 2003 to January 15, 2004)

Memorials:
In memory of Jim Scott by Mark Gildersleeve & Robyn Alexander.

Supporters:
Pat Alcott, Robyn Alexander, Robert K. Anderson, Howard Ansel, Derek Apple-yard, Jack Becker, Perrin Boyd, Woody & Joy Bridges, Corinne Bussa, Elizabeth Childs, Denise Cronin, Barbara Davis, Randy & Helen Edinger, Thomas J. Fetsch, Mike & Billie Fienhage, Marvin & Rosemary Fish, Dolly Fiterman, Marvel & Dewey Gaudette, Debra Glassman, Marge Goldberg, Dr. Paul Haack, Healy Holm Promotions, Kathy Heffern, Mike & Patti Hiatt, Ice Box Gallery, Yvonne M. Klocek, Paula Krippner, Sue & Mark Lasoff, Ann Lohn, Kathleen Maloney, Teresa Matson, MBW Company, Sarah Millfelt, Linda Mindel, Scott F. Nelson, Donna Norberg, Chris Osgood & Adrianne Lebow, Don & Kathy Park, Bob Payton, Norm & Peggy Peterson, Sally Ratke, Ann Reckert, Dr. Kay Robinson, Rochester Art Center, Kenneth G. Rodgers, Mary Samuels, Jan Severson, Steven & Liz Schmidt, Charles & Barbara Siegel, Juliette Silvers, SoHo Artists, Marti Starr, Don Taylor, David Tillman, Steve & Sue Turbenson, Adrianne Vanderborght, Pamela Veeder, Kathy & Tom Weber, Peg Wetli, Beth Wright & Anne Graham, Lee & Margarey Zwiefelhofer.

Sponsors:
David Bach, Diane Baldwin, Diane L. Blake, Barb Bujold-Martinez, Bob & Kay Burland, Beth & Bob Burns, Central Lakes College Theatre, Jeanne Cole, Joy Daly, Jean & Steve Danko, Sharman Davis-Barrett, Dave E. Dunn, James & Beverly Dusso, Fran Eberlein, Pam Endean and Colleen Carey, Food Systems Design, Inc., Sherri & Wayne Fuller, Donna Gravesen & John Remilard, Jenn Grimm, Sara Haugen, Julie & Anders Himmelstrup, Margot Imdieke-Cross, Chris & Tom Janda, Janet Jones, Kathy Klein & Scott Fink, Connie Koch, Phill Lindsay, Charles & Hertha Lutz, Terry McEowen, Myles Reif Per-forming Arts Center, Eric Peterson, Jeff Prauer, Richard & Rachel Quenemoen, Susan Singer, Gerald & Jane Skluzacek, Dorothy J. Timm Meili, Pam Truesdell, Ann Wasserman, Cynthia Wetzell.

Advocates:
Carol Anderson, Jaime Becker, Britta Beeck, Gregory W. Bitz, Cindy Carlson, Jack Carroll, Craig Dunn & Candy Hart, Taras Dykstra, Carol Earle, Fleming Care Inc., Pam & Jim Hall, Jim Hanson, Merle & Dolores Hart, Franklin Knoll, Dodie Kostishack, Phil & Becky Kragnes, Lindquist & Vennum, PLLP, Bill & Fern Miller, William P. Muchow, Northern Clay Center, The O'Dell Group, Duane Oestreich, Paul & Suzanne Puerzer, Pure Blue Swim Shop, Lawrence M. Redmond, Nancy & Larry Robbert, Kit & Dick Schmoker, Mary Schoessler & Mark Haefner, Mark Siegel, Jon Skaalen, Lisa Skluzacek, Anna M. Thompson, Barb & John Wild, Patricia A. Young.

Benefactors:
Cornerstone Copy Center, Eide Bailly, General Mills Foundation, Guthrie Theater, Judd, Ostermann & Demro, St. Paul Companies, Mary Vavra-Gibis & Chuck Gibis.

Major Benefactors:
ArtSpace Projects, Jerome Foundation, McKnight Foundation, Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota State Arts Board, Jay & Rose Phillip Family Foundation, United Arts, VSA arts (through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education).

VSA arts of Minnesota is looking for volunteers to develop a special event to showcase Minnesota artists with disabilities and raise funds for our programs to serve them statewide.

Help us make our first fund-raiser in 15 years a success! Serve on a committee: Silent Auction, Reception, Performance, Visual Art Show, Accessibility, Logistics. Or plan a Silent Auction donation! To get involved, call 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883, v/tty, or e-mail craig@vsaartsmn.org.

In cooperation with Cambridge-Isanti Community Education and Project Explore Community Education in Eagan/Apple Valley, VSA arts of Minnesota has announced two Springtime with the Arts Festivals for adults with developmental or other disabilities who are involved in community education arts programs. The events are also opportunities for directors and teachers in community education programs to share the talent of their participants or learn how to incorporate the arts in future programs for adults with disabilities. The festivals will be held:

Saturday, April 3 at Black Hawk Middle School in Eagan;
Saturday, April 17 at Cambridge High School.

Activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. include performances by groups and individuals, artist-led activities in music, dance/theatre, and visual arts; a display of artwork produced by participants in community education programs; and lunch and social time.

For registration information, contact VSA arts of Minnesota.

All organizations need a strong base to remain viable over the long haul. Whether it is an ongoing membership, recurring contracts or large and diverse foundation supports, this base allows organizations to not only weather occasional economic storms but also be able to respond to growth and expansion opportunities when favorable circumstances are present.

The Board of Directors of VSA arts of Minnesota recently approved a resolution to create an Endowment Fund for the organization. The purpose will be to enable VSA arts of Minnesota to more completely fulfill its mission by developing its programs and services beyond what is possible through its annual operating funds. Distributions from the fund will be used to meet capital needs of the organization, provide outreach grants and cover other purposes designated by donors whose gifts are included in the fund.

As of this writing, the Endowment Fund is awaiting its first gift. Two board members and a staff member have indicated that they have included VSA arts of Minnesota in personal documents with intentions of making a planned gift. The creation of this Endowment Fund will now allow the organization to accept planned gifts or regular gifts, restricted to the Endowment Fund, from interested individuals, corporations or foundations.

If you have any questions about this newly established fund, please call Craig Dunn, Executive Director, at 612-332-3888, v/tty, or Steve Danko, Board President, at 612-338-4333.

Eight Minnesota artists with disabilities are preparing to participate in the fourth International VSA arts Festival, June 9-12 in Washington, D.C. The event, called Odyssey - Dare to Imagine, celebrates the abilities and accomplishments of artists of all ages, disabilities and artforms from 35 countries and each of the United States.

VSA arts has held three previous international festivals: 1989 in Washington, DC; 1994 in Brussels, Belgium; and 1999 in Los Angeles. This year's participants, selected from over 700 applications from around the world, will be able to perform, show their art, attend workshops, and network with other delegates.

The Minnesotans attending are:
Joseph Baird, Burnsville Guitarist/Vocalist;
Kathryn Bakke, Richfield Pianist;
Deb Costandine, St. Paul Mixed Media Visual Artist;
Deb Helmke-Wodtke, New Hope Visual Artist;
Mari Alice Newman, Minneapolis Visual Artist;
Gayle Nord Harrison, Minneapolis Visual Artist;
Danny Perunovich, Hibbing Visual Artist;
Joe Pendergast, Saint Paul Sculptor;
Interact Theatre of Minneapolis was also selected, but decided not to attend with one of their acclaimed cabarets since the fund-raising would have been too difficult to bring more than 25 people from their company.

While the opportunity is exceptional, VSA arts covers only a minimal portion of the costs involved. You can help the Minnesota delegation to cover their registration, hotel and airfare by sending a tax-deductible contribution to VSA arts of Minnesota and by designating your contribution for this purpose (see donation form). Thank you!

To learn more about the festival, go to 2004 International VSA arts Festival website (www.vsartsfestival.org). To learn more about Minnesota's artists, go to the Minnesota office's website (http://mn.vsarts.org).