Arts Access Newsletter February 2008

VSA arts of Minnesota is excited to announce the return of Sidiki Conde, whose visiting artist residencies in the fall of 2006 were eye-opening and energizing for students, teachers and the public.

Conde was recently named one of 10 artists to receive the National Heritage Award by the National Endowment for the Arts. This award recognizes American folk artists for their contributions to our national cultural mosaic.

Sidiki, percussionist Balla Kouyate and Sidiki’s group Tokounou will be featured in a public performance at Hopkins High School Auditorium on Saturday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. They will be joined by students with and without disabilities from school programs in Hopkins, Minneapolis and Eden Prairie. The students will attend classroom residency activities during the two weeks prior to the performance.

To see my student not only engaging with Sidiki but embraced with open hands and heart was extremely emotional. It reminded everyone how much joy music can bring to life and how if one is to encourage that joy amazing things can happen. - Andover teacher.

In his native Guinea, Sidiki Conde overcame prejudices against those with disabilities when he trained in the traditional music and dance of West Africa. In 1999 he founded Tokounou with the dual aims of showcasing African culture and including those with disabilities. In their electrifying shows, the singers, dancers and musicians of Tokounou create a communal experience that embraces people of all backgrounds and abilities. For tickets, contact VSA arts of Minnesota at 612-332-3888 or info@vsaartsmn.org, or order tickets online. For information about Sidiki and Tokounou, go to Sidiki Conde - Tokounou Dance Company (http://tokounou.home.mindspring.com).

This performance is made possible through the assistance of the National Endowment for the Arts, VSA arts (through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education) and the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Artists with disabilities in the Twin Cities and six communities in Greater Minnesota have received a small grant to help further develop their artistic careers. The funding, between $600 and $900 per group, will enable the artists to convene meetings, mount exhibits, host workshops, present performances or offset fees of career-oriented activities like classes.

The funding was awarded to VSA arts of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Arts Board from the National Arts and Disability Center and the Social Security Administration to continue work developing artist networks in Fergus Falls, Mankato, Mora/Hinckley, St. Cloud, Bemidji, Duluth and the Twin Cities. To learn more about opportunities with these seven groups, contact VSA arts of Minnesota.

VSA arts of Minnesota works with Park State Bank and Vision Loss Resources to exhibit artwork created by artists with disabilities throughout the year. These exhibits change every four months and are open to two-dimensional art forms. Occasionally, other exhibits are also available. Selected artists may receive a stipend for use of their work and 100% of any sales made go to the artists.

Park State Bank (430 First Avenue N., Suite 104, Minneapolis) is exhibiting work by Holly Schuh of Altura in southeast Minnesota through February 29. Holly was one of 15 emerging artists with disabilities to be selected in the juried exhibition “Driven” sponsored by Volkswagen. Vision Loss Resources (1936 Lyndale Ave. S. at Franklin in Minneapolis) is exhibiting work by Bridget Riversmith of Duluth through April 30. Bridget is a two-time recipient of VSA arts of Minnesota Artist Recognition Grants. For more info, call or go to What’s New, Visual Art Exhibitions.

Minnesota artist Holly Schuh and VSA arts of Minnesota board member Sue Warner attended a reception for the "Driven" exhibit featuring one of Holly’s works on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. in November (see picture on the right).

The Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center in Moorhead is showing a national VSA arts exhibit, Driven, through March 28. Featuring work by 15 artists with disabilities aged 16-25 from around the country, Driven opened last fall at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Holly Schuh of Altura in southeast Minnesota is a featured artist. On Saturday, Feb. 9 from 1:00 to 3:00 Ms. Schuh will talk about her work in visual art and about her life as a young woman with a disability. She will be joined by VSA arts of Minnesota Executive Director, Craig Dunn.

Driven is the sixth exhibit which has grown out of a partnership between VSA arts and Volkswagen of America, Inc. It helps to support many artists at a critical time when many are deciding whether to pursue the arts as a career. This year’s awardees were selected from 204 entrants. Over the next two years the exhibit will tour to Utah, Missouri, Wisconsin, Texas and Nebraska.

The 45th Annual International Art Show by Artists with Disabilities will be held at Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Minneapolis April 17 - May 15. A Grand Opening reception on Thursday, April 17 from 5-8 p.m. is the first opportunity to buy art, to recognize artists and present the $500 Best of Show prize and other awards. Entries for the show will be accepted until March 14 – or when the limit of 300 works is reached. Works are subject to committee approval. You can download the entry form at Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute (www.allina.com/ahs/ski.nsf) or call 612-863-4466.

Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute provides programs and services at five Allina hospitals and outpatient care at 18 community-based physical therapy centers.

In December six Minnesota artists were awarded $1,000 grants through the VSA arts of Minnesota Artist Recognition Program. The 12th annual competitive grant, funded by the Jerome Foundation, recognizes excellence by artists with disabilities. Selected from 47 applicants, the grantees are:

• Stanley Christopher, Saint Paul, Visual Art – painting
• Nancy Donoval, Minneapolis, Performance – storytelling
• Paul J. Flick, Minneapolis, Visual Art – mixed media
• Andrea Langworthy, Rosemount, Writing – essays
• Bridget Riversmith, Duluth, Visual Art – painting & animation
• James Van Amber, Mankato, Writing – magazine articles

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:

• Stacey Dinner-Levin, Minneapolis, playwright, former PACER staff and puppeteer
• Matthew A. Everett, Minneapolis, playwright, screenwriter
• Anne Krocak, Prior Lake, visual artist & twice grant recipient
• Robert Meyer, Blaine, director of Lake Elmo Regional Arts Center and Minnesota State Fair Art Show
• Melissa Michel, Minneapolis, artist, director of the 2006 Visible Fringe
• Karen Minge, Saint Paul, retired potter, MN Humanities Commission and Lex-Ham Community Council boards
• Mankwe Ndosi, Minneapolis performer, director of Center for Independent Artists
• Joy Purchase, Circle Pines artist, 2002 grant recipient, past Interact Center art instructor

You can create - and creating leads to learning! That’s the theme of a new national campaign to seek artwork by children ages 5-15.

VSA arts and the CVS Caremark All Kids Can program have joined in this comprehensive effort to encourage inclusive arts education and provide increased public awareness of the arts in the lives and learning of young people with disabilities. All 6,400 CVS Caremark pharmacies and all VSA arts affiliates are part of the effort, leading to a national exhibit of children’s works in Washington, DC.

Children and youth are invited to submit original visual artwork showing their creativity by Friday, March 14. The work must have been completed in the last year. Guidelines are at VSA arts (www.vsarts.org). Click on All Kids Can Create Call for Entries.

Educators of all grades and specialty areas Carlton, Esko, Duluth, Hermantown and Wrenshall are encouraged to attend a workshop in Duluth on Thursday, April 3, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Educators will take a journey of reflective inquiry and stimulating discussion on how to create inclusive visual arts experiences for students of all abilities within their classroom and curricula. Learn adaptive tools and techniques for materials, instruction and classroom management. Sign up through News and Views.

The VSA arts Playwright Discovery Program invites middle and high school students to take a closer look at the world around them, examine how disability affects their lives and the lives of others, and express their views through the art of playwriting. Playwrights may write from their own experience or about an experience in the life of another person or fictional character. Young playwrights with and without disabilities in grades 6-12 are encouraged to submit a script. Entries may be the work of an individual student or collaboration by a group or class of students.

The winning play will be professionally produced at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The winning playwright receives $2,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C., to see the play performed. Deadline is April 11.

VSA arts also provides a Playwright Discovery Resource Guide for Teachers to share successful teaching strategies and exercises in developing student playwriting skills. Resources on the topic of disability are also provided. Official rules, guidelines, application and Resource Guide may be downloaded from VSA arts (www.vsarts.org).

Colors of Minneapolis, an ink & tempera paint artwork by Mari Newman of Minneapolis, graces the January 2008 page of the American Printing House for the Blind InSights Calendar. For a copy, call 800-223-1839.

ArtsWork is an arts-based summer youth employment and training program made available in the Twin Cities by COMPAS. In order to help students with disabilities participate, VSA arts of Minnesota partners with COMPAS to address accommodation needs such as transportation, communication, behavioral support, etc. Disability is defined according to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act guidelines.

Who is eligible to participate in ArtsWork?

• must be a resident of Ramsey County or Hennepin County
• aspiring artists ages 14-21
• including students who have an Individualized Education Plan or 504 Plan

Benefits of participating:

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

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

This winter, 150 students from six schools in southern Minnesota had a unique opportunity to learn about the abilities of people with disabilities in the arts. The Hillstrom Museum of Art at Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter hosted "Destination Anywhere," a VSA arts national touring exhibit highlighting work created by artists with disabilities.

One participating special education teacher said, "The opportunity to view this exhibit was really beneficial to my students. Not only did they get to hear the message that they could be anyone they wanted to be and could go with their lives anywhere they wanted to go, but they also had the rare opportunity to spend time outside a classroom with fellow students..."

Besides awarding funding to help schools visit the exhibit, VSA arts of Minnesota told students about the artistic abilities of people with disabilities and how to participate in the arts in their community.

The exhibit was made possible by a grant provided by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council from funds appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature. Support was also provided by the Hillstrom Museum of Art and VSA arts of Minnesota. Thanks to all for participating!

Destination Anywhere, the national VSA arts touring exhibition of work by young artists with disabilities, spent late 2007 at the Hillstrom Museum of Art at Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter (see a picture of the opening reception on the right).

The 7th annual Metro Arts Festival will be held on Friday, April 18 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. This festival promotes self-achievement through the arts. Middle school students with developmental cognitive disabilities and peers from their school will be treated to performances and participate in hands-on sessions with local artists.

Look for VSA arts of Minnesota at the Statewide Developmental Cognitive Disabilities Conference in Duluth. We will present a workshop on "Integrating the Arts: Creative Ideas for Arts Integration in Special Education" on Monday, April 7, 12:45-1:45 pm at the DECC.

Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis partnered this school year with VSA arts of Minnesota to host teaching artist Lori Brink of Minnesota Center for Book Arts. Through her residency of one week in the fall and one week in the spring, Lori worked to bring the creativity and expression of the visual arts and book making to students of various abilities.

Teacher Linda McPherson said, "We noticed students helping each other, making positive comments about each other’s work and being very supportive of each other. The students were very proud of their work. This was such a rewarding experience for staff and students."

The employment of young people with disabilities in Minnesota will be promoted in a new poster campaign. VSA arts of Minnesota invites transition-age artists (17-22) to submit work by February 15.

At least three works of art will be selected and reproduced as 17x22” posters as part of an awareness campaign aimed at employers, educators, social service providers and the public. Artists whose work is selected will be paid stipends of $300 – and their schools will also receive $200 stipends for encouraging participation. Selected artists and their art work will be recognized at a public reception in April at the Minnesota Department of Human Services office in St. Paul.

The Work Possibilities for All Abilities Campaign is sponsored by Pathways to Employment (a joint initiative between the Department of Human Services, the Department of Employment & Economic Development and the State Council on Disability) in partnership with VSA arts of Minnesota. For more details and an entry form, visit our website under What’s New - Work Possibilities for All Abilities - Call for Visual Art Submissions.

Teaching artists are invited to attend a workshop on The Climate of Special Education in the Twin Cities on Wednesday, March 19 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Participants will explore new language, trends and tools for working with students with Developmental Cognitive Disorders. This collaboration between VSA arts of Minnesota and Upstream Arts will include dinner in the $25 fee. To register, contact Amie Pence at 612-332-3888 or amie@vsaartsmn.org.

Would you like to have an Artist in Residence at your school this spring? VSA arts of Minnesota has funding available for schools in central and greater Minnesota to develop a residency program this spring! To learn more, find the Artist in Residence request form at Forms and Guidelines - Artist-in-Residency Application Guidelines and Request Form 07-08.

Thanks to all Donors to VSA arts of Minnesota! Your generosity makes our statewide programs possible for adults and children with disabilities. The following list includes 2007 donations and through January 15, 2008. (In-kind donations are in italic.) If we have inadvertently missed your name, please let us know.

Memorials (unrestricted)
In memory of childhood neighbor, Rick West - Cindy Carlson, Craig Dunn & Candy Hart, Mavis Dunn

Gifts to the VSA arts of Minnesota Endowment Fund
In memory of Nathan Schmidt - John & Marilyn Schmidt, Karl & JoAnn Schmidt, Rowan Zeiss, Steve & Elizabeth Schmidt.
In memory of Rick Colvin – Steve & Elizabeth Schmidt.

Gift in Honor of Chuck & Bev Fullmer (unrestricted)
Connie Fullmer and Jimmy Longoria.

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

Benefactors
General Mills Foundation, Guthrie Theater, Jigsaw Unlimited/Susan Diamond, Jane & Gerald Skluzacek, Lisa Skluzacek, Mary Vavra-Gibis & Chuck Gibis

Advocates
Diane Baldwin, Jaime Becker, Gail Burke, Bob & Kay Burland, Jaehn Clare, Cornerstone Copy Center, Courage Center, Craig Dahl, Design Cuisine/Macy’s, Craig Dunn & Candy Hart, Taras Dykstra, Dale Finke & Deb Rielley, Clete Fleming, Food Systems Design, Sherri & Wayne Fuller, Connie Fullmer & Jimmy Longoria, Tom Gale, Dr. Paul Haack, Jimmie Hanson, Dolores & Merle Hart, Jody Hofer Van Ness, Jean Stephen Galleries, Janet Jones, Mackall Crounse & Moore PLC, Michael Malver, Bill Muchow, Park State Bank - Warehouse District, Lawrence Redmond, Steve & Elizabeth Schmidt, Kit & Dick Schmoker, Mark Siegel, Jon Skaalen, Norman Steere, Dennis Sutliff, Richard Thompson, Steven & Susan Turbenson, Rick Vogt, Sue Warner.

Sponsors
Shane Anderson, Howard Ansel, Sharon Bigot, Diane Blake, Cindy Carlson, Elizabeth Childs, Steve Cronin, James & Beverly Dusso, Randy & Helen Edinger, Julie & Anders Himmelstrup, Susan Howe, Wade Karli, Kathy Klein & Scott Fink, Sue & Mark Lasoff, Andrew & Rebecca LeVake, Kelley & Dianne Lorix, Bill Lyth, Kristen Mathisen, Fern & Bill Miller, David & Karen Minge, Myles Reif Performing Arts Center, Sharon O’Brien, Holly Newman, Bob Payton, Glen & Sandi Pence, Peggy Peterson, Richard & Rachel Quenemoen, George & Mary Raymond, Nancy & Larry Robbert, Dr. Kay Robinson, Mary Samuels, Jayne Spain, John & Mary Thoemke, Dorothy Timm-Meili, Pam Truesdell, Cindy Wetzell, Louise Ziegler.

Supporters
Robyn Alexander, Robert K Anderson, Derek Appleyard, Sharman Barrett, Jack Becker and Nancy Reynolds, Kim & Paul Bergmann, Pamela Bottoms, Woody & Joy Bridges, William Brombach, Barbara Davis, Don Druke, Thomas & Patricia Fetsch, Marvin & Rosemary Fish, Mark Geier, Jane Gerus, Marge Goldberg, Sara Haugen, IceBox Quality Framing & Gallery,Tara Innmon, Yvonne Klocek, Paula Krippner, Gary & Sheila Langer, Jane Leonard, Phill Lindsay, Ann Lohn, Donna Norberg, Chris Orr, Don & Kathy Park, Dr. Pam Paulson, Bela Petheo, Mary Sample, Jesse Sanders-Greenberg, Marcy Schulte, Stephanie Schwartz, Susan Searle, Nadine Sehnert, Mary Small, Sandra Stone, Susan Swenson, Ann Wasserman, Tom & Kathy Weber, Stacy Woods, John Work.

Silent Auction Donors
20% Theatre Company Twin Cities, Al Vento Restaurant, Bakken Museum, Barbette, Bean Counter Coffee, Terry Bebertz, Bibelot Shops, Black Forest Inn, Bloomington Civic Theatre, Karen Bryan, Bryant-Lake Bowl, Caribou Coffee, Howard Carson, Carter Ave Frame Shop, Central Lakes College Theatre, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Chez Daniel, Chiang Mai Thai, Children's Theatre Co., Commonweal Theatre, Courage Cards & Gifts, Cross Community Players, CSB/SJU Fine Arts Programs, Stephen & Jean Danko, Dolce Vita, Doolittles, Duluth Art Institute, Dunn Brothers Coffee, Craig Dunn & Candy Hart, Taras & Mary Dykstra, Edy's Grand Ice Cream, Estate of Eric Peterson, Milton Evenson, Fairmont Opera House, Flower Shop Project, Friend of VSA arts of MN, Gallery Theater Co., Kathy Gerdts-Senger, Ginger Murray Photography, Great Waters Brewing, Green Mill Restaurants, Guthrie Theater, Haskell's, Hauser Dance, Heart of the Beast Theatre, Hell's Kitchen, Hibbing Community College Theatre, Historic Holmes Theatre, James Sewell Ballet, Jasmin Salon Spa, Jawaahir Dance Co., Jax Café, Jensen's Supper Club, Jungle Theater, Jeni Kiley, Robert Kingston, DDS, Kozy's Steaks & Seafood, Lakeshore Players, Lakeville City Ballet, Little Wine Shoppe, Jimmy Longoria, Lyon's Pub, Lyric Arts Co. of Anoka, Mackall Crounse & Moore, PLC, Malt Shop, Marquette Hotel, Marriott City Center, Martini Blu, Masque Youth Theatre, Nell Miller, Minneapolis Musical Theatre, MN Center Chorale, MN Center for Book Arts, MN Citizens for the Arts, MN Dance Theatre, MN Fringe Festival, MN Jewish Theatre, MN Museum of American Art, MN Orchestra, Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Mixed Blood Theatre, Morris Park Players, Mounds View Comm. Theatre, Bill Muchow, Museum of Russian Art, Mari Newman, Donna Norberg, Northern Clay Center, Old Chicago, Old Country Buffet, Old Log Theater, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Park Square Theatre, Terri Lea Parks,  Patrick's Cabaret, Pillsbury House Theatre, Plymouth Playhouse, Leo Pritschet, Q.Cumbers, Reflections by Rachel, Refuge/Rosen’s, Reif Center, Bridget Riversmith, Rochester Repertory Theatre, Harry Rosenbaum, Sue Rosenbaum, Salon in the Park, Sheldon Theatre, Kip Shane, Rosy Simas, Sue Singer, Jon Skaalen, Lisa Skluzacek, St. Croix Festival Theatre, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Stages Theatre Co., Stella's Fish Café, SteppingStone Theatre, The Loft, The O'Shaughnessy, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Theatre in the Round, Timber Lodge Steakhouse, TOSCA, Triple Espresso, U of M Theatres, Utrecht Art Supplies, Vern Carver & Beard Art Galleries, VocalEssence, Walker Art Center, Sue Warner, What's Hennepin Recording Studio, Youth Performance Co., Zelo, Fr. James Zotalis.

Five Minnesotans received the 10th annual Arts Access Awards from VSA arts of Minnesota. These statewide awards are funded by VSA arts to recognize outstanding accomplishments that help make the arts more accessible to people with disabilities. The awards were presented in Minneapolis on Sept. 23 at Macy’s Sky Room during VSA’s Autumn Auction & Cabaret.

Each received an original work of art by Mankato artist Marlene Olson. The Jaehnies were presented by VSA arts of Minnesota co-founder Jaehn Clare, a performing artist and VSA arts of Georgia staff member. The 2007 recipients are:
Most Active and Visible Minnesota Artist with a Disability – Alissa Hullett, Faribault artist.
Outstanding Arts Educators of Students and Adults with Disabilities – Danelle Griner, St. Paul, art teacher and facilitator for Rise and Courage Center; and Jeff Tornquist, Eden Prairie, co-advisor to the Y’s Act social inclusion drama club at Eden Prairie High School.

Outstanding Individuals Actively Promoting Access to the Arts for People with Disabilities – Gail Burke, Woodbury, former Human Resources Manager/Accessibility Coordinator for the Minnesota State Arts Board; and Jon Skaalen, Stillwater, board member, MN Association of Community Theatres & Interact Center; accessibility coordinator for the MN Fringe Fest.

In the past ten years, VSA arts of Minnesota has recognized 34 artists, educators and individuals, and 15 organizations.

MCA is looking forward to getting legislative approval of a state amendment for citizens to vote on a 3/8 percent sales tax with proceeds going to the arts and environment. Arts funding could triple if this amendment is approved in November 2008. MCA members are invited to the Capitol to meet with their representatives and senators on Arts Advocacy Day, February 14. For more info, go to Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (www.mncitizensforthearts.org).

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts elected Craig Dunn as board president at its November 5 annual meeting (see picture on the right).