VSA arts Helpful Sites and Artist Links
Helpful Sites
- Access-Able Travel Source
- Providing Access Information for Mature and Disabled Travelers Online Since 1995.
- Anodyne Artists Company
- Located in the Midway district of Saint Paul, trains and mentors artists with disabilities in both theatre, where participants create new plays, and visual arts, where new works are displayed and sold in a large gallery. For information, call (651) 642-1684 or e-mail: anodynearts@gmail.com.
- Artists With Disabilities Alliance (AWDA)
- This informal group of visual artists, writers, photographers, performers, musicians, etc. meets monthly in the Twin Cities to provide a supportive environment for all Artists with Disabilities; opportunities for artists to give and receive feedback, critique and support; mentorship opportunities to allow artists to share and/or increase their skills; and connections with the broader community through artistic expression. It offers artist profiles and portfolios, a message board and other news.
- Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities Guide site at VSA arts
- Putting Creativity to Work: a free book on how artists with disabilities can work in the arts. Produced by VSA arts and the Social Security Administration.
- CAST Academy of Acting & Showcase Theater
- Established in 1971, CAST is a full-time, professional acting school, offering an intensive combination program of private classes and public performance experience. CAST produces 3 to 5 shows each year in its Showcase Theater. 4030 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN 55421; Phone: 763-789-2353.
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division
- A division in the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
- Deafblind Information
- Minnesota's Online Resource about Combined Vision and Hearing Loss.
- Disability Access Symbols
- This site allows you to download symbols that can be imported to documents when you want to inform the public about various access services such as Wheelchair Access, ASL interpretation, Live Audio Description, TTY available, etc.
- Housecalls Network
- Provides resources to seniors and physically challenged people, living in the Twin Cities, who wish to live as independently as possible.
- Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts
- Located in the Minneapolis Warehouse District, was founded to provide artists with disabilities a place to pursue and develop their art to its highest potential, and to increase their integration into the broader professional arts community. A staff of professional musicians, actors and visual artists provides advocacy, mentorship and collaboration - producing several original theatre productions each year and displaying new visual art in the Inside-Out Gallery. (612) 339-5145.
- Interpreter Referral
- Information about sign language interpreters, how to use them and how to find them.
- Karawane: Or, the Temporary Death of the Bruitist
- Karawane is a Twin Cities-based journal of experimental performance texts. Karawane Website at My Space (www.myspace.com/karawane). Email: Karawane@earthlink.net.
- Minnesota Association of Community Theatres
- Founded to encourage excellence in amateur theatre, MACT offers play festivals, workshops, and a Hotline and e-mailed MACTograms with auditions, jobs, theatre news, a performance calendar, classes and other networking connections.
- Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
- The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities provides materials to enhance independence, inclusion, individual productivity and self-determination for people with disabilities. They have self-paced, online learning courses increase one's knowledge and skills in self advocacy, education and employment. Free materials and features include: Resources for individuals, families and professionals; "Parallels in Time: A History of Developmental Disabilities"; The Learning Center: a library of 10,000 pages of documents on a wide array of topics, produced by the DD Council. For more information: MinnesotaDDCouncil@msn.com.
- Minnesota State Arts Board
- A state agency dedicated to enriching the cultural lives of all Minnesota people. Contains links to 11 Regional Arts Councils. Offers some grants and resources for artists and arts organizations.
- Minnesota Travel Guide for Persons with Disabilities
- Access for All is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation that was created to provide information on accessibility for persons with disabilities and mature travelers. Its goal is to gather and disseminate unbiased and detailed accessible travel information for persons that travel to or live in the state of Minnesota.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Minnesota
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota works to improve the lives of children and adults with mental illness and their families.
- Narrative Television Network
- The Emmy Award-winning Narrative Television Network makes movies and television accessible to millions of blind and visually impaired people by unobtrusively adding the voice of a narrator to the existing soundtrack. This Emmy Award-winning programming is now available by making your movie selection from one of the links below.
- National Arts and Disability Center
- National information dissemination, technical assistance and referral center specializing in the field of arts and disability.
- Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, Art Show
- The Sister Kenny International Art Show by Artists with Disabilities had its 45th annual show April 17 to May 15, 2008 on the second floor of the Sister Kenny Building of Abbott Northwestern Hospital, 800 E. 28th Street in Minneapolis. Artwork is judged in six categories: graphic, watercolor, sculpture, photography, mixed media, oils and acrylics. For details, call (612) 863-4466.
- Springboard for the Arts
- The mission of Springboard for the Arts is to cultivate a vibrant arts community by connecting artists with the skills, contacts, information and services they need to make a living and a life. They offer an online Job Book, Opportunities and Deadlines, Workshops and other resources. For more information: 651-292-4381.
- TCDeaf.com
- An online guide to the Deaf community in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis & Saint Paul, Minnesota - News, Events, Jobs, Community Ads, and other links to the signing community - Churches, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS), Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens, etc.
- TC Theatre and Film
- TC Theatre and Film publicizes notices for auditions, jobs, and other networking opportunities in the Minnesota theatre and film world.
- Telephone Equipment Distribution
- This program gives telephone equipment to people who are hard of hearing, deaf, or have a speech or mobility impairment.
- Upstream Arts, Inc.
- The mission of Upstream Arts is to enhance the lives of youth with disabilities by promoting social and vocational independence through the power of arts education.
- VSA arts Headquarters, Washington D.C.
- VSA arts is an International organization that creates learning opportunities through the arts for people with disabilities.
Artist Links
Minnesota Artist Links
- Jonah Anderson
- Jonah Anderson is a graphic artist from Minneapolis who works with spray paint, air brush and computer. See his graphic words at: Stunville - Urban Art, Graffiti (www.stunville.com).
- Matt Arthur
- Matt Arthur is a performer and songwriter from Ellendale, MN. After heading the Prest Asbestus rock band in the 90s, he turned to blues, folk and gospel music (see his 2002 CD "As I See It"). He now leads the Bratlanders and has a weekly Internet radio show, "Matt's Music Show," every Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 CDT at DishNuts (www.dishnuts.net). His website is: Matt Arthur - The Way I See It (www.mattarthur.net).
- Kathryn Bakke
- Kathryn Bakke is a riveting and inspirational performer who combines her talents as speaker and pianist with her life experience with profound hearing loss. Website: Kathryn Bakke, Speaker, Pianist, Hearing Loss Consultant (www.outofaglasshouse.com).
- John Lee Clark
- John Lee Clark is a poet, story writer and publisher of The Tactile Mind, signing community literature (books, DVDs, Ezine). Website: The Tactile Mind (www.thetactilemind.com).
- Cheryl Criss
- Cheryl Criss of Minneapolis visual artist, poet, musician and photographer. Website: Soulful4Soul by The Countess of Compositions (http://community.webtv.net/cbabysky4c) and Soulful Inspiring Compositions (http://groups.msn.com/Soul4Soul2).
- Michael "the Hook" Deutsch
- Michael "the Hook" Deutsch is a pianist who has twice won VSA arts of Minnesota Artist Recognition Grants. You can find him at the Minneapolis Malt Shop Sundays & Wednesdays or other venues where jazz-blues-boogie prevail. Website: Michael "The Hook" Deutsch (www.michaelthehookdeutsch.com).
- MariJayn Duchene
- MariJayn Duchene is a visual artist and website designer in West Saint Paul who offers special pricing for artists with disabilities. Website: Opus Arts, Special Prices For Disabled Artists (www.angelfire.com/mn3/opusartsllcpdf/DISOAsales.html), or: OpusArts LLC (www.opusartsllc.com).
- Thomas John Frank
- Thomas John Frank is a graphic artist from Northfield. Check out his fun Spacebugs story on Spacebugs (www.spacebugs.tv).
- Curt Jones
- Curt Jones is a blind drummer who co-founded the band Tamarak in 1980. It evolved from country to rock 'n roll. They play throughout Minnesota. Website: The Official Tamarak Website (www.tamarak.iwarp.com).
- Rene Joseph
- Rene Joseph is a visual artist and writer in Minneapolis. Website: Rene Joseph Art (www.renejoseph.com).
- Kevin Kling
- Kevin Kling is a playwright, actor and short story teller in Minneapolis. Website: Kevin Kling (www.kevinkling.com).
- Rebecca Kragnes
- Rebecca Kragnes , Minneapolis, is a professional musician and composer with several CDs for sale. Website: Rebecca Kragnes, Home Page (www.rebeccak.com).
- Serik KulmeshkenovSerik
- Serik KulmeshkenovSerik is a graphic artist, cartoonist and photographer in Minneapolis. Website: Artist Serik Kulmeshkenov (www.serikkul.narod.ru).
- Raymond Luczak
- Raymond Luczak is a deaf writer (five books and counting), filmmaker (three DVDs out), playwright (thirteen plays and counting), and a novice painter (too embarrassed to show anything). He lives in Minneapolis. Website: Raymond Luczak - A dreamer who's only begun... (www.raymondluczak.com).
- Pauline Mitchell
- Pauline Mitchell is a Minneapolis sculptor working in clay. She designed the 2005 Jaehny Awards for VSA arts of Minnesota. Website: Minnesota Artists - Pauline Mitchell (www.mnartists.org/Pauline_Mitchell).
- Mari Newman
- Mari Newman is a painter and 3D artist from South Minneapolis. She is a past Artist Recognition Grant winner. Website: Minnesota Artists - Mari Newman (www.mnartists.org/Mari_Newman).
- Maureen Pranghofer
- Maureen Pranghofer is a pianist and composer in Golden Valley. CD for sale. Website: Maureen's Music (www.maureensmusic.com).
- Bridget Riversmith
- Bridget Riversmith , a visual artist from Duluth, received Artist Recognition Grants from VSA arts of Minnesota in 2003 and 2007. Website: Red Rabbit Riversmith (www.redrabbitriversmith.com).
- Nicole Roberts
- Nicole Roberts , Minneapolis, is a freelance writer for several monthly publications, and is working on a book about her spiritual and psychic experiences. Website: Gifted Psychic-Guardian Angels, Readings, Animal Communication and Healing by Relying On Joy (www.relyingonjoy.com).
- Linda Roy
- Linda Roy , Minneapolis, is an artist who designs Websites. An example is: Native America on the Web (http://www.nativeamericaontheweb.biz).
- Jeff Smith
- Jeff Smith is a Minnesota magician who happens to be blind. Website: The Amazing Jeff-o (http://amazingjeffo.com).
National Artist Links
- Josh Blue
- Minnesota-born comedian with cerebral palsy. Website: Josh Blue - Last Comic Standing (www.joshblue.com).
- Sidiki Conde - Tokounou All-Abilities Music & Dance Ensemble
- West African musician/dancer Sidiki Conde, who lost the use of his legs from polio as a teenager, founded the Tokounou All-Abilities Music & Dance Ensemble to showcase their African culture in a communal experience that embraces people of all backgrounds and abilities. He lives in New York and Guinea, and has performed several times in Minnesota.
- Theater Breaking Through Barriers
- Theater Breaking Through Barriers, formerly Theatre By The Blind, has performed in New York City for nearly 30 years. They represent the U.S. every other October at the International Theater Festival of the Blind and Visually Impaired, held in Zagreb, Croatia. Phone: 212-243-4337, email: gar@nyc.rr.com, Web: Theater Breaking Through Barriers (www.tbtb.org), address: 306 W. 18th Street, #3A, New York, NY 10011.
- Van Gogh
- Van Gogh is a rock band based in Georgia whose two lead vocalists have muscular dystrophy. They have recorded two albums and appeared at the VSA arts International Festival in Los Angeles in May, 1999. Website: Van Gogh, Official band site (www.vangoghmusic.com).
