VSA is an international nonprofit organization founded more than 35 years ago by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts.
VSA and its name have evolved since the organization was founded. The organization was and continues to be a pioneer in the field of arts and disability. VSA has played a significant role over the years in changing society’s attitudes toward people with disabilities. With that change, the organization has regularly looked at its own identity to ensure it is consistent with current attitudes and language used by the disability community.
The Evolution of the VSA name:
1974: National Committee - Arts for the Handicapped
1985: Very Special Arts
1999: VSA arts
2009: VSA
Explaining the VSA name:
VSA was long known as Very Special Arts. Words such as ‘special’ and ‘handicapped’ do not reflect current language trends in the United States and many other countries. Therefore, we are now just VSA—The International Organization on Arts and Disability.
VSA is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Arts in Action VSA showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities.
Education Programs VSA provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities.
The Value of the Arts in Education
Each year 7 million people participate in VSA programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in 51 countries around the world.
VSA programming and initiatives are guided by four essential principles:
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Every young person with a disability deserves access to high quality arts learning experiences.
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All artists in schools and art educators should be prepared to include students with disabilities in their instruction.
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All children, youth, and adults with disabilities should have complete access to cultural facilities and activities.
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All individuals with disabilities who aspire to careers in the arts should have the opportunity to develop appropriate skills.
Inclusion teaches us that all means all. Everybody. No exceptions. The arts invite people to leave familiar territory, to explore new answers and seek new questions. The arts offer a means to self-expression, communication, and independence. By learning through the arts, students become lifelong learners, experiencing the joy of discovery and exploration, and the value of each other's ideas.
VSA is committed to driving change - changing perceptions and practice, classroom by classroom, community by community, and ultimately society.
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