VSA arts of Colorado
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909 Santa Fe Drive |
Damon McLeese |
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Tel.: (303) 777-0797 |
Website: |
Organizational Profile:
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Full-time Staff: 1 |
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VSA arts of Colorado is creating a world where people with disabilities have the opportunity to learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. It was established in 1978 and continues to thrive today. Each year VSA arts of Colorado serves nearly 10,000 people with disabilities, their families and those that work with them.
Programming Partners and Other Funders:
Scientific and Cultural Facilities District; Sante Fe Arts District; Denver Public Schools; Adams County District 12 schools; Durango Art Center; Regis University; Sangre De Cristo Arts Center; Showcase Gallery; Arvada Center for the Arts; Mizel Center for the Arts; Opera Colorado; Excel Energy Foundation; Colorado State Bank Foundation; Gay and Lesbian Fund for Colorado; Art Management Inc.; Denver Nuggets Foundation; Children’s Hospital; Platte Forum; Colorado Council of the Art; Sutherland Foundation; City of Northglenn; North Metro Community Service; Fort Collins Adaptive Recreation; City of Lakewood Camp Paha; Aurora Public Schools; Craig Hospital; Developmental Disabilities Resource Center; Denver Options; Denver Parks & Recreation Special Needs; Evergreen Parks & Recreation; Grand Junction Arts Center; Jewish Community Center; Rocky Mountain MS Center; Out and About; Tennyson
State Programs
Educational Programs and Artist Residencies
Artist Workshops and Demonstrations
These activities are usually short-term and are designed to showcase a particular artist or group. Examples include a performance of a dance troupe at a school or a one-time visit to an art class by a master sculptor.
Artist Residencies
Artist residencies provide longer contact than the workshops/demonstrations, and are designed to increase the artistic skill and awareness of participants. Key components of residencies are that each: is led by a qualified trained artist; has a lesson plan developed with the artist and the teacher or group leader; and has a culminating activity, an art show, performance or celebration.
Arts for All Mobile Art Studio
The Arts for All art tools are one-of-a-kind products that offer opportunities for creative expression to individuals of any ability. Art tools are designed so that participants with limited movement or lack of fine motor skills can engage in learning through the arts. The tools incorporate the use of one’s wheelchair, walker, legs, or arms as a part of the artistic tool. Individuals can paint or draw while working on mobility skills and coordination. Art days can be scheduled in schools or any other community setting.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
Educational Programs
Through a variety of offerings VSA arts of Colorado strives to increase awareness of the issues facing people with disabilities. Our target markets for our educational programs are:
Teachers: Early childhood educators can take advantage of the VSA arts curriculum, Start with the Arts (STWA). This unique curriculum is designed to increase literacy skills in preschoolers using the arts. A full curriculum and training are available through VSAarts of Colorado. Each year VSA arts of Colorado hosts training programs designed to increase skills and understanding on how to work with children with disabilities in the classroom. VSA arts of Colorado offers Continuing Education Credits for these workshops when appropriate.
Artists: In addition to working with artists in its gallery, VSA arts of Colorado offers ongoing educational opportunities for artists with disabilities to increase their professional skill set. Services include one-on-one consultations, in-house training, a listserv, and access to outside training opportunities.
Cultural Access and Inclusive Arts Services
Access Education
Each month in conjunction with the show in the Access Gallery, VSA arts of Colorado hosts an informal Brown Bag discussion. Topics focus on accessibility issues related to arts organizations. Examples include, "Making outdoor events more accessible" and "Designing an accessible Web site." Once or twice a year VSA arts of Colorado hosts a one-day workshop that looks at the issues surrounding accessibility in a more in-depth manner. One-day workshops focus on issues such as programmatic accessibility or employment for people with disabilities in the arts.
Organizational Consultations
VSA arts of Colorado also provides private consultations and training for arts organizations looking to increase access. VSA arts of Colorado can provide an American with Disabilities Act compliance survey or staff training on working with various populations.
Public Awareness and Outreach
Access Gallery & Traveling Exhibits
The cornerstone of VSA arts of Colorado programming efforts is the Access Gallery. Annually, VSA arts of Colorado hosts twelve shows in the Access Gallery and sponsors an additional two to four shows outside the greater Denver area. Each year in the Gallery, VSA arts of Colorado hosts the following types of shows: shows dedicated to emerging or established individual artists with disabilities; group shows of artwork created by artists representing a particular disability or type of practice; shows dedicated to exploring the theme of disability culture or how disability is viewed by society (may include artists without disabilities); and shows representing the various programs and projects that VSA arts sponsors. Each show in the Gallery features interactive educational opportunities that focus on the artwork, the disability or the project. The Access Gallery is completely ADA compliant and is used as a teaching lab for best practices for arts organizations.
(F) 202-429-0868