VSA arts of Ohio
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Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts |
Kimberly Murray |
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Tel.: (614) 241.5325 |
Website: |
Organizational Profile:
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Full-time Staff: 1 |
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VSA arts of Ohio promotes the creative power in people with disabilities. Since 1986, VSA arts of Ohio has provided unique opportunities for artists with diverse abilities to share their creativity through teaching partnerships in schools and adjudicated competitions and exhibitions. Additionally, activities reach out to enhance the lives of all Ohioans through arts integration, disability awareness, and accessibility; building awareness of the abilities present in all of us.
Programming Partners and Other Funders:
Ohio Department of Education; Office for Exceptional Children; Ohio Arts Council; KeyBank Foundation; Ohio’s State Based Collaboratives Initiative, Target, and over 50 schools, recreation centers, camps, galleries, and other activity sites in every corner of the state
State Programs
Educational Programs and Artist Residencies
Adaptation, Integration, and the Arts (AIA)
In conjunction with the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children, VSA arts of Ohio supports sites throughout the state at which an artist with a disability works in partnership with a general classroom teacher to reinforce learning and provide an alternative teaching style for students with special needs. Artists working in the program receives professional development services in conjunction with Ohio's State-Based Collaboratives Initiative, as well as through workshops being provided for teachers on the topics of integrating and adapting the arts for students with special needs.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
Accessible Expressions Ohio
Accessible Expressions Ohio (AEO) is a juried, traveling, visual arts exhibition featuring more than 60 artists displaying 75 works. The primary goal is to provide artists with opportunities to pursue their art as a vocation. Most of the exhibited works are for sale with the proceeds going primarily to the artist. The AEO exhibition reaches a wide audience of potential buyers and displays various artists’ styles to an audience that may be interested in commissioning an artist’s work.
As part of the Career Forum project conducted in 2005, a workbook has been produced as a tool for artists, service providers, mentors, and family members to use as a vocational guide to careers in the arts. Additional funding received from the NADC, NEA, and VSA arts will allow for additional distribution of the workbook and follow-up activities related to the project.
Public Awareness and Outreach
Festivals
Under the VSA arts of Ohio umbrella is a series of events presented each year by local committees called Service Divisions. Programming ranges from one-day festivals to theatre events and project partnerships where schools and arts centers work together to provide ongoing, community-based programming for youth and adults with and without disabilities.
Web Site
VSA arts of Ohio’s Web site features artwork and note cards for sale, announcements for workshops and exhibitions for artist participation, information about VSA arts of Ohio programs and activities, and links to other arts organizations in the state and nationwide.
Avenue to the Arts Newsletter
VSA arts of Ohio publishes a newsletter, Avenue to the Arts, four times a year. Avenue to the Arts features updates on VSA arts of Ohio programming and opportunities for artists.
Conference Presentations
VSA arts of Ohio presents and displays information at conferences and other events including the Brain Injury Association of Ohio Conference, the Ohio Advocates for Mental Health Conference, and convenings of the Ohio Arts Education Association, the Ohio Music Educators Association, Special Olympics Tent City and others.
Young Soloists
Each May, VSA arts of Ohio presents one of its most popular events, An Evening with the Young Soloists. During a competition held earlier in the year, three artists, proficient in vocal or instrumental music, are selected to receive prizes and perform at the event held in their honor.
Resources
VSA arts of Ohio continues to work towards developing a comprehensive resource library and database of agencies and programs currently presenting activities involving the arts, education and disabilities. Along with the resource library is an “artist station” where artists can access electronic information, learn necessary computer skills or complete online applications for funding; all in an effort to link people and services together throughout the state and even nationwide.
(F) 202-429-0868