VSA arts of Wisconsin
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4785 Hayes Road, #201 |
Kathie Wagner |
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Tel.: (608) 241-2131 |
Website: |
Organizational Profile:
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Full-time Staff: 5 |
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VSA arts of Wisconsin expands the capabilities, confidence, and quality of life for children and adults with disabilities by providing programs in dance, drama, creative writing, music, and visual art. VSA arts of Wisconsin achieves this mission through quality statewide initiatives, including extensive educational programming, professional development and technical assistance opportunities, and public awareness and outreach efforts. In 2005, VSA arts of Wisconsin celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Programming Partners and Other Funders:
Goodwill Industries; University of Wisconsin - Madison; Wisconsin Arts Board; Dane County Parent Council; Ashwaubenon Preschool and Parent Learning Program; School for Early Development and Achievement; Marquette University; State of Wisconsin; Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction/CESA 2; GE Healthcare; DeAtley Foundation, Wahlin Foundation; WPS Health Insurance; Clack Corporation; Kraft Foods; Variety Club Children’s Charities; Wausau Insurance; American Family Insurance; Lands’ End, Inc.; Advertisers Press; Thermo Electron Corporation; CUNA Mutual Group Foundation; Joy Global Foundation; Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation
State Programs
Educational Programs and Artist Residencies
Early Childhood - Healthy Foundations Initiative
VSA arts of Wisconsin teaching artists will work in early learning centers to integrate purposeful arts activities that support the learning of key experiences. These experiences include the development of social and emotional competence, language and communication, health and physical wellbeing, approaches to learning, and cognition and general knowledge. Twenty-two residencies will take place throughout the state.
Artist Residencies
Professional artists and educators facilitate school and community-based residencies throughout the state.
Choirs
VSA arts of Wisconsin conducts twelve choir programs in communities throughout the state. Individuals, with and without disabilities, engage in on-going music experiences that focus on individual and group strengths and talents. Each choir is directed by professional music therapists or educators that use adaptive teaching techniques to support the participation and skill development of all choir members.
Very Special Arts Centers
More than 50 classes in visual art, music and dance will be conducted at the Very Special Arts Center in Madison. Professional artists and art educators provide instruction and guidance so all participants can develop their skills and confidence in the arts. More than 500 individuals will be involved in art center programming in 2006.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
Early Childhood Conference/Teacher Training
Adaptive arts workshops will be conducted at four early learning centers in Madison, Milwaukee, and Eau Claire in Spring 2006. Children, teachers and parents will work together to improve literacy through participation in music, movement, drama, and visual art activities.
Artist Training - Early Childhood Health Foundations Initiative
A training workshop ensures that VSA arts of Wisconsin’s Early Childhood teaching artists understand the key concepts involved in the Healthy Foundation Initiative. Teaching artists review the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards, develop a framework to deliver developmentally appropriate arts programming and share ideas and resources to strengthen each residency.
Art for Sale
This initiative supports the career development of adult artists with disabilities through the organization and coordination of annual sales opportunities. This program reaches an audience of approximately 200,000.
Cultural Access and Inclusive Arts Services
Madison Symphony Orchestra, Hearth Strings Program
VSA arts of Wisconsin staff, teaching artists and music class participants will work with members of the Madison Symphony Orchestra to increase awareness of disability issues within music education and demonstrate the use of adaptive techniques that increase involvement of individuals with disabilities in music programming. This cultural access collaboration will assist the Madison Symphony Orchestra in developing a new community outreach program that emphasizes the
rehabilitative elements of music.
Additional cultural access initiatives include producing resource materials to be shared with visual art exhibit venues addressing exhibition accessibility and offering disability awareness and cultural sensitivity training to staff at cultural venues.
Public Awareness and Outreach
Children's and Adult Art Collections
VSA arts of Wisconsin Children’s and Adult Collections showcase the artistic talents of individuals with disabilities. An annual statewide call for art generates more than 200 submissions. Award recipients are honored at a celebration, and their artwork becomes part of VSA artss traveling exhibit that is displayed in selected cities throughout the state.
Newsletter
This quarterly publication provides program updates and information about the organization to participants, educators, volunteers, sponsors, civic leaders, and legislators.
Web Site
VSA arts of Wisconsin hosts a Web site (http://www.vsawis.org) that highlights board, staff, volunteers, programs, and events. The site also features visual art produced by artists with disabilities, includes donation information, application and registration forms, and notes sponsorship opportunities.
(F) 202-429-0868