VSA arts of Arkansas, Inc.
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1105 Deer Street, Suite 11 |
Becky Harris |
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Tel.: (501) 329-8249, x102 |
Website: |
Organizational Profile:
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Full-time Staff: 1 |
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Independent Living Services, Inc. (ILS) is a non-profit service agency that assists in making a better life possible for people with developmental disabilities. Although the core mission of ILS is to assist people with the services and supports needed to live as independently as possible in the community, it recognizes that each person needs the opportunity to develop their "whole person," not just basic health, safety, and life skills. The ILS arts initiative is a key component of its holistic programming. It is used as a model by other service agencies across the state that are seeking to start arts programs.
Programming Partners and Other Funders:
University of Central Arkansas Occupational Therapy and Theater Departments; Conway Public Schools; Conway Human Development Center; My House; Pediatrics Plus Therapy
State Programs
Educational Programs and Artist Residencies
After Arts
After Arts is an integrated afterschool program for children of all abilities that incorporates visual arts instruction and appreciation. It is a part of the Conway public schools After School Programs in two elementary schools. Arts educators from the school system provide instruction, adapting their standard curriculum for students with disabilities. After Arts will continue through December 2006.
Saturday Arts
Saturday Arts increases access to the arts for adults with developmental disabilities through a program of art instruction and appreciation. The Saturday classes will allow participants who work during the work to attend. Classes will be held at the ILS Profiles Art Program Studio. Conway Human Development Center, one of the state's six intermediate care facilities for people with mental retardation, and My House, a community-based group home for adults with developmental disabilities, will partner with ILS on outreach efforts. They will also provide staff support if needed, and transportation.
Acting Creates Therapeutic Success (ACTS)
ACTS is an inclusive theatre opportunity for people of all ages and abilities in Conway and surrounding communities. This program is in its 10th year. Through ACTS, occupational therapy and theatre students at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) work with and learn from participants with disabilities. ACTS is structured in weekly theatre sessions that use a format developed collaboratively by UCA theater and occupational therapy faculty. Participants create original theatrical works based on a theme they choose. Some 60 participants performed in Fall 2005 in “Vacation,” about a group of hapless tourists wandering the world hoping to get home before they were “Fired!” About 600 attended the performance, the biggest crowd yet.
Acting Creates Therapeutic Success 2 (ACTS 2)
The first performance of ACTS 2 in December 2005 brought together children with and without disabilities. ACTS 2 is led by occupational therapists who participated in the ACTS program as UCA students. The group chose a theme of “The Olympics ... That Almost Wasn’t.” The program began in September 2005 with weekly “rehearsals” aimed at increasing social skill development, self-confidence, cooperation, teamwork, adaptation and other skills essential to daily living. Independent Living Services partners with Pediatrics Plus Therapy Services on this program. While ACTS 2 focuses on the process rather than the product of creating a dramatic performance, the first presentation was attended by a crowd of about 450.
Public Awareness and Outreach
Arts and Angels
A December 2005 program of visual art and music, “Arts and Angels,” featured works by participants in the After Arts and Saturday Arts programs. The event also marked the 35th anniversary of Independent Living Services. It was well attended by members of the public.
The Art of Living
In addition to other marketing and press-generating activities around the ACTS performance and “Arts and Angels” event, Independent Living Services produced a video, “The Art of Living.” The video was released in September 2005. It is being used to promote arts education and working with people with disabilities. Program participants, teachers, family members, and community members were involved and featured. ILS will continue to show the video to public schools, universities, service providers, civic clubs and other community members.
Artwalk
Beginning in May 2006, Independent Living Services will coordinate a monthly Artwalk in downtown Conway. Artwalk participants will include retail businesses, restaurants, galleries, and city and county entities. This new project will salute our community’s artistic heritage, provide an outlet for our consumers’ artwork and help spread the word about our programs. The event will both appeal to families, students and friends of the artists, and increase interest and afterhours traffic in downtown Conway -- an aim shared by the agencies who will partner in this project.
(F) 202-429-0868