VSA arts and MetLife Foundation Announce "Arts Connect All"

March 31, 2005

Arts organizations advance inclusive education programs for students with disabilities

Washington, D.C., March 31, 2005 - VSA arts and MetLife Foundation today announced the awardees for "Arts Connect All." This initiative is a funding opportunity designed to encourage arts organizations to strengthen partnerships with local public schools through the creation or enhancement of accessible education programs. The goal is to develop teaching practices that enable more people with disabilities to experience the social development and artistic opportunities provided through arts learning.

The following ten organizations will receive grants up to $15,000 to continue their work in creating inclusive learning environments that engage students of all abilities:

Deaf West Theatre (North Hollywood, Calif.) for "In-School Workshops" and "ASL Story Time," programs that promote cultural and theatrical experiences that are culturally relevant, linguistically appropriate, and fully accessible for deaf and hearing children from all walks of life.

National Theatre of the Deaf (West Hartford, Conn.) for "The Little Theatre of the Deaf," a program that provides educational partnerships with schools, communities, and students to promote awareness of Deaf Culture and exposure to American Sign Language.

Tampa Museum of Art (Tampa, Fla.) for "Partners in Art," an outreach program for six Hillsborough County schools that uses the creative processes of painting and photography to raise awareness and appreciation of community diversity.

Young Audiences, Woodruff Arts Center (Atlanta, Ga.) for "The Artist Residency Project," a residency program in inclusive educational practices for kindergarten-grade 12 that begins with professional development in learning strategies and activities for teachers and teaching artists.

Partners for Youth with Disabilities (Boston, Mass.) for "Access to Theatre," an after-school program and summer camp that uses all aspects of theater as an educational tool to help youth learn in a non-traditional setting.

Center Stage Associates (Baltimore, Md.) for "Encounter," a residency program for high school students that uses theater as a medium for learning, community building, and creative self-expression.

STAGES St. Louis (St. Louis, Mo.) for "Access the Arts," a program to provide inclusive instruction and participation in musical theater that develops students' creativity and imagination, as well as motor and communication skills.

Powerful Puppetry (Portland, Ore.) for "Understanding Physical Disabilities and Preventing Childhood Injury," a disability awareness program using the power of puppetry to encourage acceptance and inclusion of children with disabilities.

City Theatre Company (Pittsburgh, Pa.) for "City Theatre Artsbridge," a program for students to create and perform an original theater piece that integrates visual theater techniques.

The Providence Black Repertory Company (Providence, R.I.) for "Tell It Like It Is!," a theater music program where students create an original piece to educate peers about important issues for students with disabilities.

A distinguished panel of professionals, Ann-Ellen Lesser, director, AE-L Projects; Gordon Sasaki, artist educator, Museum of Modern Art; and Barbara Shepherd, director of national partnerships - education, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, reviewed and evaluated the entries.

"It is important to recognize, applaud, and support organizations that successfully involve all students in programs designed to foster an environment that creates awareness, understanding, and respect for everyone," said Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts.

"We are happy to support organizations that create opportunities for everyone to experience and learn through the arts. We join VSA arts in applauding the winning organizations for their commitment and exemplary work and commend VSA arts for its national leadership in promoting arts access and inclusion," commented Sibyl Jacobson, president of MetLife Foundation.

About MetLife Foundation

MetLife Foundation was established by MetLife to support various educational, health and welfare, and civic and cultural organizations across the country. Recognizing the arts' contribution to the health, vitality, and development of our communities, the Foundation is committed to increasing access to the arts and promoting diversity and inclusion. For more information about MetLife Foundation, please visit www.metlife.org.

About VSA arts

Founded in 1974 as an affiliate of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the participation of people with disabilities in the arts and society. VSA arts provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and tools they can use to support arts programming in their schools and communities; showcases the accomplishments of visual and performing artists with disabilities; and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. Currently, five million people participate in VSA arts programs each year through a network of affiliates nationwide and in more than 60 countries around the world. To learn more about VSA arts, please visit www.vsarts.org.

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