VSA arts’ ArtLink Cultural Exchange Program Connects U.S. and International Students

November 17, 2006

50 states and the District of Columbia participate

WASHINGTON, November 17, 2006 – VSA arts has expanded its “ArtLink” international cultural exchange program to pair 51 U.S. classrooms with International classrooms. Through this program, students of all abilities, ages 7-14, create visual art projects which are exchanged with a partner classroom abroad. The “ArtLink” exchange begins this month.

The program teaches students the importance of diversity and how other cultures live. Students form relationships using art to share their personal experiences. This year’s theme is “Culture Scope: Focusing in

One U.S. classroom from every state and the District of Columbia is paired with a participating classroom in the following countries: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Djibouti, Estonia, Ghana, Guam, Kenya, Kuwait, Malta, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Tajikistan, and Zimbabwe.

“What is significant about the ‘ArtLink’ program is that children around the world learn about each other and each other’s cultures,” said Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts. “In an economy that is increasingly global, these experiences are important for future generations.”

VSA arts’ affiliates facilitate the recruitment of participating schools and coordinate teaching artists to work directly with teachers and students. Teachers receive information about partner classrooms and guidelines for incorporating “ArtLink” into their lesson plans. The program integrates arts in education through a standard educational curriculum and can be used by educators who teach a variety of subjects. The guide provides ways to create and maintain an inclusive classroom for students with diverse learning needs and cultural backgrounds.

VSA arts will select one piece of artwork by a student with a disability from each classroom for an online virtual exhibit and VSA arts’ Start with the Arts Family Festival children’s art exhibit in Washington, D.C., June 2007. For more information, visit www.vsarts.org.

VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where all people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts. VSA arts provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities. VSA arts showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. Each year millions of people participate in VSA arts programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in more than 60 countries around the world. VSA arts is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Media Contact

Marcia Rhodes / VSA arts (202) 628-2800 ext. 3883, marciar@vsarts.org