VSA arts of California
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4660 Natomas Boulevard, Suite 120-225 |
Alice Parente |
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Tel.: (916) 277-6747 / (916) 212-0803 |
Organizational Profile:
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Full-time Staff: 1 |
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VSA arts of California promotes the creative power of the arts in the lives of people with disabilities, primarily through 1) provision of technical and financial support for Very Special Arts California programs in both educational and community settings, 2) public outreach, and 3) advocacy. Our goal is to facilitate access to the arts, community awareness, and greater understanding of the power of the arts to change lives.
Programming Partners and Other Funders:
Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission; Sacramento Unified School District; Robinsons~May; Dream Envision Foundation; Setzer Foundation; Target Stores; Wells Fargo; US Bank; Teichert Foundation; OppenheimerFunds Legacy Program; Suburban Kiwanis; Knights of Columbus; Active 20-30 Club
State Programs
Educational Programs and Artist Residencies
ArtShift
This is an ongoing arts education program for hospitalized children that provides weekly programs targeting a variety of youth. Children in hospitals or residential convalescence care units to receive long-term care, may be treated for cancer, diabetes, leukemia, kidney failure and/or receive bone marrow transplants, skin graphs, and blood transfusions. The goals of Artshift are to make the hospital environment seem less isolating and frightening and to assist children in creating artwork which will promote a sense of individual accomplishment and feeling of community.
I Can Do That
This is an artists-in-the-schools program conducted in 50 schools within four Sacramento County school districts. Professional artists are hired to work at K-12 schools with integrated groups of special education and general education students. Each artist instructs the students in creating a high-quality performance or visual art exhibit which is then presented to the Sacramento community. Artistic disciplines include drama, ceramics, video production, hip-hop dance, drawing and painting, mural-making, and vocal music. Learning goals adhere to the California Department of Education Standards in Language Arts and Mathematics.
Safe Life
The Safe Life Project for Children with Disabilities is designed to develop and implement an effective personal safety, abuse prevention, and reporting training program for students with developmental disabilities. The project develops and supports age-appropriate curricula and educational products while providing students with lessons on personal safety and abuse prevention.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
VSA Artist Community
The VSA arts of California Artists Community was established to provide opportunities for California artists to exhibit or present their art; to share with other artists information about themselves, their art, and available disability resources; and to be a resource of artistic talent. The VSA Artists Community creates opportunities for artists with disabilities to network, gain knowledge, and advocate for changes that allow artists with disabilities to forge their own artistic contributions and abilities. Through the Community, VSA arts of California will work to enhance employment opportunities and exposure to and for artists with disabilities—providing information, advocacy and support.
Open Eyes–Open Hearts
The program serves youth with disabilities by building disability awareness within the schools and communities. VSA arts of California provides teachers, artists, and program coordinators with ideas on how to utilize the arts to reach the whole child, the whole class, and the whole community in a positive, self-esteem-building manner. As a result of this program, participants learn to perceive children with disabilities in terms of their strengths and weaknesses; develop a “can do” attitude toward working with these children; assist children without disabilities in understanding, approaching, and interacting with children with disabilities; and minimize fear and negative reactions about teaching and serving children with special needs.
Public Awareness and Outreach
Festivals
VSA arts Festivals are community-based celebrations that communicate the power of the arts and the benefits of VSA arts of California’s programs by showcasing the talents and capabilities of participants throughout California. Festivals feature performances, art exhibitions, demonstrations, and educational workshops where children, youth, and adults with disabilities proudly share their artistic accomplishments with the general public. VSA arts of California serves more than 100,000 people by conducting festivals, many of which are part of collaborative partnerships between various schools districts, County Offices of Education, and local Very Special Arts organizations.
(F) 202-429-0868