VSA arts of Delaware
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Delaware State University Arts Center |
Jennifer L. Gunther |
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Tel.: (302) 857-6699 |
Website: |
Organizational Profile:
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Full-time Staff: 2 (plus 1 in-kind position) |
The mission of VSA arts of Delaware is to enhance the capabilities, confidence, and quality of life for children and adults with disabilities by providing learning opportunities in dance, theater, creative writing, music, and visual arts.
Programming Partners and Other Funders:
Delaware Division of the Arts; Delaware State University; AstraZeneca; State of Delaware; DFRC, Inc.; United Way of Delaware; Delaware Federation of Women’s Clubs; Verizon Foundation; Verizon Wireless Hopeline; Target Foundation; Wilmington Flower Market
Educational Programs and Artist Residencies
Artist-in-Residency (AIR) Program
This program provides artist residencies to many sites serving individuals with disabilities throughout the state. This is VSA arts of Delaware’s largest program, in which the organization provides appropriate coordination, administration, supervision, and evaluation at each specific residency site.
Projects promote specific art education opportunities in music, visual arts, and theater for children and adults with disabilities, in schools and the community. One particular community residency is with domestic violence shelters throughout the state, providing arts opportunities for residents and—as with all AIR projects—providing art instruction that would not otherwise be available.
Performing Arts Group
This program provides opportunities for teens and young adults with developmental disabilities to experience theater and music instruction as well as performance opportunities. The performing arts group will showcase its skills at an annual performance in May 2009.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
Art Training Awards
This program provides arts education funding and technical assistance of up to $500 to young artists with disabilities interested in seeking additional training or experience in their chosen disciplines. Art award winners are selected through a nomination and evaluation process conducted by VSA arts of Delaware.
AIR Artist Training Workshop
The primary goal of this program is to provide training opportunities for any VSA arts of Delaware residency teaching artist or arts educator who facilitates or is involved with affiliate programs. Trainings will focus on accessibility, art education, special populations, and VSA arts of Delaware processes regarding artist residencies.
Cultural Access and Inclusive Arts Services
Cultural Access Program
This is a multifaceted program designed to spark new involvement in the state of Delaware’s cultural access initiative. VSA arts of Delaware acts as a point of contact for other organizations that wish to develop a greater understanding of statewide cultural access initiatives and will expand online resources to provide information on cultural access and other related topics.
Public Awareness and Outreach
Gratia Artis: VSA arts of Delaware Newsletter
VSA arts of Delaware publishes a program-based newsletter twice a year. Gratia Artis includes information on programs, special events, disability advocacy, community arts opportunities, cultural access, and volunteer opportunities, and is distributed to recipients throughout the state.
www.VSADelaware.org
The VSA arts of Delaware Web site is an online resource for programs and access information. It is periodically updated and revised to reflect new program information and provide online access to VSA arts of Delaware program applications. The resource section of the site provides information on disability awareness and advocacy, as well as cultural access information.
Annual Art Exhibition: Celebration of Creativity (COC)
VSA arts of Delaware annually designs, develops, and coordinates a visual arts exhibition at a community arts center. The Celebration of Creativity art exhibition showcases works of art produced by various artist residency participants and art award winners. This program provides an opportunity for the work of program participants to be recognized and professionally displayed. This exhibition is open to the community and includes a performance component during the opening reception. Following its initial presentation in May, the COC exhibition travels throughout the state to other galleries and public spaces, including children’s hospitals and corporate offices.
Annual Art Exhibition: A View Through My Window
This exhibition of “window” paintings, created by survivors of domestic violence during a VSA arts of Delaware AIR project, depicts the artists’ messages, struggles, and survival stories. The exhibition travels throughout the state and will be on display at institutions of higher education, government buildings, advocacy centers, victim’s rights vigils, and local gallery spaces.
(F) 202-429-0868