VSA Washington, DC
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1100 16th Street NW |
Richard Offner |
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Tel.: (202) 296-9100, x217 |
Website: |
Organizational Profile:
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Full-time Staff: 44 |
For more than 27 years, VSA Washington, DC has served Washington, D.C.-area children and young people with special needs, special talents, and special skills. Employing the arts as an innovative method of education, VSA Washington, DC provides the tools for success in school, in adulthood, and in life.
Programming Partners and Other Funders:
American University; Childrens National Medical Center; Corcoran; CVS; D.C. Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation; D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities; District of Columbia Public Schools; Easter Seals; iGive.com; Office of State Superintendent of Education; Orrick; U.S. Department of Education; U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Educational Programs and Artist Residencies
ARTiculate Employment Training Program
The ARTiculate Employment Training Program provides employment and vocational training for youth ages 14–25 in a studio and technology setting. The program is a model for vocational and life skills training for students transitioning from school to work.
Through an arts-based training format, ARTiculate artist apprentices work a minimum of six hours per week in fully functional studios. The thrust of the ARTiculate program is to provide participants with experience in three discrete skill areas: 1) applied and fine arts, 2) graphics and technology, and 3) social skills and career readiness training.
WVSA ARTs connection School for Arts In Learning (SAIL) Public Charter School (PCS)
WVSA SAIL is a DC public charter school serving students in grades K - 8th. SAIL’s mission is to address the needs of students with learning differences by providing creative learning environments using an arts-infused curriculum. SAIL’s unique instructional approach helps children learn in ways that match their individual learning styles and specific needs, with a focus on developing the whole child: intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially. SAIL applies research-proven interventions to target specific areas where students are struggling and closely monitors student performance to ensure academic success.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
School for Arts in Learning (SAIL) ArtsWork!
VSA Washington, DC and SAIL PCS continue to focus on a new U.S. Department of Education three-year funded initiative to integrate arts education standards into the SAIL curriculum and provide graduate-level courses for school staff in arts education related instructional technology tools. The professional development component includes ongoing training on hardware and software for classroom use. This year, VSA Washington, DC is partnering with American University to provide additional programmatic support.
Public Awareness and Outreach
ARTiculate Gallery
The ARTiculate Gallery offers bimonthly exhibitions of artwork from participants in the ARTiculate Employment Training Program and, since last year, work by SAIL student artists. This space is a public gallery open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Approximately every eight weeks, the gallery hosts a Thursday night exhibition opening reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. In addition, every third Thursday of the month, a diverse array of programming will take place in the gallery, ranging from external artist exhibitions, demonstrations and workshops, to film screenings and showcases.
(F) 202-429-0868