VSA arts of Chicago, Illinois

Apparel Center 350 North Orleans Street, Suite 1191 Chicago, IL 60654	Ms. Amy J. Serpe Project Director
Tel: (312) 527-2620 TTY: (800) 526-0844 Fax: (312) 527-2609	serpeamy@aol.com

Organizational Profile:

Full-time Staff: 1
Part-time Staff:
Volunteer Hours:
Projected Total 2003
Income (including in-kind contributions):
Direct Participants:
Indirect Participants:
Total Congressional:
Districts Served:

VSA arts of Chicago has grown from a project of VSA arts into its own nonprofit organization. FY2003 is a year of transition for Chicago. VSA arts of Chicago has established relationships with state education, disability, advocacy, and arts organizations. Working with these organizations allows VSA arts of Chicago to better serve both children and adults with disabilities living in its service area of Cook, DuPage, McHenry, and Lake Counties in Illinois.

Programming Partners and Other Funders:

State of Illinois Department of Human Services, Office of Specialized Services for the Chicago Public Schools, the Council for Disability Rights Illinois Arts Council, the New Prospect Foundation, the Chicago Merchandise Mart and related disability organizations

State Programs

Arts & Access Exhibitions

In July 2000, VSA arts of Chicago instituted an annual exhibition in conjunction with the state of Illinois’ Department of Human Services to recognize the historic passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (ADA). Children and adults with all types of disabilities exhibit and sell their visual and literary artwork as the general public celebrates the artistic accomplishments of people with disabilities. Arts & Access 2003 will be held at the state of Illinois’ James R. Thompson Center from July 21 through August 1.

Start with the Arts

VSA arts of Chicago provides a training workshop for teachers and artists to familiarize them with VSA arts’ established Start with the Arts program curriculum. As funding permits, professional artists work directly in classrooms with teachers and students.

Disability Awareness Training

Promoting disability awareness and arts education, VSA arts of Chicago provides training seminars and awareness workshops for schools and other organizations, as well as individuals with and without disabilities. The programs focus on disability and arts-related topics, issues, and concerns and are structured to meet the diverse needs of the customer. Recipients of past trainings have included the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago Public Schools, and the Ella Library.

Express Diversity!

VSA arts of Chicago supports this national programming initiative by providing training workshops.

Artist Residencies

VSA arts of Chicago offers a variety of artist residency projects in many artistic disciplines‚ providing hundreds of people with diverse opportunities to reap the personal and social benefits of participation in the arts, while allowing artists to enhance their professional careers through artist-in-residency experiences. Professional artists, with and without disabilities, work on a per project basis for 6-12 weeks with children and adults in theater, music, dance, and visual arts activities. Residencies take place in schools, residential facilities, nursing homes, and other institutions and are tailored to meet the needs of the participants.

Performances, Festivals, and Exhibitions

VSA arts of Chicago sponsors a variety of "one-time programs," including live performances by professional theater companies and arts-based festivals and exhibits for people of all ages and abilities. Sponsorships occur as funding permits and VSA arts of Chicago often partners with other arts or disability-related organizations to provide quality experiences in the arts.