VSA arts of Ohio
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Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts |
Jarrod Hartzler Erin Hoppe |
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Tel.: (614) 241-5325 |
Website: |
Organizational Profile:
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Full-time Staff: 2 |
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VSA arts of Ohio works to empower people with disabilities, creatively and inclusively, through the arts. Since 1986, VSA arts of Ohio has provided unique opportunities for artists with diverse abilities to share their creativity through teaching partnerships in schools and juried exhibitions and awards programs. Additionally, activities reach out to enhance the lives of all Ohioans through arts integration, disability awareness, accessibility, and advocacy.
Programming Partners and Other Funders:
Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children; Ohio Arts Council; Ohio Citizens for the Arts; Ohio Alliance for Arts Education; Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council; Phoenix Theatre for Children; KeyBank Foundation; Target; Blue Shoe Arts; MATCO; Goodwill Columbus; The Ability Center of Greater Toledo; and more than 50 other social service agencies, schools, recreation centers, camps, galleries, and other activity sites in the state.
Educational Programs and Artist Residencies
Adaptation, Integration, and the Arts (AIA)
VSA arts of Ohio developed this program to partner teaching artists and educators in inclusive classrooms with the goal of enhancing teaching and learning through an arts integrated curriculum. Teaching artists and classroom teachers work together to develop residency plans that incorporate an art form into the existing subject area curriculum and aligns with content standards in both the arts and the other academic content area.
The following outcomes have been identified for the program: students with disabilities will demonstrate increased participation and learning when arts activities are integrated into the curriculum; a positive and affirming environment for self-expression among students with and without disabilities will be created; students strengthen and increase their knowledge and skills in the arts; classroom teachers will demonstrate use of arts integration in teaching; teaching artists increase their understanding of integration among the arts and other academic areas; and VSA arts of Ohio will serve its mission. Teaching artist residencies will take place at nine sites throughout Ohio in 2009.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
Accessible Expressions Ohio
Accessible Expressions Ohio is a statewide juried touring art exhibition, adding to the richness of cultural diversity throughout Ohio. Artwork is exhibited at the opening reception and ceremony and a second adjudication is conducted to determine the first-, second-, and third-place winners in each category, as well as recipient of the Best in Show award. Following the opening ceremony, the artwork is divided into tours and travels around Ohio. Sales of artwork are encouraged at the opening reception as well as each tour site.
Careers in the Arts
The Careers in the Arts program began after the 2005 Careers in the Arts forum sponsored by VSA arts of Ohio, the Ohio Arts Council, The National Arts and Disability Center at UCLA, the National Endowment for the Arts, and VSA arts. During the 2008–2009 year VSA arts of Ohio is providing a series of regional workshops designed to help artists better understand marketing, benefit coordination, advocacy and many other components essential to pursuing and building a creative career. These workshops will be provided in partnership with the Ohio Arts Council with support from the Ohio Development Disabilities Council. In addition to the regional workshops, presentations will be made during conferences and professional development sessions, and are designed to encourage service providers, arts organizations, and artists to promote self-sufficiency and provide opportunities for artists of all abilities to pursue a career in the arts.
Artists Training and Information Center (ATIC)
The Artist Technology and Information Center (ATIC) is a dedicated computer station available for use by artists with disabilities to learn to use technology, create Web sites, research opportunities, complete online grant applications, or simply update a resume or cover letter. One-to-one coaching with an artist services coordinator is available.
Cultural Access and Inclusive Arts Services
Phoenix Partnership
Along with the Phoenix Theatre for Children, VSA arts of Ohio makes it possible for students from the Ohio State School for the Blind and the Ohio School for the Deaf to attend live theater performances. Shows are accessible through the inclusion of American Sign Language or audio description as well as interaction with the actors during and after the performance.
Public Awareness and Outreach
Service Division Network and Festivals
Since VSA arts of Ohio’s inception, committees throughout the state have presented festivals, summer camps and other local activities for persons with and without disabilities in their regions. Along the way, some of the Service Division programs have become stronger, more inclusive, and more visible. It is the hope of the VSA arts of Ohio executive directors and board to expand the network of service divisions to create a broader regional presence for VSA arts of Ohio. service divisions networks for Fiscal Year 2009 include the Cleveland area, Lake Metroparks, Stark County, Toledo, Wayne Center, and Western Reserve.
Web Site
VSA arts of Ohio’s Web site, www.vsao.org, features artwork by Ohio artists, announcements for workshops and exhibitions for artist participation, information about VSA arts of Ohio programs and activities, and links to other arts organizations in the state and nationwide.
VSAO Voice Newsletter
VSA arts of Ohio publishes a newsletter, VSA arts of Ohio Voice, three times a year. The VSA arts of Ohio Voice features updates on VSA arts of Ohio programming and opportunities for artists.
Conference Presentations
VSA arts of Ohio presents and displays information at conferences and other events including the Brain Injury Association of Ohio Conference, the Ohio Advocates for Mental Health Conference, and convenings of the Ohio Arts Education Association and the Ohio Music Educators Association, among others, in order to raise awareness and make valuable connections for and among our constituents.
Young Soloists
Every year, VSA arts of Ohio selects three musical artists under the age of 25 as its Young Soloists of the year. The Young Soloists demonstrate outstanding talent in vocal or instrumental music. The Young Soloists are selected through a juried process in late December of each year. Candidates are eligible to submit entries any time after September 1 of the current year. Jurors review the soloists’ recordings to select the winners, who receive cash prizes and the opportunity to perform for a live audience in the spring of each year. Additionally, all applicants will be forwarded for entry to the International Young Soloists Award program sponsored by VSA arts.
(F) 202-429-0868