VSA arts of Wisconsin
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4785 Hayes Road, #201 |
Kathie Wagner |
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Tel.: (608) 241-2131 |
Website: |
Organizational Profile:
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Full-time Staff: 5 |
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VSA arts of Wisconsin expands the capabilities, confidence, and quality of life for children and adults with disabilities by providing programs in dance, drama, creative writing, music, and visual art. The mission is achieved through dynamic statewide initiatives, including extensive educational programming, professional development opportunities, and public awareness and outreach efforts.
Programming Partners and Other Funders:
University of Wisconsin–Madison; Marquette University; Wisconsin Arts Board; Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction; DeAtley Foundation; Wahlin Foundation; WPS Health Insurance; Clack Corporation; Wausau Insurance; American Family Insurance; Advertisers Press; Thermo Fisher Scientific; Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin; Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors; Courtier Foundation; Target; Oshkosh Area Community Foundation; Penfield Children’s Center; St. Peter’s Head Start; St. Francis Children’s Center; Renaissance School for the Arts; Waupaca Library; Ethan Allen School; Easter Seals Kindcare; Bayview International Center for Education and Arts; United Cerebral Palsy; River Arts Center; Milwaukee Area Technical College; Milwaukee Center for Independence; Madison Metropolitan School District; Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission; Pleasant Rowland Foundation; Milwaukee School District; Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation; Churny Company; Kayser Automotive Group; Midwest Airlines; Culvers VIP Foundation; Insty-Prints
Educational Programs and Artist Residencies
Artist Residencies
In 2009, VSA arts of Wisconsin professional teaching artists will conduct 57 residencies throughout the state. At early learning centers, artists will integrate purposeful arts activities that support key learning experiences in children (2–6 years) with and without disabilities. The 10-week residency programs use music, movement, visual art and drama to promote language development and early literacy. Activities and outcomes address the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards. Residencies conducted at schools vary from 8 to 30 hours and engage students of all abilities in hands-on art activities that offer in-depth exploration and experimentation in the specified art medium. Students learn specific art techniques and skills, further developing their abilities for self-expression by participating in individual and group activities. Measurable outcomes are aligned with the State of Wisconsin Educational Learning Standards. Milwaukee, Appleton, Stratford, Waupaca, Wausau, and Madison are among the school districts participating in this effort.
Ethan Allen School, within the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, is also participating. Residencies for adults will be conducted in collaboration with human service organizations such as Bayview Community Center, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, The Gathering Place, and Easter Seals. Participants explore the arts in noncompetitive environments that encourage creative exploration and self-expression. All residencies are designed to strengthen participants’ cognitive, social, and artistic skills.
Choirs
VSA arts of Wisconsin will conduct 11 choir programs in communities throughout the state in 2009. In this program, adults with and without disabilities participate in ongoing music activities that focus on individual and group strengths and talents. Each choir is directed by a professional music therapist or educator who uses adaptive teaching techniques to support the participation and skill development of all choir members. Most choirs will give multiple public performances this year.
VSA Art Center
In 2009, 75 programs will be conducted at the VSA arts Art Center in Madison. Professional teaching artists will establish a supportive atmosphere and use adaptive techniques to ensure success by all participants. Programs are open to adults ages 16 and above. They include, but are not limited to:
- Arts Explorations Classes, which focus on creative expression, social interactions/mixing and personal enjoyment;
- Arts Fundamentals Classes, which cover core principles and techniques in art mediums with a focus on building skills and progressive artistic development;
- Open Doors Studio, a self-directed program in two-dimensional media which focuses on creative development and expression as well as exhibition and sales opportunities; and
- ArtSparks Workshops, which focus on creative expression, social interactions/mixing, and personal enjoyment.
ArtSparks Workshops and Classes
ArtSparks are one-day art sessions that engage participants in exploring one or more art disciplines. ArtSparks involve interactive, hands-on activities and are typically one-and-a-half or three hours in length. An example is the ArtSpark Festival to be conducted at the Marian Center for Nonprofits in Milwaukee. This interactive, outdoor program involving school-age children, adults, and seniors was implemented in June 2008. Various art disciplines will be explored by more than 75 participants with and without disabilities. Classes meet weekly and are exploratory in nature with a focus on creative expression, skill development, social interactions/mixing, and personal enjoyment. Classes are hosted at Marian Center for Nonprofits in Milwaukee (5 classes) and Lake County Fine Arts School and Gallery in Hartland (2 classes). A Book Arts class, hosted at the Marian Center for Nonprofits, will include a partnership with Milwaukee Area Technical College. Students enrolled in the school’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program will design and cofacilitate one class session with support and assistance from MATC professors and VSA arts of Wisconsin staff.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
Professional Development for Teaching Artists
VSA arts of Wisconsin will conduct training workshops for up to 30 teaching artists from across the state. Topics include disability sensitivity and awareness, strategies for inclusive programming, developmentally appropriate programming, as well as collaboration and communication.
Professional Conferences and Presentations
VSA arts of Wisconsin staff and teaching artists will present an interactive workshop session for K–12 art educators at the Wisconsin Art Education Association and Wisconsin Early Childhood Association Conference. Adaptive and inclusive arts techniques and opportunities for individuals of all abilities will be explored, focusing on visual art and creative movement activities.
In February 2009, Jon Wos, an internationally recognized VSA arts of Wisconsin teaching artist, presented the benefits of arts programming for students with disabilities to secondary art instructors from the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD). In April and May 2009, staff will present two workshops on the use of adaptive tools and techniques that can be used to promote the inclusion of students with and without disabilities in visual arts and music programming. Elementary school art and music educators from MMSD will attend.
Cultural Access and Inclusive Arts Services
Cultural access is found within the context of many VSA arts of Wisconsin program initiatives. For example, Universal Design brochures are distributed to exhibition venues across the state and VSA arts of Wisconsin staff will present tours of VSA arts’ traveling exhibits to students, educators, and the public at two venues: River Arts Center in Prairie du Sac and Waupaca Public Library. Tour attendees will learn about Wisconsin artists with disabilities featured in the exhibition, discuss common themes, and gain an increased awareness of the abilities of people with disabilities. VSA arts of Wisconsin staff will discuss Universal Design and programmatic accessibility issues and strategies with the Wisconsin Arts Board staff to help ensure accessible exhibitions in their gallery.
Public Awareness and Outreach
Children’s and Adult Art Exhibitions
VSA arts of Wisconsin children’s and adult art exhibitions showcase the artistic talents of individuals with disabilities. An annual statewide call for art typically generates up to 300 submissions. Each submitting artist will have one work of art presented at the Call for Art exhibition in Madison. Award recipients are honored at a celebration, and their artwork becomes part of VSA arts’ traveling exhibition that is displayed in selected cities throughout the state.
Newsletter
This quarterly publication provides program updates and information about the organization to participants, educators, volunteers, sponsors, civic leaders, and legislators.
Web site
VSA arts of Wisconsin’s Web site (www.vsawis.org) features information about programs and downloadable application materials and registration forms. The site also highlights works of art included in the traveling art exhibitions.
(F) 202-429-0868