VSA 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: 4 |
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VSA 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 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; Rahr-West Art Museum; Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin; Olbrich Botanical Gardens; Central Wisconsin Cultural Center; Wisconsin Dept. of Children and Families; Beloit Head Start; Wausau School District; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum; Monona Terrace Convention Center; Center for Photography at Madison; Art Links Adaptive Community Approach Program; George Kress Foundation; Norman Bassett Foundation; American Girl; Burmester Charitable Trust; Porcupine Foundation; SubZero Foundation; Clyde Schleuter Foundation; Madison Arts Commission; Wahlin Foundation; WPS Health Insurance; Clack Corporation; Wausau Insurance; American Family Insurance; Advertisers Press; Thermo Fisher Scientific; Courtier Foundation; Penfield Children’s Center; St. Francis Children’s Center; Ethan Allen School; Bayview International Center for Education and Arts; Milwaukee Area Technical College; Madison Metropolitan School District; Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission; Pleasant Rowland Foundation; Milwaukee School District; Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation; Kayser Automotive Group; Midwest Airlines
Educational Programs and Artist Residencies
Artist Residencies
In 2010, VSA Wisconsin professional teaching artists will conduct 50 residencies throughout the state. At early learning centers, artists will integrate purposeful arts activities that support key learning experiences in children, ages two to six. The 10-week programs will use music, movement, visual art and drama to promote language development, early literacy skills and social competence. Activities and outcomes will address the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards. Residencies conducted at K-12 schools vary from 8 to 30 hours and will engage students in hands-on art activities that offer in-depth exploration and experimentation in the specified discipline. Students will learn specific art techniques and skills and further develop their abilities for self-expression by participating in individual and group activities. Measurable outcomes will be aligned with the State of Wisconsin Educational Learning Standards. Residencies will be conducted in the following school districts: Milwaukee, Sun Prairie, Stevens Point, Sheboygan, Muskego, Brookfield, Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau, and Madison. Also participating is Ethan Allen School in Wales, a learning center within the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
Residencies for adults will be conducted in collaboration with human service organizations such as Bayview International Center for Education in the Arts, Mitchell Manor, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, and Easter Seals. Participants will explore the arts in noncompetitive environments that encourage artistic growth and self-expression. Participants’ cognitive, social, and artistic skills will be strengthened as a result of their participation in the residency activities.
Choirs
VSA Wisconsin will conduct 11 choir programs in communities throughout the state in 2010. Adults with and without disabilities will participate in ongoing music activities that promote individual and group strengths and talents. Each choir will be directed by a professional music therapist or educator who uses adaptive techniques to support the participation and skill development of all choir members. Most choirs will give at least two public performances this year.
VSA Art Center
In 2010, 44 programs will be conducted at the VSA Art Center in Madison. Professional teaching artists will establish a supportive atmosphere and use adaptive techniques to ensure success by all participants. Programs will be offered to adults ages 16 and above. Classes include, but are not limited to:
- Arts Explorations Classes, which focus on creative expression, social interactions/mixing and personal enjoyment;
- 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
ArtSparks workshops 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 “Summer Dreams” ArtSpark which will be conducted at the Marian Center for Nonprofits in Milwaukee. This interactive, outdoor program involving school-age children, adults, and seniors is projected for June 2010. Various art disciplines will be explored by more than 75 participants with and without disabilities. Two ArtSparks workshops will be conducted in partnership with Milwaukee Area Technical College. Students enrolled in the school’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program will design and co-facilitate two art making workshops with support and assistance from MATC professors and VSA Wisconsin staff.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
Professional Development for Teaching Artists
VSA Wisconsin will conduct training workshops for up to 10 early childhood teaching artists and 11 choir directors from across the state. Topics include disability sensitivity and awareness, strategies for inclusive programming, Universal Design for learning and developmentally appropriate programming.
Professional Conferences and Presentations
VSA Wisconsin staff and teaching artists will present interactive drama workshops for educators at the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association Conference in Wisconsin Dells and the Launching into Literacy Conference hosted by the Madison Metropolitan School District. Educators will learn how to use creative play and drama activities to improve literacy and communication.
Cultural Access and Inclusive Arts Services
Accessibility Guidelines and Workshops
Cultural access and inclusive services will be incorporated into many VSA Wisconsin program initiatives. For example, exhibition accessibility guidelines, information about Universal Design and People First Language will be distributed to exhibition venues across the state. In addition, VSA Wisconsin will collaborate with the Wisconsin Arts Board to develop workshops on accessibility and inclusion which will be offered to arts organizations and cultural venues throughout the state in fall 2010.
Public Awareness and Outreach
Traveling Exhibitions
VSA Wisconsin’s traveling exhibitions will showcase the artistic talents of children and adults with disabilities. The statewide call for art is expected to generate up to 300 submissions. Each submitting artist will have one work presented at the Call for Art exhibition in Madison. Award recipients will be honored at a celebration, and their artwork will become part of the traveling exhibitions which will be presented in selected cities throughout the state.
Staff will also conduct tours of VSA Wisconsin’s traveling exhibitions for students, educators, and the public at two venues: Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Art Links, Adaptive Community Approach Program in Waukesha. 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.
Newsletter
This quarterly publication will provide program updates and information about the organization to participants, educators, volunteers, sponsors, civic leaders, and legislators.
Web site
VSA Wisconsin’s Web site (www.vsawis.org) will feature information about participants and programs. The site will also highlight works of art included in the traveling exhibitions. Downloadable application materials and registration forms are available as is a process for online giving.
(F) 202-429-0868