Programming Area II:
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
VSA Artists Community
VSA arts of California realizes that being an artist is a challenging way for a disabled person to become economically sufficient. Therefore the VSAarts of California Artists Community was established to provide opportunities for California artists to exhibit or present their art; to share with other artists information about themselves, their art, and available disability resources; and to be a resource of artistic talent that can be utilized by galleries, museums, arts organizations, and other programs throughout the state of California. The VSA Artists Community creates opportunities for artists with disabilities to network, gain knowledge, and advocate for any and all changes that allow artists with disabilities to forge their own artistic contributions and abilities. Through the Community, VSAarts of California will work to enhance employment and exposure to and for artists with disabilities—providing information, advocacy, and support.
Open Eyes… Open Hearts
The program serves disabled youth by building awareness and acceptance of children with disabilities within the schools and community. VSA provides teachers, artists, and program coordinators with ideas on how to utilize the Arts to reach the whole child, the whole class, the whole community in a positive, self-esteem-building manner. As a result of this program participants learn to perceive children with disabilities in terms of both their strengths and their weaknesses; develop a "can do" attitude toward working with special children; assist non-disabled children in understanding, approaching, and interacting with children with disabilities; minimize fear and negative reactions regarding teaching, serving children with special needs.
