COOL Schools
- 2,494 students in 19 schools learn in and through the arts with 20 teaching artists
- 142 teachers learn inclusive, arts-integrated strategies both through coaching in the classroom and workshops
Open Door Gallery
- 35 artists exhibit their work annually
- Receptions and events attended by 1,500 people
- Open to public Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, for opening receptions, and as privately scheduled
Cultural Inclusion
- 12 organizations receive support to develop inclusive programs
- 10 individuals with disabilities receive support to advance their careers in the arts
History
VSA Massachusetts became an Affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation in November 2014 with the intent of making the arts accessible to a broader audience. VSA Massachusetts is also part of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts international affiliate network of VSA organizations serving 35 states and over 50 other countries. Originally known as the National Committee Arts for the Handicapped and formerly named Very Special Arts, VSA arts changed its name in 1999, eliminating the use of the word "special" to honor the progress made by members of the disability community since the organization's inception. The letters VSA now reflect the Vision of an inclusive community, Strength in shared resources and Artistic expression that unite us all.
Location
Parking
Parking downtown can be both challenging and expensive, and we recommend taking public transit whenever possible. However, there are several parking lots within walking distance: