Join us at an All Access Pass tour to learn more about our work towards educational and cultural inclusion in the arts. We are hosting tours of VSA Massachusetts as a way to bring our mission to a wider audience. The tour takes no more than one hour. You'll hear a welcome from board and staff members and then take a guided tour of our work. We'll share some inspiring stories about how the arts transform our communities and create opportunities for inclusion.
Upcoming tour dates: Wednesday, January 16, 5:45pm Wednesday, February 13, 12:00pm Thursday, March 14, 5:45pm Tuesday, April 23, 12:00pm
89 South Street, Suite 101, Boston 02111
To reserve a spot and request ASL interpretation or other accommodations, call Kati Blair Kotrc at 617-350-7713 x101 or email kati@vsamass.org.
Posted Saturday December 29 2012 at 08:26 am
in Call For Artists
Since 1984, the VSA International Young Soloists Program has identified talented musicians, aged 14-25, who have a disability. The VSA International Young Soloists Competition annually selects up to four outstanding musicians from the United States and the international arena, and supports and encourages them in their pursuit of a career. These emerging musicians receive $2,500, professional development opportunities, and a performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Posted Thursday December 27 2012 at 11:25 am
in Education
While the iPad is promoted as a universally-designed tool, individuals with various disabilities often benefit from the added support of adaptations. This webinar will demonstrate over 30 ways an iPad can be adapted in five minutes or less using everyday materials.
Enter ancient Persia and be transformed by the power of storytelling – again! The Nora Theatre Company and Underground Railway Theater revive their award-winning production (2012 Independent Reviewers of New England Awards for Best Ensemble, Best Puppetry, Best Costumes, and Best Director) of Dominic Cooke’s Arabian Nights. Based on One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of folk tales from the Middle East and Asia, Arabian Nights is rich with suspense, romance and hilarity – stories irresistible for all ages. At its heart is the power of the imagination to heal, inspire, and transform.
Where: Central Square Theater When: Saturday, December 29 2011, 3pm How: Phone Martine at 617-576-9278 x 210. Mention you would like to purchase $25 ASL Tickets.
Posted Saturday December 22 2012 at 10:31 am
in Education
New York Times, 12/18/2012
Written by Patricia Cohen
Photo by Kirsten Luce
Stationed in front of one of his large self-portraits, the artist Chuck Close raised his customized wheelchair to balance on two wheels, seeming to defy the laws of gravity.
The chair’s unlikely gymnastics underlined the points that Mr. Close was making to his audience, 40 seventh and eighth graders from Bridgeport, Conn.: Break the rules and use limitations to your advantage.
The message had particular resonance for these students, and a few educators and parents, who had come by bus on Monday from Roosevelt School to the Pace Gallery in Chelsea for a private tour of Mr. Close’s show. Roosevelt, located in a community with high unemployment and crushing poverty, recently had one of the worst
records of any school in the state, with 80 percent of its seventh graders testing below grade level in reading and math.
Posted Saturday December 22 2012 at 08:07 am
in Education
Boston Globe, 12/20/2012
Written by Geoff Edgers/Globe Reporter
Photo by Josh Reynolds
The first time the students saw Adrian Anantawan play his violin, they were stunned. He had no right hand, and yet an attachment he called “the spatula” allowed him to play an arrangement of the Beatles song, “Yesterday.”
“I was astonished,” says Kelly Exilus, 11, a violist from Jamaica Plain and one of the students that spring day at the Conservatory Lab Charter School in Brighton. “I thought, ‘Wow.’ ”
Nobody at the school talks much these days about Anantawan’s right arm. They’re too busy practicing, while also learning a greater truth from their teacher: Music is the great equalizer.
Broadway and Beyond is a musical revue of song, dance, poetry and beyond . . . bringing us back from the future to the heyday of Broadway and celebrating the capabilities and talents of the people of Cape Cod, including those with disabilities. When two people come back from the year 2045 to the present to encounter Broadway as it used to be, anything can happen!
Obie Award-winning visionary director David Cromer brings his groundbreaking and critically acclaimed new version of the beloved, Pulitzer Prize-winning Our Town to the Huntington Theatre. In 1901 Grover's Corners, George and Emily fall in love, marry, and live out their lives as one New England town becomes a microcosm of everyday life. An Off Broadway smash playing for more than 600 performances, this wonderfully intimate staging marks the Huntington's first production in the Roberts Studio Theatre at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA.
An ASL Interpreted performance will take place January 4, 2013 at 8pm. Tickets are $15 for each Deaf or Hard of Hearing person and one guest. As this is a small theatre TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BY DECEMBER 21st! To purchase tickets, contact Meg Obrien at 617-273-1558 or mobrien@huntingtontheatre.bu.edu
Posted Sunday December 16 2012 at 11:00 am
in News
If you missed the December 11, 2012 free VSA webinar "Setting Up Success for Visual Artists", an archive is available until January 5, 2013. To access the recording:
1. Visit GoToMeeting. You will be prompted to enter your email address and contact information prior to viewing the webinar.
2. You must have Windows Media 9 or higher to view the recorded webinar.
3. You must install the GoToMeeting Codec, which can be found here.
4. You must have administrator rights on your PC to install the GoToMeeting Codec and view the recorded webinar in the GoToMeeting format.
The Institute for Human Centered Design will host an informal evening with Eli Wolff, Sara Hendren, and others sharing disability rights poetry, art and expression, and to join in a conversation about the place of creative expression in the disability rights movement.
Inspired by disability-rights poet and artist Neil Marcus, Eli Wolff has been writing poetry from the perspective of disability rights and advocacy for the last year. Eli will be reading "I am Light" and other poems from this experience.
Sara has been thinking a lot about adaptive and assistive technologies, prosthetics, and all the political and cultural ways we comprehend and represent disability. Among several projects, Sarah will discuss "The Accessible Icon Project" that provides supplies and services to transform the old International Symbol of Access into an active, engaged image.
When: December 19th at 7pm
Where: The Institute for Human Centered Design, 200 Portland Street, Boston
RSVP: wcrolius@ihcdesign.org or call 617-695-1225 x235
Wine, fruit and cheese, or hot chocolate will be provided!
We previously blogged about Hanover Theatre's Broadway Series and the commitment to provide ASL interpreters. "A Christmas Carol" has been added to the list of ASL interpreted plays. The performance takes place Friday, December 21, 2012 at 7pm.
Meet Me at the Coolidge...and Make Memories is a one-of-a-kind film experience, designed specifically for people with memory loss and their care partners. Short clips from classic films will be shown, followed by audience discussion and reminiscence, guided by a moderator.
Where: Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard Street, Brookline MA
When: Thursdays - December 13 2012, March 14 2013, June 20 2013 10am -12noon
This program demonstrates how film can be a form of treatment for people with memory loss, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The cinema has the power to connect us with our deep-rooted emotional memories - the kind that never leave us.
For tickets, more information, or to volunteer, send an e-mail to Dee Brenner at brenner@artzalz.org or call 978-985-4427.
Admission, Parking, and Refreshments are FREE but please RSVP with the number of seats requested.
Posted Thursday December 06 2012 at 05:14 am
in News
Boston Globe, 11/27/2012
Written by Karen Weintraub/Globe Correspondent
Photo by Essdras M Suarez/Globe Staff
DEDHAM — Carla shook a tambourine, while Dorothy played the xylophone and Leni tapped her palms gently on an African drum. Vivian declined an instrument, but shimmied her shoulders when the music moved her.
Their walkers stood ready and their voices were wispy with age, but the eight group members sang with purpose, remembering every word of the Doris Day classic without prompting.
“We were sailing along, on Moonlight Bay. We could hear the voices ringing . . .,” they sang.
When they had finished “love’s old sweet song” and given themselves a round of applause, Clara proclaimed the group “ready for Symphony Hall.”
Join the Museum of Science Saturday December 8 for a Community Partners Day. See the new traveling exhibit "Mammoths & Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age", and "Shipwreck! Pirates & Treasure". Registered guests will receive free exhibit hall admission for up to 4 people in total per reservation to view the exhibits up to 5PM when the Museum closes. ASL interpreters will be available to visit exhibits with guests from 10AM to 2PM.
Guests can pick up tickets at the Community Relations registration table in the Museum lobby on the morning of December 8 between 10am and 1pm.
For questions, please contact Maria Cabrera (mcabrera@mos.org, 617-589-0418) or James Boyd (jboyd@mos.org, 617-589-0315).
Join us for an evening of arts activities, holiday shopping, and refreshments at the Handmade Holiday Opening Reception, Thursday December 6 2012 4-7pm, Open Door Gallery, 89 South Street #101, Boston MA.
Posted Friday November 30 2012 at 12:58 am
in News
Watch a live webcast of violinist Niv Ashkenazi on the Kennedy Center Millennium stage December 3 2012 at 6pm. Ashkenazi is a 2007 VSA International Young Soloist Award recipient.
Looking for holiday gift ideas? Help welcome the Artists Beyond Challenges exhibit to the West Suburban YMCA. Come meet the artists and learn about this Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission group. Many kinds of artwork will be for sale. Refreshments will be provided.
Saturday, December 1 2012, 2-4pm
West Suburban YMCA
276 Church Street
Newton Center, MA 02458
Silent Rhythms has partnered with MetaMovements and Kerry Thompson (pictured above) to provide two ASL-interpreted workshops on Latin dancing. The workshops will be held December 1 and 8, 2012 at Blackstone Community Center, which is the building next to where Salsa in the Park Summer was held. After the workshops there will be a dance social so you can practice what you've learned or watch other folks dance.
Posted Tuesday November 27 2012 at 01:07 am
in News
We have a day for giving thanks. We have a day for retail bargains. We have a day for cyber deals. Wouldn’t it be great to have a day for giving back?
Now we do. Giving Tuesday is a campaign to create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season. It celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations.
Watch a screening of "Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi", a coming-of-age movie that explores the life of an exceptional teenager and his hilariously complex and neurotic family, at Temple Emeth in Chestnut Hill MA, December 1, 2012 at 7:30 pm.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 6:00 pm
American Sign Language Tour with no spoken English for students of ASL and Deaf Studies
To participate, ask for a ticket from any cashier at any entrance. The MFA is free after 4:00 pm on Wednesdays. Meet the ASL Guide at 5:50 pm at the Sharf Visitor Center. Participation will be limited to comply with the Museum’s guidelines for the size of groups in galleries. This tour will be repeated on Wednesday, January 16, at 6:00 pm.
Sunday, December 9, 2012 Noon – 3:00 pm
ASL Interpreted Artist Demonstration – John Shulz, Printmaker
Free with Museum admission.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013 6:00 pm
American Sign Language Tour with no spoken English for students of ASL and Deaf Studies
To participate, ask for a ticket from any cashier at any entrance. The MFA is free after 4:00 pm on Wednesdays. Meet the ASL Guide at 5:50 pm at the Sharf Visitor Center. Participation will be limited to comply with the Museum's guidelines for the size of groups in galleries.
Monday, January 21, 2013 10:00 am – 4:45 pm
Events in American Sign Language with no spoken English and ASL interpreted events during the MFA’s Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Open House
Admission is free for everyone. Visit www.mfa.org for the complete schedule.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 10:00 am – 4:45 pm
ASL interpreted Family Programs including tours, storytelling and other events during February School Vacation Week
Free with Museum Admission. Children 17 and under are admitted free when school is not in session. Visit www.mfa.org for the complete schedule.
Cultural Access New England will present a free workshop "Making Your Theatre More Welcoming to People with Disabilities" at 9:30 am - noon December 6, 2012 at the Wheelock Family Theatre.
During a concert, the conductor complains about a patron's oxygen tank making too much noise. How does the production manager respond?
At a show, a patron is concerned the ASL interpreters will be disruptive to their experience. What does the box office attendant say?
While being seated, a patron is concerned about the service dog that is used by the adjacent patron. What is the usher to do?
How do we understand the culture of expectations regarding patronage at a performance venue when making our venues accessible to all members of our society?
Learn more about this free workshop opportunity at the CANE website.
Come and do your holiday shopping at the state's alternative craft and art market. Handmade Holiday features weaving, printmaking, jewelry, felting, cards, painting, and other gifts by local crafters and artists.
November 16, 2012 - January 4, 2013.
Opening Reception - December 6, 2012, 4 pm to 7 pm.
Posted Monday November 12 2012 at 11:22 am
in News
Lesley University is teaming with the Boston Arts Consortium for Health, the International Association for Music and Medicine, the Longwood Symphony Orchestra, Harvard Medical School, Berklee College of Music, and the New England Conservatory to put on its 3rd annual conference dedicated to the arts and health. Friday - Saturday, November 30 - December 1, 2012.
This year, the conference will focus on how space can be transformed through music, dance, drama and visual art and design to support mental, emotional and physical health. Leaders in the field, including VSA MA Executive Director Charles Washburn, will share the work they've done both nationally and internationally.
Posted Saturday November 10 2012 at 5:54 pm
in Education
The Kennedy Center put together an annotated bibliography of websites related to arts and special education. Anyone is free to view, download, or print the Microsoft Word document from Google Docs. No account or log-in is required.
Previously we blogged about the Museum of Fine Art's ASL tours held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. The MFA has other noteworthy tours that you might be interested in.
Posted Monday November 05 2012 at 10:05 pm
in Education
Each year, The Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Awards solicits nominations from the general public and notable public figures, providing the opportunity to submit stories about teachers and professors who made a significant difference in their lives.
On March 22 2013, Stephen Sondheim's birthday, a select number of these teachers will each receive $10,000 in appreciation for their contributions to the field of teaching. Awardees will also be showcased, along with the people they inspired, on The Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Awards web site.
Application deadline is Sunday, December 16, 2012. Eligibility requirements and all other details are available on the awards web site.
We blogged about "Bob the Show" previously but wanted to point out a newly scheduled, local performance at the Cardinal Cushing Center in Hanover MA, Thursday, November 8 2012 at 3pm. Free for Health Care Providers.
Posted Tuesday October 30 2012 at 8:36 pm
in Education
Free webinars have been scheduled by the Office of VSA & Accessibility, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. All are welcome.
The State of Arts and Aging
Tuesday, November 13 2012, 3-4:30 PM EDT
Presenter: Dr. Gay Hanna, Executive Director of the National Center for Creative Aging
Registration: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/989428254
Strategies for Supporting Visual Artists
Tuesday, December 11 2012, 3-4:30 PM EDT
Presenter: Sonja Cendak, Artist Services Assistant Manager, Office of VSA & Accessibility, Kennedy Center
Registration: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/350028518
Setting Up Success for Performing Artists
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 3-4 PM EDT
Presenter: Liz Miller, arts consultant and former VSA Artist Services Manager at The Kennedy Center
Registration: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/392131590
Real-time captioning will be available at http://www.streamtext.net/player?event=JFKCENTER during the Webinar presentation.
DCN: Hi, glad you could join us for this interview.
Please tell us about who you are, where you went to
school all your life, and how did you get to where you
are now?
BK: I was born to hearing parents and have a younger
Deaf brother. I attended the Boston School for the
Deaf from the time I was 4 years old in 1964, and
stayed until 1972. In 6th grade I was mainstreamed at
a private school for girls, Brimmer and May, which is
located in Chestnut Hill, and was their first Deaf
student. I excelled in sports and went on to graduate
in 1979. After high school I went to the University of
New Hampshire (UNH) and majored in Food Service
Management. In 1981, I moved out to LA and worked
for Lorimar Productions as a Research Associate for
several years. We studio was known for its TV shows
such as "Dallas", "The Waltons", "Falcon Crest", "Perfect Strangers", "Little House on the Prairie", etc., and other TV mini series.
Posted Wednesday October 24 2012 at 11:10 pm
in Education
"Educating Diverse Minds: Using Individual Brain Differences to Teach and Reach All Learners" November 16 - 18, 2012 Discount Registration Deadline November 2
Join a special free evening of fun at the Discovery Museums in Acton, MA for deaf and hard of hearing children between the ages of 2-14, their siblings, parents, grandparents, and other family members. Saturday November 3, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Pizza and beverages will be served.
Posted Friday October 19 2012 at 5:56 pm
in Education
New England Consortium of Artist-Educator Professionals (NECAP) and its local partners, the Rhode Island Foundation and Lesley University are convening gatherings with Nick Rabkin, Principal Investigator, Teaching Artist Research Project, NORC at University of Chicago. Nick will review and discuss the policy implications of his study, the Teaching Artist Research Project (TARP). Boston and Providence are two of the twelve TARP study sites.
Join the dialogue!
November 8 2012, 4-6pm, Rhode Island Foundation, Providence RI
November 9 2012, 2-4pm, Lesley University, Cambridge MA
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents James Durbin Monday, August 27th at 6pm. Watch a live webcast of this Millennium Stage performance.
The singer and guitarist, widely known for his fourth place finish on the 10th season of American Idol, rocks the stage with his heavy rock sound and powerhouse vocals. Since then, James Durbin, 22, released his Wind-Up Records debut album, Memories of a Beautiful Disaster, which is an intricate lattice of all factions and facets of rock. Mr. Durbin, who lives with Asperger's Syndrome and Tourette's Syndrome, co-wrote five of the 11 songs. He has been afforded opportunities to work with his favorite band, Swedish cult heroes Hardcore Superstar, and with legendary Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars on his album’s song, "Outcast". Mr. Durbin recently toured at several venues across California and Arizona.
