Posted Sunday March 06 2016 at 3:19 pm
From the National Endowment for the Arts design staff.
You are invited to participate in something new and important from the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Center for Cultural Innovation.
INTRODUCING CREATIVZ.US
It's a conversation about what artists and designers in the United States need to sustain and strengthen their careers. As part of the NEA's 50th anniversary initiative -- Creativity Connects -- the research project highlights how the arts contribute to the nation's creative ecosystem. CREATIVZ.US is being managed by our partner, the Center for Cultural Innovation, and supported by the Surdna and Doris Duke Charitable Foundations.
Over the next few months CREATIVZ will publish a series of essays by a variety of artists, designers and arts thinkers. You'll see a few there now.
We want to include your voice! What we've launched is not a summary of research findings, but rather an integral part of the research process itself. Our goal is to hear from as many artists, designers, and support providers as possible. A report will be published and available June, 2016.
Here's how you can help. Please share and join the conversation. You can add comments to any of the essays on the web site or use your favorite social app to say something. If you use social media, please use the hashtag #creativz so we see it.
You can also share or follow CREATIVZ on Facebook and Twitter - @creativzus.
We really want to hear from you and hope you'll be inspired to add your voice.
Posted Tuesday March 01 2016 at 10:14 pm
By Sandy Alissa Novack. Published in Spaulding Rehabilitation Network's "Disability Issues".
Anna Connors was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2006. It affects her walking and balance, which can make dancing tricky, she says. For the past six years, she has been learning belly dancing and performing with the Silver Moon Gypsies at local senior centers and other venues.
Sandy Alissa Novack (SN): Do you notice any change in your mobility function and in the quality of life that is attributed to dance?
Anna Connors (AC): Absolutely! The fun quotient! Just the pure joy of dance is incredible. Generally, belly dancing's slower fluid motion is much more suitable for my condition.
SN: What is your philosophy about exercise and movement?
AC: Gypsy and I say the same thing, Use it or lose it, and keep moving! As far as dancing, or anything else I do since being diagnosed with MS, my philosophy is to be flexible - not only body-wise but also on how I approach doing something. I may not be able to do something the way I used to, so try to adapt. There is always another way to take on a task, so I am creative. Gypsy always allows me to adapt moves in our dances. One of the dancers in our performing troupe is 82 years old. She can't do fast spins and quick steps either, so we kind of pair up together and adapt those steps to work for us. It really comes together and adds some visual interest. We can ALL adapt.
Read More →
Posted Friday February 19 2016 at 6:05 pm
Posted by Charlie Washburn
Nicole Agois Hurel was honored recently at the Seven Hills Foundation Winter Wonder Fest as VSA Massachusetts' Employee of the Year. There were many reasons to choose Nicole which includes:
To recognize her accomplishment as a musician and teaching artist, and her contribution to understanding that by teaching through the arts we can create opportunities for people of all abilities to learn together.
To celebrate her contributions to the International VSA Affiliate Network, and acknowledge her 11 years of service, and to appreciate her commitment to VSA Massachusetts and to making our recent affiliation with Seven Hills Foundation successful for both organizations and the people we serve.
Congratulations on a richly deserved honor and thank you for the great work Nicole.
VP and COO Charlie Washburn
