Posted Tuesday January 26 2016 at 10:42 pm
A free webinar at 3pm February 3, 2016 to introduce the white paper from the Summit on Creativity and Aging in America, which was hosted by the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Center for Creative Aging in May 2015. The summit brought together more than 70 experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the fields of healthy aging, lifelong learning in the arts, and design for aging communities. The summit was a precursor to the 2015 White House Conference on Aging, which was part of a series of public forums, culminating in a White House event that addressed four major issues: retirement security, long-term services and supports, healthy aging, and elder abuse. The webinar will cover the main findings from the summit, including opportunities for developing vibrant, healthy communities and services for older adults, as we look toward an unprecedented shift in our population in the coming years. Speakers will include NEA Accessibility Director Beth Bienvenu, NCCA Executive Director Gay Hanna, and 2015 White House Conference on Aging Director Nora Super.
You can listen to the webinar using your computer speakers or dial-in to 877-685-5350, participant code: 739587. A presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
Register for the Webinar
Posted Wednesday December 09 2015 at 06:29 am
WNET New York recently interviewed former Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith who founded Very Special Arts, now known as VSA, four decades ago to bring the visual, literary and performing arts to those with disabilities. Kennedy Smith said she launched the initiative to help foster learning in special education classrooms.
"It develops children in a special way: That they love to go to museums, that they love to try different things, that they become more creative, that they're not just leaning things by rote, but they're doing it because they enjoy it," she told MetroFocus Host Rafael Pi Roman.
Kennedy Smith, who served as U.S. ambassador to Ireland, received the Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama for her work with VSA.
Despite the success of VSA, David Marquis, the executive director of the VSA affiliate in New York City says it's still a struggle to convince people of the significant role the arts play in a child's life and education. "I think people don't realize the academic connection of growing a child's mind through the arts," he said.
Posted Monday November 30 2015 at 4:23 pm
December 1, 2015 is Giving Tuesday. That means, it's a great day to support VSA Massachusetts as we promote the involvement of people of all abilities in the cultural life of our communities through our COOL Schools, Open Door Gallery, and Cultural Inclusion programs.
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season to celebrate and encourage charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations. So as you embark on this special time of giving, please consider sustaining this important work with a monthly contribution of $10 or more. Give online today to support children and adults with disabilities through the arts!
