Posted Sunday August 04 2013 at 11:20 pm
The following is reprinted from a July 25, 2013 Boston Photography Focus blog post written by VSA's own Kati Blair Kotrc. View the original post.
Inclusion is an imperative for the health of all cultural organizations. Not only do the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal and state regulations legally mandate including people with disabilities, it also makes good business sense. 11% of the population in Massachusetts are people with disabilities, 13% are over 65 and experiencing the loss of vision, hearing and mobility associated with aging. Add to that the family and friends that they travel with and you have a sizable potential audience. Furthermore, whatever is done to address the particular needs of an individual or group typically improves the experience for everyone. Who hasn’t rolled a suitcase over a curb cut intended to provide access to the sidewalk for someone using a wheelchair? Similarly, once a large print guide is created it often becomes more popular than the standard print version because everyone can use it easily. Any organization that isn’t deliberately designing for access and inclusion is likely coming up short.
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Posted Wednesday July 31 2013 at 11:44 pm
It's official!
VSA Massachusetts has received a renewal of the Arts for Inclusion contract with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DOESE). This 5 year contract, worth $850,000, will help us provide inclusive arts education opportunities for students and educators throughout the state. The COOL Schools program will serve 2,000 students with and without disabilities and 300 teachers each year in schools in Boston, Tewksbury, Worcester and Gardner.
Through arts integration, students sing, dance, draw and act their way into their curriculum, making learning more accessible and engaging for all. COOL students will also attend inclusive arts festivals and field trips to cultural organizations, expanding inclusive arts learning opportunities outside the school. Professional development will give educators resources on best practices to support inclusion through the arts.
Thank you for the vote of confidence, DOESE!
Posted Wednesday July 24 2013 at 11:12 pm
Creative Explosion is a 3-Day Workshop Series open to young people 15+ with and without disabilities who want opportunity to play with theatrical improvisation,
movement, visual arts, and music in countless combinations.
How do you want to explore?
Improvisation: exploring personal communication options, character development, and the creativity surrounding spontaneity.
Movement as personal expression: creating physical representations of thought and emotions; exploring emotional outputs through movement.
Music: an outlet and tool to express and enhance creativity.
Visual Arts: the visual/physical representation of internal creativity. How will the visual arts influence improv, movement, and music?
When: Wednesday, August 7; Thursday, August 8; and Friday, August 9; 10am - 3pm
Where: Massachusetts College of Art, The Pozen Center, 621 Huntington Ave., Boston
Call: 617-426-4737 or
E-mail: mystical@RCN.com
All learning styles will be accommodated. Participants are asked to make a commitment to the entire program and should plan to attend all three sessions. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing.
Presented through a collaboration of Center for Art and Community Partnerships/Mass Art, Until Tomorrow Productions, and VSA Massachusetts.
