VSA arts of Wisconsin
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4785 Hayes Road, #201 |
Kathie Wagner |
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Tel.: (608) 241-2131 |
Website: |
Organizational Profile:
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Full-time Staff: 5 |
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VSA arts of Wisconsin expands the capabilities, confidence, and quality of life for children and adults with disabilities by providing programs in dance, drama, creative writing, music, and visual art. VSA arts of Wisconsin achieves this mission through quality statewide initiatives, including extensive educational programming, professional development opportunities, and public awareness and outreach efforts.
Programming Partners and Other Funders:
Goodwill Industries; University of Wisconsin–Madison; Marquette University; State of Wisconsin; Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction/CESA 2 ; DeAtley Foundation; Wahlin Foundation; WPS Health Insurance; Clack Corporation, Kraft Foods; Wausau Insurance; American Family Insurance; Advertisers Press; Thermo Fisher Scientific; CUNA Mutual Group Foundation; WORC; UCP Teen Outreach; Ethan Allen School; Easter Seals Kindcare; Mitchell Manor; Down Syndrome Society of Wisconsin; Milwaukee Center for Independence; Prince of Peace School; Madison Metropolitan School District; Madison Arts Commission; U.S. Bank Foundation; Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission; Greater Milwaukee Foundation; Pleasant Rowland Foundation; Thompson Investment Management; Community Foundation of South Wood County; Opportunities, Inc.
Educational Programs and Artist Residencies
Artist Residencies
Professional teaching artists will conduct 31 residencies throughout the state in FY 2007. At early learning centers, artists will integrate purposeful arts activities that support key learning experiences in children, from birth to six years of age, with and without disabilities. The 10-week residency programs promote language development and early literacy. Programs are conducted in music, movement, visual art and drama and are linked to the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards. Residencies conducted at schools will engage students of all abilities and developmental levels in meaningful arts programs and projects that enrich everyday classroom experiences, enhance learning opportunities, and support creative inquiry and expression. Residencies for adults will be conducted in collaboration with human service organizations. Participants will explore the arts in non-competitive environments that encourage creative exploration and self-expression. All residencies are designed to strengthen participants’ cognitive, social, and artistic skills.
Choirs
VSA arts of Wisconsin conducts 12 choir programs in communities throughout the state. In this program, people with and without disabilities engage in ongoing music experiences that focus on individual and group strengths and talents. Each choir is directed by professional music therapists or educators who use adaptive teaching techniques to support the participation and skill development of all choir members.
VSA Art Center
More than 95 different programs in visual art, music, and dance will be conducted at the VSA Art Center in Madison. Projects include, but are not limited to:
- four- to six-week evening classes for adults in ceramics, drama/improvisation, dance/movement, printmaking, drawing, painting, watercolors, mixed media, and music
- Open Doors Studio, visual art programs in two dimensional art and ceramics for emerging artists with disabilities
ArtSparks, Classes, and Outreach
ArtSparks are one-day art sessions designed to engage participants in exploring one or more art disciplines. ArtSparks involve interactive, hands-on activities and are typically one-and-a-half or three hours in length. In Milwaukee, VSA arts of Wisconsin conducts classes in various mediums, including painting, drawing, weaving, papermaking, and mixed media. Statewide, VSA arts of Wisconsin conducts short-term outreach initiatives designed to engage individuals and groups who are underserved. In 2007–08, VSA arts of Wisconsin is piloting Collected Thoughts—Collaborative Murals, a new outreach program in visual art. Participants from each partnering organization will create a collaborative work composed of 12” x 12” panels. The completed murals are intended to raise awareness and interest in disability issues. Once completed, they will be displayed publicly in Milwaukee. Stories in Art, a fiber arts pilot program in Milwaukee in 2006–07, is being replicated at four schools in the Wausau area.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
Look to the Arts! Home and School Literacy Program
Educators from four early learning centers in Madison and Middleton will participate in training workshops led by VSA arts teaching artists. Educators will develop art-based lessons that promote inclusion and early literacy skill development. VSA arts teaching artists and educators will facilitate hands-on Look to the Arts! Activities for students and parents. The program promotes learning and professional development through participation, observation, and reflection.
Professional Development for teaching artists
VSA arts of Wisconsin will conduct a training workshop for up to 30 teaching artists from across the state. Topics include disability sensitivity and awareness, strategies for inclusive programming, arts integration in the classroom, developmentally appropriate programming, as well as collaboration and communication. Featured speakers include Paul White, Community TIES program director at the University of Wisconsin’s Waisman Center; Laura Griffin, art therapist at the Rehabilitation Center of Sheboygan; and Julie Palkowski, coordinator of fine arts at the Madison Metropolitan School District.
Professional Conferences and Presentations
Interactive workshops and presentations will be given at the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association annual meeting and at InfoShare, hosted by the Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Cultural Access and Inclusive Arts Services
Cultural access is found within the context of many VSA arts of Wisconsin program initiatives. For example, Universal Design brochures will be distributed to exhibition venues across the state; Collected Thoughts—Collaborative Murals and Stories in Art exhibitions are planned in Milwaukee and Wausau. In addition, Visual Expressions: A Call for Art exhibition will be held at the Common Wealth Gallery, Madison, in an effort to connect people with disabilities to the community, help extinguish stereotypes regarding disability, and create a culture truly representative of all people.
Public Awareness and Outreach
Children’s and Adult Art Exhibitions
VSA arts of Wisconsin children’s and adult art exhibitions showcase the artistic talents of individuals with disabilities. An annual statewide call for art generates more than 300 submissions. Each submitting artist will have one work of art presented at the Call for Art exhibition in Madison. Award recipients are honored at a celebration, and their artwork becomes part of VSA arts’ traveling exhibition that is displayed in selected cities throughout the state.
Newsletter
This quarterly publication provides program updates and information about the organization to participants, educators, volunteers, sponsors, civic leaders, and legislators.
Web site
VSA arts of Wisconsin’s Web site (www.vsawis.org) features information about programs and downloadable application materials/registration forms. The site also highlights works of art included in the traveling art exhibitions.
(F) 202-429-0868