District of Columbia - WVSA arts connection
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1100 Sixteenth Street NW |
L. Lawrence Riccio, EdD |
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Tel.: (202) 296-9100, x217 |
Website: |
Organizational Profile:
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Full-time Staff: 44 |
For more than 25 years, WVSA ARTs connection (formerly Washington Very Special Arts) served and continues to serve Washington, D.C.-area children and young people with special needs, special talents, and special skills. Employing the arts as an innovative method of education, WVSA provides the tools for success in school, in adulthood, and in life.
Programming Partners and Other Funders:
Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area; Community Foundation; D.C. Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation; D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities; District of Columbia Public Schools; HSC Foundation; iGive.com; Philip Graham Fund; Office of State Superintendent of Education; U.S. Department of Education; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Walton Family Foundation
Educational Programs and Artist Residencies
ARTiculate Employment Training Program
The ARTiculate Employment Training Program provides employment and vocational training for youth ages 14–25 using a studio and technology setting. The program is a model for vocational and life skills training for students transitioning from school to work. Through an arts-based training format, the artist apprentices work a minimum of six hours per week in fully functional studios. The thrust of the ARTiculate program is to provide participants with experience in three discrete skill areas: applied and fine arts, graphics/technology, and social skills/career readiness training.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
School for Arts in Learning (SAIL) Dissemination Program
WVSA/SAIL will be focusing on a new initiative to engage our teachers in technological professional development tools to be implemented in the classroom. The professional development component includes one week of training during the summer on hardware, software, and other acquired technologies prior to the start of the 2007–08 school year. This will be for all SAIL teachers, but specifically target those teachers who need beginner to intermediate technology skills training. SAIL’s in-house instructional technology director, an Apple-certified trainer, will facilitate that week of training. This intensive training will be followed up throughout the school year with workshops as needed and as new equipment is acquired. SAIL instructors, teaching assistants, academic support professionals, and administrators will be compensated during the one-week training session. Also, with regard to application priorities, SAIL has been working with Johns Hopkins University to implement a 15-credit advanced graduate certificate program for teachers.
Public Awareness and Outreach
ARTiculate Gallery
The ARTiculate Gallery offers bimonthly exhibitions of artwork from participants in the ARTiculate Employment Training Program. This space is a public gallery open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Every six to eight weeks, the gallery hosts an exhibition opening reception on a Wednesday night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
(F) 202-429-0868