VSA arts of Georgia
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57 Forsyth Street NW Suite R-1 |
Elizabeth Labbe-Webb |
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Tel.: (404) 221-1270, x 207 |
Elizabeth.Labbe-Webb@VSAartsGA.org Website: |
Organizational Profile:
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Full-time Staff: 4 |
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VSA arts of Georgia provides access to the arts for people with disabilities and those who are economically disadvantaged. We are a statewide resource working with artists and organizations to fulfill our mission of an inclusive community that encourages everyone to enjoy and participate in the arts.
Programming Partners and Other Funders:
National Endowment for the Arts; Georgia Council for the Arts; Fulton County Arts Council; Atlanta Bureau of Cultural Affairs; Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta; Turner Broadcasting System; Genuine Parts Company; Georgia-Pacific Foundation; McMaster-Carr Supply Company; SunTrust; John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods; Argent Mortgage Company; Young Audiences Woodruff Arts Center; Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
Educational Programs and Artist Residencies
Artist Residency
VSA arts of Georgia, in partnership with Young Audiences Woodruff Arts Center, is conducting artist residencies in inclusive classrooms in five schools. In the spring, VSA arts of Georgia will conduct residencies in one school and two community settings. As part of an effort to enhance the quality of its residencies, VSA arts of Georgia now requires all participating artists to attend portions of the annual institute that precedes the residency experience.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
Institute for Inclusive Arts Education
VSA arts of Georgia will offer institute curriculum all year long as a series of classes for the Atlanta community. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, Atlanta’s premier public facility for fine arts instruction, will host a one-day gathering for the institute.
Holiday Art Sale
The annual Holiday Art Sale is a major retail learning opportunity for artists with and without disabilities, and an occasion for shoppers to experience the organization’s vision of a Georgia where the arts are accessible to everyone, regardless of circumstance. VSA arts of Georgia invites corporate and civic groups to reserve the organization’s Arts for All Gallery for holiday parties where partygoers can “shop for a cause.” The shopping party concept, introduced in 2004, has seen annual sales revenue jump from $3,000 to $30,000 in just two years.
Cultural Access and Inclusive Arts Services
StageHands Program
The StageHands program provides theatrical American Sign Language interpreting services for people who are culturally Deaf. It is the interpreting service of choice for most of Atlanta’s major arts and cultural venues.
Community Events Program
Community Events is a membership program that works with arts and cultural venues throughout the state to distribute over 100,000 complimentary tickets annually to human service agencies and nonprofits serving individuals who have disabilities or are economically disadvantaged. In 2005, Community Events more than doubled its outreach, distributing over $2.6 million in donated tickets to nearly 300 agencies.
Public Awareness and Outreach
Arts for All Gallery
Arts for All Gallery, located in the historic Healey Building in the heart of downtown Atlanta, is a unique, highly regarded venue for local, national, and international artists with disabilities to display and sell their work. The gallery hosts five shows each year, many of which receive significant regional media coverage, plus an inclusive Holiday Art Sale. The gallery participates in a monthly art walk that includes most downtown galleries. The gallery is the only resource of its kind in the state of Georgia. It is quickly establishing itself as a non-commercial, community meeting space for downtown residents.
Leadership Councils
Public conversations about the focus and financing of VSA arts of Georgia’s programs and services are guided by individual leadership councils consisting of constituents, staff, and Board members. The councils meet quarterly.
Web site/Brochure/Newsletter
Through www.vsaartsga.org, marketing materials for gallery exhibitions, and monthly HTML e-mails, VSA arts of Georgia provides information to the general community about its programs, services, staff, board, and artists.
(F) 202-429-0868