Organizations that Assist Artists with Disabilities
This is a partial list of resources compiled by the Office for AccessAbility at the National Endowment for the Arts (Phone: 202.682.5530; TTY: 202.682.5496 FAX: 202.682.5715)
Update 2/02
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Access
to the Arts |
Works directly with persons with disabilities and arts organizations to assure access to diverse arts experiences by:
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Accessible
Arts, Inc. |
A non-profit organization that champions the arts for children with disabilities and advocates access to the arts. Services include: training, workshops, arts demonstrations with students, technical assistance, a resource center, consultation and evaluation, and a nationally based referral network. Publishes newsletter semiannually with information concerning access to the arts. |
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American
Federation of Musicians (AFM) 1501 Broadway,
Suite 600 |
National membership organization. Provides grants to members through the Lester Petrillo Fund for musicians with disabilities. |
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AXIS Dance
Company |
Since 1987, AXIS Dance Company has created an exciting body of work developed by dancers with and without disabilities. The Company has become internationally known for its high artistic and educational standards and innovative movement vocabulary. AXIS' extensive community education/outreach program, Dance Access and its youth component Dance Access/KIDS! offers classes and workshops for adults and youth of all abilities, school assemblies, presentations, lecture demonstrations, and residencies locally and abroad. |
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Cleveland
Sign Stage Theatre |
Professional theatre that brings deaf and hard-of-hearing actors together through a shared theatrical experience. Provides theatrical and educational performances, workshops, and residencies for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing persons. Circulates a mailing list information on tours. |
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Coalition
for Disabled Musicians, Inc.
|
CDM was formed to give people with disabilities the opportunity to pursue their musical dreams. CDM is a volunteer-run, non-profit, self-help organization for individuals with disabilities providing assistance in the pursuit of musical aspirations. Using individual adaptive techniques and equipment, CDM gives musicians with disabilities the opportunity to develop skills, join performing groups and entertain and inspire audiences. |
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Dancing
Wheels |
A professional dance company of highly skilled dancers with and without disabilities that annually reaches over 120,000 individuals nationwide through innovative and integrated dance performances, master classes, lecture/performances, Summer Dance Workshops and Theatre Arts Camp. Dancing Wheels also offers classes and workshops for adults and children, as well as a theatre arts camp for children of all abilities 8-14 years old. |
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The Division
of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Arts Program |
The New Jersey Department of Labor's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) offers persons with disabilities an opportunity to become independent through employment. We can help you obtain a job in the competitive work force. We also offer assistance to persons who have problems with keeping their jobs. DVRS has had more than 75 years of experience in helping people with disabilities get jobs, For special assistance (braille, large print, or TTY services) call 1.800.852.7899 |
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Enabled
Artists United |
Provides
referral services to artists with disabilities and assists in networking.
Maintains a roster of member artist.
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Friends
in Art, of the American Council of the Blind |
FIA promotes and encourages participation by visually impaired artists in all media, including music, painting, sculpture, writing and drama. Membership includes blind, low vision, and sighted artists, and enthusiasts interested in the arts. FIA advocates for accessible museum exhibits and audio description in theaters. We offer an annual scholarship to assist a visually-impaired student enhance their skills. We publish a quarterly newsletter containing articles about artists and their work, descriptions of accessible museum programs, relevant news and information items, and any fiction or poetry that members wish to contribute. At ACB's annual national convention, we sponsor workshops, exhibits by visually impaired artists, museum tours, and a performance showcasing talented amateur and professional performing artists. |
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Independent
Arts Gallery |
IAG is a project of the Queens Independent Living Center, a community-based, non-residential center providing services and advocacy for all people with disabilities. IAG is committed to uniting artists with and without disabilities to build a strong and diverse artistic community. Provides cross-disability workshops in visual, literary and performing arts. Hosts five shows per year, including an annual jured exhibition at Cork Gallery, Avery Fisher Hall, and Lincoln Center. |
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Infinity
Dance Theatre |
Provides public performances, lecture demonstrations, workshops, and classes for people of all ages and abilities using the Meissner acting method and the development of wheelchair dance technique based primarily on classical ballet and modern dance. |
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National
Arts and Disability Center |
The National Arts and Disability Center (NADC) is a resource, information, and training center that provides information on the arts and disabilities. The NADC is dedicated to the inclusion of children and adults with disabilities into media, literary, visual, and performing arts communities. We respond to individual requests for information and technical assistance and in order to assist the arts communities. |
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National
Federation for the Blind |
A customer civil rights advocacy group of 50,000 blind persons which works through public education to create better opportunities and change existing attitudes about blindness. Maintains the International Braille and Technology Center, allowing access to state of the art assistive computers and databases. Special interest groups include an artists organization and a writers membership organization. Writers organization publishes a magazine Slate and Style, four times a year and is available in braille, cassette, and enlarged print format. Also provides critiques for a reasonable fee and publishes collaborative books of literature, including Summit (1997). |
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NIAD Art
Center (National Institute of Art and Disabilities) |
Provides visual & literary arts studio for adults with developmental disabilities. Exhibit and market art on a local national, and international level. |
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National
Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped |
A non-profit organization founded to provide the disabled community with the communication skills necessary to pursue life in the professional theatre and enhance their opportunities in the workplace. Programs include a theatre training school, which convenes for the academic semesters; a year round traveling cabaret performance; and an Annual Festival of Short Works, performing short works solicited from nationally professional playwrights, dealing with themes of disability. Residential campus in Maine offers a writers-in-residence program. |
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New York
Foundation for the Arts |
Sponsors art grants and fellowship programs for the disabled community. Also, provides technology and audience exchange programs for disabled artists. |
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Resources
for Artists with Disabilities, Inc. |
Promotes public awareness of and exhibition opportunities for professional visual artists with physical disabilities. Maintains a slide library for viewing by exhibition directors and curators. Artists wishing to participate should send resumes and slides of their artwork along with a short description of themselves or a resume. |
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Theater
By The Blind |
Dedicated
to finding, developing, and exhibiting blind theater artists. Company
is comprised of Blind, Visually Impaired and Sighted actors.
Showcases actors= talents in new plays and old standards. Conducts
playwright workshops. Tours. Currently is producing 2 main-stage
productions per season. |
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United
Disability Services |
A nonprofit,
human service agency with programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation
of Rehabilitation Facilities. Their programs include two employment services
that develop skills and provide job training and placement. Publishes
"Kaleidoscope: Exploring the Experience of Disability through Literature
and the Fine Arts" semiannually for a cost of $10 for a one year subscription
or $18 for a two year subscription. Subscribe online, email at |
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VSA arts
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Formerly Very Special Arts, founded as an educational affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the organization changed its name in 1999 to VSA Arts (Vision, Strength, and Artistic Expression). An international organization that creates learning opportunities through the arts for people with disabilities, it coordinates education programs that are implemented through a network of local, state, and national organizations, including educational and cultural institutions. They have many publications, including "Putting Creativity to Work: Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities" (2000) and VSA arts' "Disability Awareness Guide" (1999.) Their website offers an online gallery, exhibits, collections, and resources for artists. |
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VSA arts
Online Gallery |
Offered by VSA arts, this site showcases work by artists with disabilities. The site is open to artists of all media who are members of VSA arts Artists' Registry. Also available online are calls for entries, resources specific to technical needs of artists, electronic copies of 'The Palette' and 'The Spotlight' newsletters, and membership materials for the VSA arts Artists' Registry, a comprehensive database of more than 1,000 artists with disabilities of all disciplines. |