About Us
VSA arts of Rhode Island
Vision Strength Access
Creating a society where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in, & enjoy the arts.
VSA arts of Rhode Island is dedicated to enriching the
lives of people with disabilities through active participation
in the arts by providing high quality programs and opportunities
through which children and adults can enter the mainstream
of their communities while promoting the educational and
cultural benefits of the arts for all people.
History & Mission
VSA arts of Rhode Island
is a statewide, nonprofit, arts and education organization
dedicated to providing opportunities for children and
adults with disabilities to actively participate in
the arts.
VSA arts of Rhode Island creates high quality programs
in literary, performing, and visual arts for inclusive
audiences throughout the state. Through its collaborations
with partners from the arts, cultural, disability, and
educational communities, VSA Arts of Rhode Island increases
public awareness of the creative talents of people with
disabilities, integrating their achievements into Rhode
Island's mainstream community, and providing cultural
experiences for all.
VSA arts of RI is accredited by the national VSA arts,
founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith as
an educational affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center
for the Performing Arts. There are 50 VSA arts State
Organizations and more than 60 organizations worldwide.
While the VSA arts national organization provides "seed
money" and regional coordination, all VSA arts
organizations function autonomously. VSA arts of Rhode
Island was incorporated in September of 1986, and was
awarded non-profit status under section 501(c)(3) in
March 1988.
VSA arts of RI creates individually designed artist-in-residency
programs which place professional artists in classrooms
and in community sites in order to provide intensive
"hands on" arts experiences for children,
youth and adults with disabilities. Each program is
designed to leave both teachers and students with a
legacy of new skills and a greater understanding of
the importance of arts education for all children and
adults.
VSA arts of RI provides training to professional artists,
teachers, administrators, service providers, and parents
on the design and administration of high quality arts
programs thus enabling them to discover new ways of
recognizing, developing and promoting the artistic skills
of individuals with disabilities.
VSA arts of RI sponsors exhibits, performances and
general public events to showcase the artistic accomplishments,
and increase public awareness, of the talents and abilities
of children and adults with disabilities. VSA arts of
RI advocates that all public arts agencies actively
promote their programs to include persons with disabilities,
and present fully accessible programs and events.
VSA arts of RI is the only agency in Rhode Island which
exists solely for the purpose of providing opportunities
in the arts by, with and for individuals with disabilities.
Annually, more than 20,000 Rhode Islanders benefit from
VSA arts of Rhode Island's programs, exhibits and events.
What does VSA stand for?
V - Vision
S - Strength
A - Access
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