VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith. It was originally called Very Special Arts. Although VSA no longer explicitly acts as an acronym, the three letters of the name are intended to represent "Vision of an inclusive community, Strength in shared resources and Artistic expression that unite us all."
The organization's official guiding principles for programming and public initiatives are:

Abilities Festival - A Celebration of Disability Arts and Culture - A multifaceted and multidisciplinary festival of visual and performing arts providing opportunities to showcase artistic excellence by persons with disabilities.
Meta Description: [ Abilities Fesitval is a celebration of visual and performing arts which provides opportunities to showcase artistic excellence by persons with disabilities. ]
Access Expressed New England - Five databases of articles about cultural access for people with disabilities.
Meta Description: [ VSA arts (formerly Very Special Arts), an international non profit organization celebrating the power of the arts have made in the lives of individuals with disabilities. We offer a wide range of educational programming and events both nationally and through our vast international affiliate netwo... ]
Accessible Arts - The mission of Accessible Arts, Inc. is to champion the arts for children with disabilities and advocate access to the arts.
Meta Description: [ meta info ]
American Sign Language / DeafArt Club - Established to provide opportunities for the deaf and hearing to create and exhibit DeafArt (De'VIA), which incorporates American Sign Language, Deaf Culture and the Deaf Experience. Includes numerous pictures.
Art and Artability - Consultancy of art initiatives and projects for people with disabilities (Netherlands)
Art Enables - Art Enables is an arts-based training and employment placement program for persons with developmental disabilities sixteen years and older in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
Meta Description: [ Outsider art, outsider art inside the beltway, washington, DC, folk art, arts, disability, art program, arts non-profit ]
ARTability, Accessing Arizona's Arts - News and calendars of accessible arts events in Arizona, including audio-described and American Sign Language interpreted performances. Links to many Arizona arts and disability sites.
Meta Description: [ ARTability serves as a bridge between arts organizations and individuals with disabilities by promoting accessible programming in the arts and facilitating connections to services and resources. ]
404
Arts Access - Arts Access is based in Melbourne, Australia and provides access to arts and cultural activity for people who are disadvantaged, including people with a disability.
Meta Description: [ Arts Access is based in Melbourne, Australia and provides access to arts and cultural activity for people who are disadvantaged, including people with a disability. ]
Arts Access of Raleigh, NC - Encourages and enables persons with disabilities to have full access to arts programs and facilities and participate fully in the cultural and artistic life of Raleigh.
Meta Description: [ Arts Access is a Raleigh NC organization whose mission is to make the arts accessible to people with disabilities in the Triangle area. ]
404
Arts at CforAT - Center for Accessible Technology offers art programs to adults and children with disabilities. (California)
Meta Description: [ We provide access to assistive technology that gives people with disabilities access to computers; provide art programs to provide access to artistic expression; and offer ongoing consultation and support to assist people with disabilities in maintaining and enhancing access. We are a 501(c)(... ]
500
Arts Disability Wales - Works throughout Wales to promote equal opportunities in the arts for disabled people, providing training, information and advice. (UK)
Arts For All, Inc. - Performing arts and visual arts for Tucson, Arizona including Third Street Kids
Meta Description: [ Arts for All, Inc. Third St. Kids offers performing arts, classes and summer programs for adults and children with disabilites. ]
Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (AMFPA) - A worldwide association of artists that organizes a wide range of exhibitions, sells original art works and permits publishing houses to reproduce their works as art greeting cards and calendars.
Meta Description: [ Die AMFPA - Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World präsentiert die eindrucksvollen Kunstwerke von behinderten Künstlern aus aller Welt, in deutsch, englisch, spanisch, französisch. Mundmaler und Fussmaler haben sich in der VdmfK zusammen gefunden, um gemeinsam ihr Bilder zu p... ]
Autism... Arts... Art... ARTwork... Gallery - Collections of artwork and music from children and adults on the autistic spectrum worldwide.
Meta Description: [ Worldwide collection of artwork and music from children and adults with autism. Celtic Harvest Live ~ Irish Musicians for Autism. Enter our AACC 2003-2004 Essay Contest! ]
Creative Growth Art Center - A non-profit visual arts center, located in downtown Oakland, California, providing creative art programs, educational and independent living training, counseling and vocational opportunities for adults who are physically, mentally and emotionally disabled.
Creative Spirit Art Centre - Studio space, art education, and exhibitions for people with disabilities. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Meta Description: [ A Toronto Art Center for disabled people specializing in Art Brut ]
Creativity Explored - full time visual art center for people with disabilities in California
Meta Description: [ A nonprofit visual arts center where artists with developmental disabilities create, exhibit, and sell art. ]
Damon Brooks Associates - A resource that exclusively features performing artists, musicians and comedians, all of whom have a disability.
Deaf Culture Art - A resource for anyone interested in Deaf Art, particularly the category defined by Deaf View/Image Art (De'VIA).
Meta Description: [ DeafArt.org - Homepage for First National Touring Exhibit of Deaf Culture Art ]
Disability Clip Art - Positive images of people with disabilities in everyday-life situations and inclusive settings.
Meta Description: [ Positive individual and group images of children and adults with disabilities in everyday-life
situations and inclusive settings. ]
Disabled Artists Worldwide Network - 21st Century D.A.W.N. Artists, musicians, poets and writers with disabilities are encouraged to submit creations. Where the Earth is Art and every word is a song.
Meta Description: [ We will promote artwork and music talents for people with disabilities. ]
First Street Gallery Art Center - An Art Center and Gallery for adults with developmental disabilities in Claremont, California. First Street's artists produce art in painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, collage, assemblage, art books and creative writing.
Hands-On Education - New Jersey organization providing educational programs for grades K-12. Topics include Disability Awareness, Conflict Resolution and Substance Abuse Prevention.
Hope University / Hi Hopes Fine-Arts Foundation - Non-profit, fine arts facility for developmentally-disabled adults with autism, and Down syndrome. Offers creative-arts therapy and focused music, art, and dance programs.
Meta Description: [ Hope University is a fine-arts facility for adults with developmental disabilities. 714.778.4440 ]
Hospital Audiences Inc. - Provides access to the arts to New Yorkers who are isolated from the cultural mainstream because of disability or medical limitations. Features description of goals, news, information on programs and workshops.
International Guild of Disabled Artists and Performers - A collective of artists and performers who identify as being disabled or having a disability.
Kids on the Block - Provides educational puppet programs which enlighten children on the issues of disability awareness, medical-educational differences, and social concerns. Includes package overview and information on starting a troupe.
Meta Description: [ Puppet characters and scripts by The Kids on the Block, Inc. teach children about disability, medical conditions and social issues. ]
Laser Eagles Art Guild, Painting for Disabled People - Painting for disabled people using laser pointers and a tracker to create art. Laser Eagles is an opportunity for people with limited mobility and speech to reveal their artistic vision.
Meta Description: [ Laser Eagles Art Guild creates an opportunity for people with limited mobility and speech to reveal their artistic vision. ]
404
Maryland Arts Access - Making arts, recreation and cultural activities accessible throughout Maryland for all persons regardless of disability or the nature of disability.
National Arts and Disability Center (NADC) - Dedicated to promoting the full inclusion of children and adults with disabilities into the visual-, performing-, media-, and literary- arts communities.
Meta Description: [ National Arts and Disability Center, Arts and Disability ]
National Disability Arts Forum - NDAF provides the latest national and international news in the field of Disability arts, contacts, services, links and artwork.
Meta Description: [ NDAF provides the latest national and international news in the field of Disability arts, contacts, services, links and artwork. ]
National Forum on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities - Site presents the Forum's agenda, concept papers, keynote addresses, daily updates, and final recommendations.
Meta Description: [ The first-ever National Forum on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC from June 14-16, 1998. This site presents the Forum's agenda, concept papers, keynote addresses, daily updates, and final recomme... ]
National Institute of Arts and Disabilities - NIAD'S mission is to provide an art program for people with developmental disabilities which promotes creative expression, independence, dignity and community integration.
Non-Traditional Casting Project - A not-for-profit advocacy organization seeking solutions to the problems of racism and exclusion in theatre, film and television.
North West Disability Arts Forum - Facilitates, promotes and celebrates the active participation of Disabled and Deaf people in all aspects of the Arts, Culture and creative industries. Based in Liverpool, England
Northern Disability Arts Forum - NorDAF promotes Disability Arts in the Northern region. The site offers listings, databases of practicing Disabled artists, a gallery, funding information and grant guidelines.
Meta Description: [ Serving Co. Durham, Northumberland, Teesside and Tyne & Wear, NorDAF seeks to empower Disabled people through the promotion of Disability arts and culture. ]
Nuvisions for Disabled Artists, Inc. - Established in 1984, encourages artists with physical disabilities by providing exhibition and educational opportunities, as well as the shared sensitivity and emotional support needed for personal and professional growth.
Open Arms - We are people together, with and without disabilities in Amherst, MA. Dedicated to full participation in schools, churches, clubs, sports, the arts leisure activities.
Passion Works Studio - Passion Works Studio offers art making opportunities and employment to people with developmental disabilities, practicing artists, and volunteers. The studio is funded through the Ohio Arts Council and The Athens County Board of MR/DD.
Project Ability - A developmental visual arts organisation working to promote equality of access to the arts for all those who are marginalised within the community. (UK)
Meta Description: [ Project Ability - a visual arts company/ charity with a contemporary art gallery and studio based in Glasgow, Scotland. The Centre for Developmental Arts has exhibitions featuring and selling art work by disabled artists; Project Ability manages a developmental workshop programme for children an... ]
Richard Attenborough Centre for Disability and the Arts - Focuses on people with disabilities and other members of the public who have previously found access to arts education difficult. (UK)
Society of Disabled Artists - Watercolour paintings, tutor tips, news and photo album. Frome, Somerset, England
Meta Description: [ Society of Disabled Artists (SODA), Art, Watercolour paintings, Frome, Somerset ]
Studio By The Tracks - A small non profit agency which every week provides safe harbor for individuals with autism who come to make art.
Survivors Art Foundation - Committed to empowering trauma-survivors with effective expressive outlets via internet art gallery, outreach programs, and national exhibitions.
Meta Description: [ Non-profit organization dedicated to encourage healing through the arts. Free web gallery open to all visual, literary & performing artists who are survivors of abuse, trauma and/or disability. Features job, scholarship and grant resources, outreach programs, exhibitions, and more ]
The Able Workshop - Disability and woodworking, resource of photos, tips, hints, and tricks of those with a handicap who found solutions to work shop barriers.
Meta Description: [ Disability and woodworking, resource of photos, tips, hints, and tricks of those with a handicap who found solutions to work shop barriers. ]
The Arts We Need - Dedicated to providing Creative Arts Therapy and related arts programs to people with special needs (New York).
The Helen Keller Art Award - The Helen Keller award is a biannual award presented to the artist with the best submission, in any medium on the subject of deafblindness.
Meta Description: [ Sense Scotland is a leader in the field of communication and innovative support services for people who are marginalised because of challenging behaviour, health care issues and the complexity of their support needs. It is a significant provider of services and also engages in policy development ... ]
The Orpheus Centre - A residential performing arts centre for young disabled artists founded by Richard Stilgoe. Offering courses in various displines of performing arts and apprenticeships in life skills.
Meta Description: [ The Orpheus Centre - an inclusive performing arts centre ]
VSA arts - An international non-profit arts organization of affiliates, promotes the creative power of the arts in the lives of people with disabilities. A wide range of educational opportunities, exhibits and performances in all of the arts from young children through elderly adults. (formerly Very Special Arts)
Meta Description: [ VSA arts (formerly Very Special Arts), an international non profit organization celebrating the power of the arts have made in the lives of individuals with disabilities. We offer a wide range of educational programming and events both nationally and through our vast international affiliate netwo... ]
VSA arts of Alabama - A non-profit organization dedicated to implementing arts related programming, training and advocacy to individuals and various groups as a means to achieve personal growth, increase self-confidence and positively shape the lives of people with disabilities.
Meta Description: [ Site features visual art, literary works, dance, music and drama from children and adults with disabilities that live within Alabama. VSA is a non-profit organization. ]
VSA arts of Delaware - VSA is devoted to enhancing the capabilities, confidence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities through life-long learning opportunities in the arts.
Meta Description: [ VSA is devoted specifically to enhancing the capabilities, confidence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities by providing life-long learning opportunities in the arts ]
VSA arts of Florida - A state affiliate of VSA arts, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the arts into the lives of people with disabilities.
VSA arts of Georgia - A non-profit organization celebrating the power of the arts in the lives of individuals with disabilities in Georgia. Operates the Arts for All gallery in downtown Atlanta.
VSA arts of Louisiana - Brings meaningful and structured arts education into local educational agencies, parochial, and special schools.
Meta Description: [ VSA arts (formerly Very Special Arts), an international non profit organization celebrating the power of the arts have made in the lives of individuals with disabilities. We offer a wide range of educational programming and events both nationally and through our vast international affiliate netwo... ]
VSA arts of Massachusetts - Serving individuals with disabilities by creating opportunities for participation in the arts and integration into the cultural and educational mainstream.
VSA arts of Minnesota - Programs, services, accessible theatre listings, newsletter and resources provided or created by the VSA arts affiliate in Minnesota
Meta Description: [ VSA arts (formerly Very Special Arts), an international non profit organization celebrating the power of the arts have made in the lives of individuals with disabilities. We offer a wide range of educational programming and events both nationally and through our vast international affiliate netwo... ]
VSA arts of Montana - A non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to accessibility and education in the arts.
Meta Description: [ VSA Arts of Montana is an affiliate of the national VSA Arts organization, dedicated to education and accessibility for arts and opportunities for disabled artists. ]
VSA arts of Wisconsin - Expanding the capabilities, confidence, and quality of life for children and adults with disabilities by providing programs in music, dance, drama, creative writing, and visual art.
Meta Description: [ VSA arts of Wisconsin expands the capabilities, confidence and quality of life for people of all ages with disabilities by helping them explore, express and communicate through the arts. VSA offers statewide programming in dance, drama, music, visual arts and creative writing. ]
VSA arts of Wyoming - Promoting the creative power in people with disabilities through education in the Arts.
Wired Designs - A promotional website, advocating up and coming artists with disabilities.
500
Xposure Festival - An annual month long arts festival profiling British and International performance and visual arts by disabled and deaf artists. London
| Art or vandalism? | |
| Next Video | |