VSA arts of Alabama
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Located at the Children’s Health System |
Patti Hendrix Lovoy |
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Tel.: (205) 212- 7051 |
Website: |
Organizational Profile:
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Full-time Staff: 5 |
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The mission of VSA arts of Alabama is to provide opportunities in the arts for people with chronic illnesses and disabilities.
Programming Partners and Other Funders:
United Way of Central Alabama; Alabama Power Foundation; Alabama State Council on the Arts; Arc of South Talladega; Arc of The Shoals; Arc of Mobile; Arc of Walker County; AT&T; Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind; The Bell Center; Birmingham Arts & Culture Commission; Children’s Dance Foundation; Children’s Health System; Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham; Daniel Foundation; Epic School; Lakeshore Foundation; JBS Mental Health/Mental Retardation Authority Deaf Services; McCoy Adult Day Care; Robert Meyer Foundation; South Highland Day Center; United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham; United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville; University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Occupational Therapy and Department of Physical Therapy; University of Alabama at Birmingham Center for Palliative Care; Alabama Department of Rehabilitation; Children’s Rehabilitation Services Clinics; 1920 Club; HealthSouth; Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham; Walker Area Community FoundationEducational Programs and Artist Residencies
Arts Education Programs
VSA arts of Alabama provides arts education for Pre-K–12 in an inclusive environment and to adults with disabilities through community partnerships.
CreativeFest
CreativeFest is an annual thematic call for children’s art that can be integrated into the state’s educational curriculum. The Children’s Health System will partner with VSA arts of Alabama to host the exhibition and a closing reception in April 2008. A portion of the exhibition will travel throughout the state, providing an educational venue for the arts and disability awareness.
Artist Residency
VSA arts of Alabama will partner with the Alabama School for Deaf and Blind to offer an 18-week residency in drumming and rhythm facilitated by master teacher John Scalici. The residency will include the Helen Keller School, the School for the Deaf, and the School for the Blind. The residency began in October 2007. A similar residency will take place at Birmingham’s EPIC School beginning in June 2008.
Young Soloist
VSA arts of Alabama will participate in the national call for Young Soloists by partnering with the Children’s Hospital of Alabama to host a live showcase of Alabama’s young performing artists. The event will be adjudicated by judges from Birmingham Southern College and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The winners of the state program, held in December 2007, will participate in the May 2008 national program.
ArtPartners
ArtPartners is a year-round program taking place in Birmingham, Fairhope, and Sylacauga. The program partners children, youth, and adults with disabilities with established artists to paint in collaboration with community artists. The works are publicly showcased.
Arts in Health Care
VSA arts of Alabama is working to bridge the gap between our world-renowned health care institutions and our vibrant arts community in order to bring the healing power of the arts to the patients served in our health care institutions. Through Arts in Health Care the affiliate will provide arts programming to the Children’s Rehabilitation Services Clinics; the UAB Center for Palliative Care; and the following units at Children’s Hospital of Alabama: the psychiatric unit, hematology/oncology, and renal/dialysis. All programming is ongoing throughout FY2007–2008.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
Creativity—Art in the Magic City
Art in the Magic City event will be held in March 2008 at the Alabama AT&T Operations Center. It will be the 16th annual call for art created by Alabama’s adults with disabilities. The juried exhibition will be on display at the AT&T Operations Center during the month of March and will end with a closing reception and awards dinner to honor our artists. Selected works will be chosen for a traveling exhibition that will conclude at the state capitol. VSA arts of Alabama works with the participating artists to develop their business, professional, and social skills.
Board and Staff Professional Development
VSA arts of Alabama will participate in the VSA arts Regional Meetings in fall and spring and the VSA arts National Meeting in March 2008. Workshops will be offered for board and staff members by the Nonprofit Resource Center of Alabama and the Cultural Alliance at various times throughout the year.
VSA arts Training Workshops
Workshops will be offered by VSA arts of Alabama throughout the year. Workshops for community artists and educators will offer guidance on how to incorporate the arts in their ongoing programming for people with chronic illnesses and disabilities.
ArtsAccess
VSA arts of Alabama, in partnership with the Alabama State Council on the Arts, will survey all of the cultural organizations in the state to determine accessibility. Additionally, we will survey the Deaf community to determine which cultural activities interest them and what services they expect from cultural organizations in Alabama.
Cultural Access and Inclusive Arts Services
ASL Interpretation
VSA arts of Alabama will offer ASL interpretation at many cultural events across the state.
Public Awareness and Outreach
Festivals
VSA arts of Alabama will participate in public festivals and community arts events throughout the state, including the Magic City Arts Connection and Bravo Festivals in Birmingham. Outreach efforts are designed to reach parents and educators to increase awareness of VSA arts of Alabama programs serving the Pre-K–12 population.
Galleries
VSA arts of Alabama maintains galleries supporting the work of artists with disabilities at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Spain Rehabilitation Center, Red Mountain Theatre Gallery, United Cerebral Palsy’s Hand in Hand Center, the Virginia Samford Theatre, UAB Resource Center, UAB Civitan International Research Center, and City of Hoover Senior Center.
Outreach Tools
VSA arts of Alabama maintains a Web site (www.vsartsalabama.org) to promote programs and events. The organization’s newsletter, art works, is published twice a year. An annual report to the community is also printed.
(F) 202-429-0868