VSA arts of Iowa
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400 East 14th Street |
Stephanie Jessen |
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Tel.: (515) 281-3179 |
Website: |
Organizational Profile:
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Full-time Staff: 1 |
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VSA arts of Iowa promotes the creative power of Iowans of all abilities through arts experiences. VSA arts of Iowa uses the arts to improve the capabilities of children and adults with disabilities in learning and expressing themselves. Businesses, organizations, and individuals have been instrumental in helping VSA arts of Iowa’s growth plan for providing arts opportunities to an increasing number of people while expanding services for children and adults.
Programming Partners and Other Funders:
Iowa Department of Education; Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and the Iowa Arts Council; Knights of Columbus; Variety the Children’s Charity; Prairie Meadows Race Track and Casino; The Principal Financial Group; Wellmark BlueCross BlueShield, Principal Financial; Greater Des Moines Community Foundation
Educational Programs and Artist Residencies
Artist Residencies in Education Settings
Through the Arts for Children Education Program, professional artists with disabilities are trained to work with children in grades K–12 in classroom settings. These residencies and workshops occur throughout the state of Iowa, integrating the arts into the public school curriculum. This facilitates effective teaching of academic subjects in an inclusive environment and provides meaningful employment for artists with disabilities. The residencies and workshops foster positive awareness by bringing students and artists with disabilities together.
New Vision Dance Class
The New Vision Dance Class provides year-round dance sessions for youth with disabilities. In addition to attending classes, New Vision dancers perform at local events, from shopping malls to collegiate level half-time performances. The highlight this past year was performing at the Special Olympics National Games in Ames. Through this program, students learn dance styles from various cultures, learn to interact with each other, express themselves, and feel comfortable in a setting that is usually exclusive.
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
The Arts for Children Education Program
Teacher Training
The Arts for Children Education Program Teacher Training is VSA arts of Iowa’s sole program dedicated to professional development and technical assistance. This teacher training features two full days of a professional development class at all of Iowa’s 15 area education agencies. The training focuses on effective methods of integrating the arts into academic curricula. More than 200 classroom teachers completed the training over the 2006–2007 school year.
Cultural Access and Inclusive Arts Services
Cultural Access Services
VSA arts of Iowa provides statewide services to cultural organizations that include ASL interpretation, audio description, large print format, and other adaptations.
The Accessibility Clearinghouse
The Accessibility Clearinghouse provides accessibility information for performing arts facilities, art centers, and other places where the arts abound.
Public Awareness and Outreach
The Red Carpet Gala
This is the newest annual fundraiser for VSA arts of Iowa. The Red Carpet Gala invites members of the community to “dress up” and watch the Academy Awards on a theater screen. Incorporated into the gala's theme is an auction of donated movie-related items. Many local restaurants donate food representing the five movies in the Best Movie category.
Mayfair
Mayfair is an annual fundraiser that usually generates between $25,000 and $35,000 for VSA arts of Iowa. Held in donated space in downtown Des Moines, Mayfair allows attendees to bid at an auction of donated items, sample local cuisine, and socialize in a lively atmosphere.
The Governor’s VSA arts of Iowa Festival
This festival features more than 100 performances and exhibitions from 80 professional artists with disabilities from a cross-section of Iowa. Held every year since 1980 as part of the Iowa State Fair, the festival attracted approximately 250,000 audience members in 2007, making it the most popular festival for artists with disabilities in the United States. The festival's popularity and the media exposure that it generates make this 11-day event a uniquely effective program for advancing the careers of artists with disabilities.
Integrated Arts Initiatives
The Integrated Arts Initiatives is a statewide call for art. One initiative features work submitted by adolescents. Each submission is incorporated into a mosaic tile mural that is permanently displayed at the Department of Education in the Grimes State Office Building on the State Capitol Complex.
The VSA arts of Iowa Artist Roster
The artist roster provides artist services to 150 performing and visual artists from around the state. These services include training for the VSA arts of Iowa Arts for Children education program, sponsorship of exhibitions and art fairs, transportation, advocacy, consultation, artist workshops, material discounts, and professional referrals.
The International Young Soloists Program
The International Young Soloist Program is an annual search for youth with disabilities up to age 25 who are gifted in vocal or instrumental music. The state winner is eligible to compete for a $5,000 scholarship awarded to two artists who will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
VSA arts of Iowa Presentations
VSA arts of Iowa representatives have spoken at numerous Rotary Clubs, Breakfast Clubs, Kiwanis, and other service organizations to raise awareness of the organization. As a result, VSA arts of Iowa has gained volunteers, donations, and support.
Community Arts Opportunities
Community arts opportunities are integrated arts experiences for all art forms through the following venues: Des Moines Arts Festival, ArtsFest Midwest, Kids Fest, Festival of Trees, Iowa Arts Jam, Des Moines Downtown Farmer's Market, and Building Bridges at the Iowa State Fair. VSA arts of Iowa’s exposure markets the artists’ work, generating potential sales and employment opportunities.
(F) 202-429-0868