VSA arts

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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:

Every young person with a disability deserves access to high quality arts learning experiences.
All artists in schools and art educators should be prepared to include students with disabilities in their instruction.
All children, youth, and adults with disabilities should have complete access to cultural facilities and activities.
All individuals with disabilities who aspire to careers in the arts should have the opportunity to develop appropriate skills.

VSA arts is an organization made up of affiliated but independent 501-c-3 non-profit organizations throughout the United States and in over 60 countries worldwide.

VSA arts programs with the United States are run by the individual VSA arts state organizations. Each independent state group may have their own 501-c-3 status or operate in cooperation with another non-profit group. The Washington, D.C. home office provides funding, organizes conferences, provides networking, shared use of resources, technical assistance and programming. State organizations apply annually to maintain their affiliate status and receive funding to first ensure that they continue to meet fiscal and operational standards and secondly to gauge and encourage growth.

International affiliates receive no funding from VSA arts.

VSA arts is an organization that promotes participation in the arts by people with disabilities. It provides programs in over 60 counties worldwide.