| Type | Non-Profit |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 |
| Founder(s) | Jean Kennedy Smith |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Website | http://www.vsarts.org |
VSA (Very Special Arts) is an international organization on arts and disability which was founded in 1974 by former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smith.[1][2][3] VSA's purpose is "to provide arts and education opportunities for people with disabilities and increase access to the arts for all" and to "changing perceptions about people with disabilities around the world." Each year, 7 million people of all ages and abilities participate in VSA programs, which cover all artistic genres—music, dance, visual arts, theater and literary arts. They accomplish this through their network of affiliates in 52 countries and VSA state organizations across America.[4]
VSA is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and is headquartered in Washington, DC.
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The 'four principals' which guide VSA are that--
Moreover they state that-- "Inclusion teaches us that all means all. Everybody. No exceptions. The arts invite people to leave familiar territory, explore new questions, and seek answers. The arts offer a means to self-expression, communication, and independence. By learning through the arts, students become lifelong learners, experiencing the joy of discovery and exploration, and the value of each other's ideas. VSA is committed to driving change in perceptions and practice—classroom by classroom, community by community, and ultimately society."
Each year VSA sponsors many notable programs as their "International Young Soloists Award," "Playwright Discovery" program, a "Call for Writing," apprenticeship at Apprentices at the Williamstown Theatre Festival as well as at the AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival and International Documentary Conference. VSA's Momentum program offers an exhibition opportunity for emerging visual artists with disabilities in the U.S. ages 16–25. Momentum provides $60,000 in cash awards (among the largest in the nation) including a $20,000 grand prize.[6]
VSA founder Jean Kennedy Smith co-authored a book with George Plimpton entitled Chronicles of Courage: Very Special Artists which was published by Random House in April 1993. This 272 page book profiled 16 artists with disabilities who discussed how participation in the arts made a positive difference in their lives.
Many artists of note have been directly involved with, or supportive of, VSA. Those with disabilities have included Chuck Close(painter), Mark Di Suvero(sculptor), Jack Hofsiss(directlr), Tony Meléndez(musician), Howie Seago(actor/director), Dale Chihuly(glass artist), Itzhak Perlman(violinist) and many more. Academy Award winning actress Marlee Matlin wrote and published a sequel to her novel "Deaf Child Crossing," entitled "Nobody's Perfect," which was produced on stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in partnership with VSA arts in October 2007.[7]
VSA and its name have evolved since the organization was founded. The organization was and continues to be a pioneer in the field of arts and disability. VSA has played a significant role over the years in changing society’s attitudes toward people with disabilities. With that change, the organization has regularly looked at its own identity to ensure it is consistent with current attitudes and language used by the disability community.
The Evolution of the VSA name:
On September 28, 2005 the Board of Trustees of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Board of Directors of VSA arts[9] announced their formal affiliation effective, October 3, 2005. The stated purpose of this action was intended to "enable both organizations to expand and strengthen their arts education programs to better serve children, families and all people with disabilities around the world." Other reasons cited were to allow for the sharing of resources and programming between the two organizations.[10] VSA is represented on the Kennedy Center's Board of Directors.