VSA (Kennedy Center)

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. 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.

VSA is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and is headquartered in Washington, DC.

Notable Programs

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.

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.

Principles & Philosophy

The 'four principals' which guide VSA are that--

• 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.

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."

Name Changes

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:

• 1974: National Committee - Arts for the Handicapped
• 1985: Very Special Arts
• 1999: VSA arts
• 2009: VSA

Kennedy Center Affiliation

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 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.. VSA is represented on the Kennedy Center's Board of Directors.

External links

• VSA -Official Website
• Publisher’s Weekly: Nonfiction Review “Chronicles of Courage: Very Special Artists”
• Huffington Post: VSA Arts Celebrates JFK's Commitment to Social Justice (article & video)
• Kennedy Center: International VSA Festival 2010
• VSA/Metlife Foundation Award $150,000 to Arts Education programs

Similar Organizations

• National Arts and Disability Center
• National Institute of Art & Disabilities
• Mouth and Foot Painting Artists
• Disabled Artists Network
• NEA: Organizations that Assist Artists with Disabilities