Mission
The;scope;of;the;organization’s;work
arts, students become lifelong learn-
is immense, reaching people of all
ers, experiencing the joy of discovery
ages and abilities across the globe.
and exploration, and the value of each
Still,;our;mission;remains;simple—
other’s;ideas.
to use the arts to include people with
disabilities in all aspects of society.
Working for Change
VSA;arts;is;committed;to;driving
About VSA Arts
change—changing perceptions and
Designated;by;the;United;States;Con-
practice, classroom by classroom, com-
munity by community, and ultimately gress as the coordinating organization
society. There is still a long way to go for arts programming for persons with
FOCUS IN
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g
s
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t
i
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a
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t
i
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disabilities,;VSA;arts;is;supported;by
to achieve inclusive arts access and
equal opportunity of expression for its affiliate network in offering diverse
programs and events and innovative
all.
lifelong learning opportunities at the
VSA;arts;president;Soula
international, national, and local lev-
Antoniou captured the true mis-
els ranging from training institutes
sion of the organization at the
Start;With;the;Arts;Festival, and artist-in-residence projects to arts
camps and emerging-artist award pro-
grams.
held in Washington, DC the
week of June 5, 2005, when
What Is
VSA ?
she said:
Learning Through the Arts
Programming;and;initiatives;of;VSA
“Pearls are a traditional
gift to mark thirty years
www.vsarts.org
arts are guided by four essential prin-
together, and are a fitting
ciples:
• Every young person with a
disability deserves access to
appropriate arts learning
experiences.
symbol;for;VSA;arts’;anniver-
sary celebration. As a pearl is
made up of layers, our thirty
years are layers built upon a
unique vision that began with
VSA is an international nonprofit organiza-
tion founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean
Kennedy Smith as Very Special Arts.
For more than thirty years, VSA
• All artists in schools and art
Ambassador Jean Kennedy
educators should be adequately
Smith.
“In size, shape and color, prepared to include students with
disabilities in their instruction.
• All children, youth, and adults
with disabilities should have
complete access to community
cultural facilities and activities.
• All individuals with disabilities
pearls exist in a stunning diver-
sity of forms. Likewise, we are each
a rare treasure. Working together we
resemble a string of pearls, connected
by a common purpose and commit-
ment to arts, education, and disability.
who aspire to careers in the arts
“One of the most distinctive fea-
arts has worked to create a society
where people with disabilities can
learn through, participate in, and
enjoy the arts. Currently more than
five million people participate in
VSA arts programs through a
network of affiliates nation-
wide and in over sixty
should have the opportunity to
tures of a pearl is its luminosity and
countries.
develop necessary skills.
the way it seems to glow from within.
This radiance is a caused by reflec-
tion;;similarly,;the;work;of;VSA;arts Inclusion teaches us that all means all.
Everybody. No exceptions. The arts
reflects the extraordinary commit-
invite people to leave familiar terri-
ment of our nationwide and interna-
tory, to explore new answers, and to
tional;VSA;arts;network;of;affiliates,
seek new questions. The arts offer a
the John F. Kennedy Center for the
Performing;Arts,;and;the;United means to self-expression, communica-
tion, and independence. Through the
States;Congress.”
Triarco Arts & Crafts
School Arts
2009 Logo for full year
SA900T
NASCO ARTS & CRAFTS DIVISION
School Arts
Full Year - Logo
Key Code: SA900
