Call for Art for Artists With Disabilities

VSA arts of Virginia is proud to announce new visual art exhibition opportunities for artists with disabilities

VSA arts of Virginia works to ensure adults, youth and children with disabilities and others with limited arts access to express themselves through visual, literary and performing arts. Our programs assist participants to develop confidence, inspire creativity and provide opportunities to use their imaginations in creative and nurturing settings. VSAVA showcases the talents and strengths of each participant and promotes a greater awareness of the benefits of the arts in the lives of all people.

The Outside the Lines Exhibitions Program, is open to adults, youth and children and offers local and regional and national artists with disabilities and others with limited arts access ways to showcase their work for sale while learning how to professionally submit art for consideration in juried and curated art exhibitions. Other arts non-profits that serve artists with disabilities, as well as schools and other agencies that support artists with disabilities are encouraged to submit works by groups of artists with disabilties. Preference will be given to submissions from artists in VSAVA statewide districts but please do not feel limited by this; the criteria for selection will be broad.

Outside the Lines defines "outsider art" as work of artists, often with disabilities, who demonstrate little influence from the mainstream art world and who seem instead motivated by their unique personal visions. This includes what is known as self-taught art, art brut, non-traditional folk art, intuitive and visionary art.

Deadline

This year we are excited to announce we are accepting work from artists with disabilities from Virginia and beyond to promote a global community and to help dissipate the isolation and loneliness that sometimes exist for artists with disabilities.

Materials must be received by VSAVA by January 1, 2007 for consideration. Questions? Contact Krishanna Spencer, State Exhibition Curator by phone at 804.230.0246 or by e-mail at kspencer@vsava.org.

Media

· Artists with disabilities working in two-dimensional visual media or three-dimensional hanging works are invited to submit work for consideration in rotating art exhibits and shows for the 2006-2007 calendar year.

· Only original works created within the last 3 years and not previously shown by VSAVA will be accepted. All media, styles, and techniques are eligible.

Eligibility

· Outside the Lines is open to all artists with disabilities. There is no entry fee. Exhibit is open to all media. If special considerations are needed, please call Krishanna Spencer at 804.230.0246 for questions.

· Works may not exceed 3'x3'. Works on paper must be framed and preferably Plexiglas or glass and ready for hanging.

· Works on stretchers (i.e. canvases) don't need to be framed, but must have finished edges and should be wired or have saw-toothed hangers attached.

· Any other types of work are acceptable, as long as they can be hung from a nail. Weight of artwork cannot exceed 35 lbs.

Guidelines

To be considered, proposals must include the following items:

1. Introductory letter

2. A maximum of five (5) prints or CD digital format. If you are mailing work on prints, each picture must be labeled with the following: name, title, date, media, and dimensions (width x length x depth). Contact Krishanna for questions or assistance.

3. If you are submitting digital images on CD-rom, images must be in .jpeg format, 1200 x 900 pixels and 300 DPI, no larger than 4”x 6”. The file name should follow this format: last name, first name, image number, and the title. Example: DoeJane1Untitled. Photos/CDs will not be returned for selected works. Contact Krishanna for questions or assistance.

4. A one-page artist statement (to be displayed with artwork)

5. A SASE for returning materials

6. Signed copy of the attached Artist’s Agreement and submission forms


Liability

Reasonable care will be taken with all submitted materials. None of VSAVA’s, venue[s], their officers, staff, volunteers, jurors, or anyone connected with the exhibition will be responsible for loss or damage however caused. Your entry into this exhibition constitutes agreement with these terms and conditions set forth by this prospectus.

Selected Work

All artists will be mailed a notification letter upon selection. This notification letter will include shipping and hand delivery deadlines, as well as shipping and pick up dates.

Works selected for exhibition must have a completed label affixed to the lower right-hand corner on the back of the work. Label must include artist’s name, address, phone number, e-mail, title of work, medium year the work was completed, dimensions and price. Contact Krishanna for questions or assistance.

Artists will receive 70% of the sales from their work. Exhibitions will be held at one of the following venues below, unless otherwise specified in the acceptance letter.

Outside the Lines Exhibition Venues

Max’s Positive Vibe Café, a training restaurant in Richmond providing a hands-on teaching environment for people with disabilities to learn basic and chef level food service skills, has generously donated the walls of its foyer and dining room to VSAVA to give artists with disabilities a venue in which to show and sell their work.

The Children’s Museum of Richmond is a Universally designed museum, providing a hands-on learning environment for children of all abilities. The museum generously provides exhibition space for our children’s art programs and is home to our MusicLink program.

Nextel Communications Headquarters has donated wall space (approximately 22 ft.) in their headquarters to VSAVA giving artists with disabilities another venue in which to show and sell their work in a corporate environment.

Outside the Lines is VSAVA’s gallery space. Located at the state VSA arts of Virginia office its mission is to promote public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of outsider art through education and exhibition.

We are also developing other exhibition venues around Richmond in prominent areas to be announced as they are added.