Seventh Poetry Book Released by VSA arts of Virginia - Charlottesville

VSA Arts of Charlottesville Albemarle announces the release of their seventh Poetry Book, See Always With Your Heart, written by individuals with disabilities and their caregivers in central Virginia. See Always With Your Heart originates in the love of human experiences and imagination. The publication is a result of an ongoing poetry project sponsored by the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County Parks and Recreation Departments, in collaboration with the Charlottesville/Albemarle VSA Arts. The project promotes writing, creativity skills and the therapeutic value of poetry for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers.

Serving as an inspiring collection of one hundred and seventeen poems and short stories, See Always With Your Heart, is written and designed by individuals who want to share their daily accomplishments, as well as struggles, taking you along on their journey. As the title of the book suggest the writers hope the general public will accept them at a heart felt level and not judge them based on outward appearance. The seventy-eight writers represented in See Always With Your Heart represent a much broader voice . . . . . . .they speak for the 58 million Americans with disabilities, the fastest growing minority group that affects one in five households.

The book can be purchased for a $10.00 donation at the Charlottesville Parks and Recreation Department in the City Hall Annex, E. Market Street or by calling 434-970-3264. Anyone interested in helping to promote all forms of art for individuals with disabilities may join the Charlottesville/Albemarle VSA Arts Committee. The committee works closely with VSA Arts of Virginia, an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, dedicated to promoting the creative power in people with disabilities. For program information, call Mildred Spicer (434) 970-3264, Jean Wilhelm (434) 296-3518 or Sarah Blech (434) 975-9400.

Puffin Foundation Artist Grant Awards

Average grant awards are $1,000 to $2,500 each.
Deadline: December 30, 2007

The Puffin Foundation makes grants to emerging artists in the fields of art, music, theater, dance, photography, and literature whose works due to their genre and/or social philosophy might have difficulty being aired.

Grants from the Puffin Foundation can only be awarded to permanent residents and citizens of the United States. U.S. citizens whose projects encompass work in other countries are still eligible to apply. The foundation does not have the means to fund large film/documentary proposals, grants for travel, continuing education, or the writing or publishing of books. Visit the foundation's Web site for information on requesting an application and for descriptions of funded projects.

Funding to Support Arts in K-12 Curriculm

Partners in the Arts awards grants of $250 - $10,000 to support classroom-based projects that integrate visual, literary, and/or performing arts into the K-12 curriculum. Letters of Intent for projects that will take place between February 2008 - February 2009 are due October 29 by 5 p.m.

The Partners in the Arts grant writing handbook and artist registry are now available on our website: http://www.partnersinthearts.com/.

For more information, please contact Rebecca Jones, Director of Partners in
the Arts at 340-5280 or rebecca@richmondarts.org

Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation-AAPD Congressional Internship Program

The national office of VSA arts partners with Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation. They've passed along another Mitsubishi opportunity to share with the network:

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is accepting applications for a congressional internship program for college students (sophomores and juniors) with disabilities.

Students will work on Capitol Hill in congressional offices for eight (8) weeks and acquire valuable experience in congressional office operations, public policy development, and constituents' roles in the legislative and political processes. The internship program, administered by AAPD, was created in 2002 through a grant from Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation. Students will receive free housing, a stipend of $1,500.00, and round trip airfare to Washington D.C. They will work with a congressional staff member on a significant policy issue.

Applications are due December 14, 2007. http://www.aapd.com/internships/internship08/MEAFinternInfo08.htm

Charlottesville/Albemarle VSA Arts Workshop

PROGRAM: From Brainstorming to Book Signing
FRIDAY, 5, 2007, 10:00 – 12 Noon Workshop
12 – 1:30 PM Pizza Lunch and Discussion with Workshop Leader
TONSLER RECREATION CENTER, 501 CHERRY AVENUE

Nancy Ruth Patterson, an award winning novelist from Roanoke, will discuss many aspects of writing from personal and professional purposes and hints on getting published. The workshop will be interactive with participants doing a short writing to share with group if you feel comfortable sharing. After workshop there will be pizza and informal discussion with one another. Nancy will be available to answer questions and briefly critique writings by VSA writers who are interested in doing so.

Nancy Ruth is the author of The Christmas Cup, The Shiniest Rock of All, A Simple Gift, The Winner’s Walk and many articles on the craft of writing. Her first two novels were professionally adapted as plays by Mill Mountain Theatre. She takes particular joy in sharing her journey as a writer with those who love to read. She also loves to show anyone who secretly dreams about writing how to wake up and get started.

Cost/RSVP: $15 Partial Scholarships available to sign up call Mildred Spicer 970-3264

Event Sponsors are VSA Arts of Charlottesville/Albemarle, and Charlottesville and Albemarle Parks & Recreation Departments.