Expressive Arts Workshop

Exploring the ARTS in Life, Work & Community
with Jena e. Leake, M.A., R.E.A.T.
Registered Expressive Arts Therapist
Expressive arts is the interdisciplinary practice of working with all the arts visual arts, dance/movement, writing/poetry, drama, music, storytelling and imagery)to inspire creative expression, human development, healing & transformation. This experiential workshop is an opportunity to explore the arts for personal and professional growth. You will learn about the exciting field of Expressive Arts Therapy, Education & Coaching while engaging in individual and community art-making experiences that will inspire your creativity in art and life. As we dialogue with our art and each other, we will discover new ideas and resources for enlivening our personal and professional lives. This is an excellent workshop for therapists, caregivers, educators, artists and community professionals. No previous art experience necessary. Co-sponsored by Charlottesville Parks & Recreation and VSA arts of Virginia. Workshop details:
Date and time: Friday, March 7 from 10:00am until 2:00pm
Location: Tonsler Park Center, 501 Cherry Avenue, Charlottesville, VA
Register: Charlottesville Parks & Recreation 434.970.3264

All Kids Can Create

You can create, and creating leads to learning! VSA arts and CVS Caremark All Kids Can invite children and youth to submit artwork showing us your creativity. Explore new activities, challenge your perceptions, discover your inner artist and submit your work of art today!
Deadline: Friday, March 14, 2008
More information: All Kids Can Create

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Accepting Applications for ArtsCONNECT Program

This may be of interest to those of you working with outside presenters and workshop instructors:

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Accepting Applications for ArtsCONNECT Program
Deadline: March 24, 2008
The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation ( http://midatlanticarts.org/ ) serves the states and territories of Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia. The foundation's ArtsCONNECT program supports collaborations among presenters to facilitate tours of artists involving all the performing arts disciplines across the mid-Atlantic region.
Only presenter consortia are eligible to apply to the program. For the purposes of the program, the foundation defines a presenter as an organization that selects and engages professional touring artists to perform work before audiences in their communities. Presenters manage all the local requirements for the performance and facilitate the interaction between artists and audiences. Producing organizations, which create artistic work or assemble artists to perform as ensembles for performances, are not eligible to apply.
Each presenter partner in the consortium must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization or a unit of government. The presenter consortium must include at least three presenting organizations from at least two mid-Atlantic states.
ArtsCONNECT projects must utilize professional touring artists from performing arts disciplines, including dance, music, opera, theater, jazz, and folk/traditional arts, that have been touring at least two years. At least one complementary activity (exhibitions, lecture/demonstrations, master classes, residencies, workshops, etc.) must take place as part of the tour.
ArtsCONNECT grant amounts are determined as a percentage of the contracted artist's fee (including commissioning fees, if applicable). ArtsCONNECT grants require a one-to-one cash match. Presenters must apply for a minimum of $500 per engagement.
Visit the foundation's Web site for complete program guidelines, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.
RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10010973/midatlanticarts

Press for Loudoun County District

Congratulations to VSA arts of Virginia - Loudoun County for the Washington Post article today. Read the article here:
Curtain to Rise on Arts Center
Performance Space Built on Barn Site

Announcing the 2008 VSA arts Apprenticeship at the Williamstown Theatre Festival

For the third year, VSA arts will partner with the renowned Williamstown Theatre Festival in Williamstown, Massachusetts to continue the VSA arts Apprenticeship. The VSA arts Apprenticeship provides a unique insight into the world of a professional theater for students with a disability, ages 19 – 24, interested in expanding their theater education and knowledge.

Every summer, the Williamstown Theatre Festival Apprentice Program offers 70 promising students classes in acting, voice, and movement. Discussions and master classes with notable professionals are also a part of the apprentice experience. Apprentices also learn about the different aspects of running a professional theater company by working in each of the various departments at the Festival on a rotating basis. Many former apprentices have gone on to successful careers in the professional theater.

VSA arts is now accepting applications for this prestigious program. The selected VSA arts Apprentices will have all expenses covered by VSA arts, to include:
* Application fee ($30)
* Tuition, room and board ($3,500)
* Round trip coach airfare to and from Williamstown, Massachusetts, including ground transportation
* Travel, room and board for a personal care assistant, if required
* Reasonable accommodation for the Apprentice’s disability

Download the official rules and guidelines here.
Download the official application here.

Call for Entries: Visual Arts

Derivative Composition

Deadline: Friday, March 21, 2008

VSA arts is seeking visual artists with disabilities whose work is inspired by the performing arts.

Work must have a visual component. Eligible media include, but are not limited to two- and three-dimensional art (painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, textile, glass, etc.) Applicants from a wide range of practices, such as digital arts, installation, and time-based media, are also encouraged to apply.

Open to artists (ages 18 and over) who are committed to their artistic progress and who have a physical, cognitive, or mental disability.

Learn more here.

NCLD's 2008 "Voices of LD" Competition

From NCLD:
Calling all creative people with learning disabilities.

In honor of our 31st anniversary, the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) is looking for self-portraits that capture what life is like for individuals with learning disabilities (LD).

What story does your portrait tell? Share with us expressions of your hopes, dreams, struggles and successes. Show us what the world is like through your eyes. Help us to celebrate the unique vision of children and adults affected by LD.

Selected submissions will be showcased on our Web site and at our Annual Benefit Dinner in April. In addition, our grand prize will be a trip to New York City and a chance to attend our Annual Benefit Dinner honoring Ted Turner. Two runners-up will receive $200 each. Prizes will be awarded for outstanding works in each of the following categories:

* Children: 4-12 years old
* Teens: 13-17 years old
* Adults: 18 and older

To enter, please send NCLD your submission(s), a photo of the artist, a short paragraph (three to five sentences) written by the artist detailing their experience with LD, and completed release forms. Grand prize winners must provide relevant documentation of a specific learning disability.

If you have any questions, please email Teneille Craig. All entries must be received no later than Friday, February 8, 2008. Click here to download rules and requirements of the competition.