Greetings

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Barnett Symposium on the Arts and Public Policy (http://uas.osu.edu/program/2010-lawrence-and-isabel-barnett-symposium). This year's theme was International Cultural Connections: The Times, They Are A'Changin. From Columbus to Kettering to Washington, DC to Santiago, Chile, our cultures are becoming increasingly connected and new strategies for cultural exchanges are emerging. At VSA Ohio we strive to connect Ohioans with valuable resources, opportunities, and information from around the world to advance your involvement in the arts. As advertised over the past few months, it is finally time for the 2010 VSA International Festival, which will convene in Washington, DC June 6 - 12. I am proud to say Ohio will be well represented among the participating 50 states and 51 countries.

_The Dancing Wheels Company (Cleveland) - will perform as part of Locomotion, which will feature 3 dance companies from Massachusetts, Florida, and Ohio, June 7, Sidney Harman Hall.

_Adrian Colton (grade 3, Donnelsville) - Ohio's winner for the CVS All Kids Can....Create! exhibition, State of the Art. The exhibition will debut at Washington, D.C.'s Union Station from May 24 - June 12, 2010 before beginning a two-year tour to children's museums across the country

_Leni Anderson (Columbus) and Jon Berge (Columbus) had visual art accepted into Revealing Culture, a groundbreaking exhibition of contemporary art on display at the Smithsonian Institution's International Gallery from June 8 - Aug. 29

International Education Conference Presentations:
   _Lalene Kay & David Kay (Cleveland) will present a music-making workshop, Traditional American Blues - Everyone Join In!
   _Derek Mortland will present Stones Floating on Water, a multi-media performance and discussion with 4 other teaching artist fellows
   _Derek Mortland & Erin Hoppe will present Teaching Curriculum Inclusively Through the Arts, and highlight VSAO's Adaptation, Integration, and the Arts program
   _Patty Mitchell (consultant, Athens) will present Pathways to Employment- Artist Training Studios: Integrating Art and Career Development with several other panelists

Ohio is home to many talented and dedicated individuals working to express themselves creatively, build community and understanding through the arts, and make an impact on our economy and society. As times rapidly change and the need to connect in new and unique ways grows, VSAO will work with you. This summer we will unveil a mural celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities act, a brand new www.vsao.org, and new partnership opportunities. Stay tuned for a report from the International Festival and other exciting opportunities!

All the best, Erin Hoppe, executive director

From VSA Ohio

Call for Art: ADA Mural Project, deadline extended! - Monday, June 7
The 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) this July is a milestone for disability rights, and celebrations are planned throughout the country.  VSA Ohio will mark the advancement of individuals with disabilities, while recognizing the work still to do, at the intersection of art and community with a mural. With support from the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission the mural will be unveiled at the Ohio Statehouse on July 26 then tour the state to advocate for arts and disability issues.

Individuals and artists with disabilities from across Ohio are asked to consider the impact of the ADA on your life as a person with a disability, on your life as an artist, how it has opened doors in your community, and/or your expectations for the next 20 years under the ADA.  VSA Ohio invites Ohio artists with disabilities and all Ohioans to submit their reflections in the form of sketches, photographs, paintings, sculpture, poetry, and short stories. 

Master muralist Kong Ho will oversee the design and construction of the mural and try to incorporate all entries. A number of artists will be selected to visit Columbus and assist with the mural creation in late July. For details of the project, call for art, and how to submit entries visit www.vsao.org and click on the Call for Art document, available for download in rich text format. For additional information contact Derek or Erin at 614-241-5325.

Accessible Expressions Ohio 2010 Catalog Now Available Online
View the catalog of images from 95 Ohio artists with disabilities and the 112 works on tour throughout Ohio. Much of the art is available for sale - to purchase a piece of art call 614-241-5325. The catalog is available for download in pdf format on the VSAO website: http://www.vsao.org/homepage/AEO%202010_Catalog.pdf.

Become a fan of VSA Ohio Facebook!
Visit www.faceboko.com to get and stay connected to VSAO activities and events, network with other VSAO artists, and spread the word about VSAO's work and mission.

Service Divisions at work in Ohio Communities
Local groups of committed individuals and organizations have helped to make VSA Ohio truly a statewide service organization since its founding in 1986. This year VSAO welcomes two new service divisions: Southwest Ohio and Athens County. Southwest will support a theater performance and Athens will host a gallery Q&A with artists. VSAO looks forward to deepening our partnerships with these regions.

VSA Ohio/Wayne Center for the Arts & Tri-County ESC
Project Partnership is a year-long community partnership that brings approximately 100 high school special education students from Ashland, Holmes, and Wayne County schools to Wayne Center for art-making activities designed to teach self-sufficiency, advocacy, and determination throughout the year. This May the 15th annual program culminated with extended time for students in an art form of their choice, pizza lunch, and a performance by Dancing Wheels. Congratulations on another great year that demonstrated the power of the arts to increase participation, adaptation, and team work!

VSA Ohio/Cleveland Area
The Arts Along the Midway was held on May 13 at the Cuyahoga County Fair Grounds. Hundreds of individuals with and without disabilities enjoyed an array of art-making activities, performances, a visit from NASA, and award presentations by local TV celebrity, Robin Swaboda-Wagner. Great job on creating another inclusive, accessible, and fun art experiences for participants of all abilities!

Photo: The Rocky River ACC Choir performs for attendees beneath an Ohio State Fair banner at the Arts Along the Midway Festival.

Congratulations to....!

VSA Ohio/Stark County
Lisa Hicklin, performance director, received The Junior League of Canton's "President's Award," which goes to a woman who has given outstanding volunteer service in one particular area of the community. Lisa was also inducted into the 2010 YWCA's Stark County Women's Hall of Fame in the Arts/Performing Arts category.
Norma Capocci, was awarded the Timken Distinguished Alumnus by the Timken High School Alumni Association.
Access to the arts and arts education are certain to be advanced in the capable hands of these leaders.

Andrew Reach, Cleveland
Andrew's work The Wonder of Bruce was selected for the 74th Midyear Exhibition at the Butler Institute of Art. This annual juried exhibition is open to artists over 18 years of age who reside within the United States and was judged by Ronnie Landfield this year. The Wonder of Bruce is a tribute to the amazing and wonderful person that is Bruce. The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio. Show dates are June 27 - Aug 22, 2010. For more information call 330-743-1107, x123.
Andrew also presented Marketing My Art, at the May 26 Careers in the Arts Workshop in Cleveland.
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Have a success story about your art or your community? Share it with us by emailing info@vsao.org or calling 614-241-5325.

From VSA

VSA International Festival - June 6-12, 2010: Washington, D.C.
From June 6-12, 2010, VSA- the international organization on arts and disability-will bring together artists, educators, researchers, and policymakers with and without disabilities from around the world for a multicultural celebration of the arts and arts education. The Festival will feature visual, performing, literary, and media artists and a guest list that includes more than 2,000 participants from all corners of the globe. The 2010 International VSA Festival will be the largest arts event featuring artists with disabilities to take place in Washington, D.C., to date. Read more at http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/festivals/09-10/vsa/.

Arte Postale: An International Visual Arts and Writing Exchange
Arte Postale is an inclusive international visual arts exchange program designed for classroom students with and without disabilities. The program creates valuable cross-cultural educational experiences by forming relationships between students as they study and communicate about their lives. Students learn to express themselves in artistic ways through this inclusive approach to visual art in the classroom. Their creativity and views of the world develop as their imagination travels to remote lands and they discover the richness of other cultures. Open to students ages 7-14 with or without disabilities and teachers with all levels of visual arts experience.Visit http://www.vsarts.org/x1484.xml for more information on how to get involved.

VSA Online Artist Registry
VSA's online artist listing is an extension of VSA's Artists Registry that includes over 1,600 visual, performing, and literary artists with disabilities. The Artists Registry is the leading source for the selection of artists to participate in VSA's programs and events and fulfilling partner requests. Members receive announcements on upcoming calls for talent, regular electronic broadcasts, and VSA's informative newsletters. Artists have the opportunity to be featured in the online listing that connects artists directly to visitors of VSA's Web site. Soon, members will have exclusive access to an online community of artists for networking and queries through discussion boards.Learn more at http://www.vsarts.org/prebuilt/artists/registry/artistlisting.cfm.

Opportunities

Ohio Arts Presenters Network, Annual Showcase, deadline June 11
The 2010 OAPN Annual Showcase Conference will be held in downtown Columbus, October 24-26. This three day event will contain 36 showcases, an exhibit hall, professional development workshops and lots of networking opportunities. For those interested in showcasing at the 50th Anniversary conference, please note the application deadline is Friday, June 11, 2010. For more information or to fill out an online application, please visit http://www.oapn.org/2010showcase.html.

Arts Management Internship Program, deadline June 15
The DeVos Institute of Arts Management Internship Program at the Kennedy Center provides valuable on-the-job instruction for current college students and recent graduates pursuing careers in arts management. Interns enjoy close working relationships with experienced arts management professionals, hands-on work opportunities, weekly seminars, and an integrated blend of independent and collective learning experiences. Internships are full-time, last 12-14 weeks, and are offered two times a year (Fall and Winter/Spring). For more information and the application visit http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/artsmanagement/internships/.

Scholarship Opportunity for Students with Down Syndrome, deadline July 16
The Joshua O'Neill and Zeshan Tabani Enrichment Fund offers financial assistance to young adults (18+) with Down syndrome who wish to continue to enrich their lives by enrolling in postsecondary programs or taking enrichment classes that will help them to enrich life through employment, independent living skills, life skills or another way.  To date, over thirty students have received grants from NDSS to help cover the costs of pursuing their postsecondary education and enrichment goals. Visit www.ndss.org to download the application, or contact Vanessa Quick at 800-221-4602.

Visual Arts Fellowships, deadline July 30
The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) and The Columbus Museum of Art (CMA) encourage and support cultural development in the Columbus area. In this capacity, GCAC and CMA have partnered to present the 2010 Individual Artists Fellowship Program. The program provides unrestricted grants to artists of outstanding talent and ability who currently live in the City of Columbus and/or Franklin County, and have done so for at least one year. The following categories will be considered for the 2010 Visual Arts awards:
· Crafts
· Photography
· 2-D Visual Arts (painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media)
· 3-D Visual Arts (sculpture in any media or combination, and installations)

NEW!! As part of this exciting partnership, the Columbus Museum of Art will host an exhibition in 2011 of the 2010 Individual Artists Fellowship recipients and Dresden residency winners.
The application will be available in GoArts June 1 - July 30, 5:00p. Winners will be announced by the end of August. The 2010 Individual Artists Fellowship Guide (Visual Arts.) is available at http://58cf7a0ebb6c3c00129b7eb2588312034956a71e.gripelements.com/docs/2010_iaf_guide.pdf.

To receive updates and access the application after June 1, make sure to register on GOArts, GCAC's online application system. In the meantime, GCAC continues to offer professional development opportunities for artists through our OPPArt (Opportunities for Artists) series. To learn more about OPPArt and join the mailing list, which includes information about the program along with calls for entry, job postings and more, e-mail Ruby Classen at rclassen@gcac.org.

Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council Seeks New Members, deadline EXTENDED July 31
The ODDC is currently seeking applicants for membership terms beginning in October 2010. Council membership must comply with categories listed in the federal DD Act. Openings this year will be for 2 individuals with a developmental disability and 1 parent or guardians of children with a developmental disability. Read more about requirements, term, opportunity, and application process by visiting http://ddc.ohio.gov/new%20membership.htm.

Art & Clay on Main accepting applications for consignment gallery
The Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities is preparing for the grand re-opening of Art & Clay on Main in July and invites you to submit an application to display your artwork in the gallery space. Art & Clay on Main will use this opportunity to display the talents of artists with and without disabilities. They are interested in displaying the work of all Ohio artists, especially those from Fairfield County and central Ohio. For a copy of the application and policies please contact Erin Hoppe at 614-241-5325.

LEAD Conference in San Diego
August 25-28 are the dates for the 2010 LEAD Conference. The conference opens with eight in-depth pre-conference workshops followed by three full days of interactive discussions, including a legal session with a representative from the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. New to LEAD this year is the first of a series of capacity building workshops. These hands-on sessions are open to individuals who work with arts administrators to provide high-quality accessibility services. Our inaugural seminar will train new describers and provide professional development for those who are experienced. Get added to the mailing list and receive updates about conference events by visiting http://www.kennedy-center.org/accessibility/education/lead/conference.html.

ADA Survey - How do people with disabilities in Ohio rate their community's implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?This survey asks citizens to identify how they view their community's current implementation and provide opinions and ideas about how accessibility can be improved. People with disabilities, their family members, and their advocates are invited to complete the ADA Survey so that their voices are heard when accessibility issues are being addressed in their communities.  The Survey is available online at http://www.TheADASurvey.org. To request the ADA Survey in an alternative format contact L. Scott Lissner at 614-292-6207.
New DOJ publication: Access To Medical Care For Individuals With Mobility Disabilities
The US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, has issued a new technical assistance publication titled, "Access To Medical Care For Individuals With Mobility Disabilities."  This 19-page publication provides guidance for medical care professionals on the ADA's requirement to provide accessible health care to individuals with mobility disabilities and includes an overview of general ADA requirements, commonly asked questions, and illustrated examples of accessible facilities, examination rooms, and medical equipment. Available on-line at http://www.ada.gov/medcare_ta.htm.

Resources
Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor
The U.S. Department of Labor has unveiled a new tool to help America's employers ensure their employment policies and practices do not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. "Today, we made it easier for employers of all sizes to access the talents of the 36 million Americans with disabilities," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Kathleen Martinez. "By providing this interactive and easy-to-use online tool, both workers and employers can readily access and understand their rights and responsibilities under our federal disability nondiscrimination laws." The online Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor, available at http://www.dol.gov/elaws/odep.htm, helps employers quickly and simply determine which federal disability nondiscrimination laws apply to their business or organization and their responsibilities under them.

Creating an Inclusive Environment: A Handbook for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in National and Community Service Programs
This handbook provides information about creating an inclusive environment, a brief historical overview of social perceptions of people with disabilities, disability-related laws, how to write inclusive service descriptions, recruitment and outreach, and accommodations issues and legal requirements. Available at http://www.serviceandinclusion.org/handbook/index.php.

Fractured Atlas Offers Free Online Classes for Artists
Fractured Atlas, a nonprofit arts support organization based in New York City, has announced its online courses for artists will now be offered free of charge. There are currently six courses on topics such as marketing, fundraising, and professional identity and two video workshops on independent contractors vs. employees and a wellness program for dancers, with more to be added during the coming months. These courses provide a great introduction to the confusing and daunting process of being a professional independent artist. Courses include embedded video segments by experts, optional assignments, opportunities to participate in discussions on their message boards, and links to further resources. You must sign up to be a member of Fractured Atlas in order to access the courses-membership is free. Visit http://courses.fracturedatlas.org.

Keep Arts In Schools.org
Keep Arts in Schools is a website for arts education advocates (http://www.keepartsinschools.org/index.php). The website is an online community for arts education advocates, focusing on the efforts and successes of local organizations, communities, teachers and leading voices throughout the country who are all working to Keep Arts in Schools. There are useful tools for arts education advocates, including an advocacy toolkit, research, and testimonials. This is a project of the Ford Foundation's Integrating the Arts and Education Reform initiative. Cleveland, Ohio has been involved with Keep Arts in School through the Cleveland Integrated Arts Collaborative, which is a consortium of more than 30 arts and cultural organizations, was spearheaded by Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio and partners closely with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

News

MATCO Services has moved!
Address: 201 Maple Street, London, OH 43140.
Phone: 740-852-7054
Email: info@matcoserv.com
Matco Services is proud of their more than 30 year history of advocacy, employment, and adult day services for people with disabilities.

Ohio Provides Grant Funding Toward New Arts School Construction
"The state will provide financial aid toward the construction of a new, state-of-the-art building for the School of Creative and Performing Arts in Over the Rhine. State Rep. Dale Mallory announced the State Controlling Board's decision to approve spending $4 million toward the project. The grant will be used to reimburse the Cincinnati Public School District for some of its expenses on the school. 'For nearly 40 years, the School of Creative and Performing Arts has been a shining star in our community that attracts students from every corner of the state and region,' said Mallory. 'The state's investment in the new building marks a continued commitment to our talented young people who have an interest and passion for the arts.' The new school building will be the nation's first K-12 public school devoted to the arts." Read more of the 5/24/10 WLWT-TV article, http://bit.ly/9O7jBf.

Columbus Museum of Art Announces $1.5 million gift
"The family of William and Sarah Ross Soter have donated $1.5 million to the Columbus Museum of Art to endow a new curator of photography position. Photography has long been a passion of the Soter family, and they have contributed a significant collection to the museum in the past. 'This gift will ensure that the photography program continues to grow in scope and prominence. I hope it will also inspire others to follow their own passions, endowing other positions that resonate with them,' said Sarah Ross Soter. Read more of the Foundation Center article here: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/news/story.jhtml?id=293200012.

Governor Strickland Praises Cleveland Arts District's Economic Impact
"Governor Ted Strickland touted the Gordon Square Arts District when he addressed about 200 business and civic leaders gathered for a leadership breakfast [last week] at the recently renovated Capitol Theatre. Strickland said the district is a great example of how to create jobs and investment in a city neighborhood. 'You are creating long-term economic growth and new jobs,' said Strickland. 'In the short term, you are creating construction jobs. In fact, dollar for dollar, an investment in a building rehabilitation project creates more jobs than an investment even in a highway construction project.' Team NEO, an economic clearinghouse for the 16 counties in Ohio's northeast corner, has tracked the economic impact of the arts district as a dramatic $317 million in Cleveland alone through 2013." Read more of the 5/22/10 WKYC-TV article, http://bit.ly/c4bfc9.

Michael Kaiser to Continue as Kennedy Center President
Michael M. Kaiser, president of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts since 2001, has agreed to remain in his post through 2014-past the scheduled expiration of his contract next year. "Congress has called on us to be a national culture center, and I take that nomenclature very seriously," Mr. Kaiser told the Washington Post on May 5. In addition, Michigan philanthropists Betsy and Dick DeVos announced that they are donating $22.5 million to continue the arts training work that Kaiser initiated at the Kennedy Center. With that unprecedented support, Kaiser will remain part of the Kennedy Center's leadership structure through 2017, directing what will be named the DeVos Institute of Arts Management. Kaiser will assume that role in late 2014, after his contract extension as president is complete." Read the Washington Post article here.

Students with disabilities opt for arts, not IT
"A study suggests that students with disabilities are more likely to study the creative arts than any other subject. The analysis by Danielle Farrel, a research assistant at the University of the West of Scotland who is herself disabled, found that contrary to popular belief, students with disabilities are less likely to study technical subjects such as IT..." Read the rest of the March 11, Times Higher Education article here.

Arts & Disability in Ohio Calendar

June 1 - 30, Accessible Expressions Ohio at the Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery, Columbus. Visit http://www.oac.state.oh.us/riffe/ for more information.

June 4, 5:00-7:00pm, Opening Reception - Touching Light: The Annual Athens Photographic Project Group Exhibition, Athens
The Athens Photographic Project (APP) proudly presents the work of 38 regional artists at its annual group exhibition. Please join us at the opening reception to meet the artists and celebrate their work created during this year's photography class. Exhibition juror is Jennifer Eisenhauer, PhD, artist and assistant professor at the Ohio State University. APP is an award winning fine arts program that uses photography as a tool to promote mental health recovery and community integration. For more information about APP email athensphoto@earthlink.net or call 740-227-8796. On view June 4 - 12 at the Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Ln, Athens OH 45701.

June 15, 2:00-3:30 est, Disability Statistics: What do they tell us?
Join this 90 minute audio conference session as we explore the various sources of statistics related to disability (how many, unemployment, where, etc), how to use them and interpret them and what can we expect to learn about disability from the 2010 US Census. Speaker:Andrew Houtenville, Associate Professor of Economics, University of New Hampshire. Attend for no charge at OSU in Columbus (email adaohio@aol.com by June 8); The Ability Center of Greater Toledo (call 419-885-5733); LEAP in Cleveland (call 216-696-2716, ext. 129); SOCIL in Lancaster (call 740-689-1494). For attendance elsewhere register at www.ada-audio.org.  A digital recording of the session is archived at www.adagreatlakes.org.

August 18, 2010 Horn/Walter Awards Banquet
Hosted by the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities, there will be 16 award recipients for the R.A. Horn Outstanding Student Achievement Award and 16 award recipients for the Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator Award. The banquet will be at the Villa Milano Conference Center, 1630 Schrock Road, Columbus, OH. For more information contact Connie Hudson, Conference Coordinator, at 937-842-2150.

Save the dates:
September 20 - 21, 2010 Special Education Leadership Conference on Inclusive Practice
Sponsored by Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children at the Columbus Convention Center
November 30, 8th Annual Partnering for Progress Conference 
Presented by Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities at Crowne Plaza North, Columbus.
Visit http://www.ocecd.org/conferences.php for information on how to register for both conferences.

In Memory of Carol Smith
Carol P. Smith, age 60, of Pickerington, passed away on Wednesday, May 26, at Select Specialty Hospital in Columbus, OH, after a valiant, lengthy battle with Muscular Dystrophy and related illnesses.

Born December 19, 1949, to the late Thomas and Dorothy Potter. Carol was a graduate of Wilmington College and retired as an elementary and high school teacher for the Amanda-Clearcreek School System. Following her retirement, she continued her love of working with children by serving as a library assistant for Columbus Independence High School and volunteering for the Pickerington Elementary School Library. Carol is survived by her husband, Daniel P. Smith; son, Matthew James Smith of the home; brother, James T. (Jan) Potter, Jamestown, NY; sisters, Martha J. (Robert) Clarke, Lander, WY, and Barbara E. Potter, Ashville, NY...and all her many, many friends too numerous to mention. Friends may visit 5-7:00 p.m., on Friday, June 11, at Peace United Methodist Church, 235 Diley Road, Pickerington, OH, 43147 where a memorial service will immediately follow at 7:00 p.m., Rev. James Riggs officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Ohio MDA, 6600 Busch Blvd, Suite 210, Columbus, OH 43229 (Please memo: "Carol P. Smith Scholarship" on all scholarship donations). (Taken from the May 28 Lancaster Eagle Gazette.)

Carol served on the VSAO Board of Directors from 2007 - 2009. Her time and passion was greatly appreciated and her advocacy efforts for people with multiple abilities will be missed.

VSA Ohio Board of Directors

Allison Dickey, President
Connie Page, President-Elect
Karis Spence, Vice President
Donna Collins, Secretary
Benjamin Russ, Treasurer
James Chapple, Past-President
Jennifer CaJacob
David Dohnal
Carol Farmer
Thomas Kromer
Jana Perry
Stephen Pleasnick
Greta Robertson
Jenny Swinerton

VSA Ohio Staff

Erin Hoppe, Executive Director
Derek Mortland, Artist Services Coordinator
Linda Johnson, Administrative Assistant

Empowering individuals with disabilities, creatively and inclusively, through the arts.

VSA Ohio is a member of the international network of VSA, an affiliate of the
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. VSA is creating a society where
people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. Funding for VSA
Ohio is provided by VSA, the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio Arts
Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, individual, and corporate sponsorship.

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