A Key to Careers in the Arts for Individuals with Disabilities

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A Key to Careers in the Artsfor Individuals
with Disabilities
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VSA arts of Florida

• Mission
• to create a society where people with
  disabilities can learn through, participate in
  and enjoy the arts.

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VSA arts

• VISION of an inclusive community
• STRENGTH in shared resources
• ARTISTIC expression that unites us all
• Promoting the creative power in people with
  disabilities

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VSA arts

• Founded in 1974 by Jean Kennedy Smith
• VSA arts has offices in 43 states, the District
  of Columbia and 60 countries
• An affiliate of the Kennedy Center for the
  Performing Arts

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VSA Programs

• Program Partners
• Professional development
• Artist residencies
• Technical support to arts, disability and
  education organizations
• Universal Design and Cultural Access
• Exhibition opportunities
• In 2005-06 VSAFL served 45 counties and directly
  served 150,000 Floridians

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VSA arts of Florida

• The VSAFL Artist Registry is a statewide roster
  of artists with disabilities using all media
  types.
• The registry was developed in 2001, from a grant
  by the Able Trust Foundation, to promote artists
  with disabilities who live in Florida.

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People First Language Speaking with Awareness

• USE
• People with disabilities
• People who use wheelchairs or wheelchair user
• People who are blind or have low vision
• People who are deaf or hard of hearing

• DONT USE
• The handicapped
• Confined to a wheelchair or wheelchair bound
• The blind
• Deaf and dumb or mute

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What does it take to have a career in the arts?

• Skills
• Business plan (for self employment)
• Resume/portfolio
• Resources technical, financial

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Why is VSAFL involved?

• 2005 VSA arts of Florida was awarded a National
  Endowment of the Arts (NEA) grant.
• Statewide focus groups outcomes
• Acceptance of the arts as a career
• Professional development is needed to prepare for
  a career in the arts
• A career in the arts is valuable

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Why is VSAFL involved?

• In 2006 VSAFL received a second NEA grant to work
  with state, public and private organizations to
  increase understanding of the viability of a
  career in the arts.

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Careers in the Arts

• What is a career in the arts?
• Who is a professional?
• You make money with your art or by working in
  arts-related fields.
• You apply your talents, skills and interests in
  creative ways.
• The ability to get your art or art interests to a
  level where they can make money for you.

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FACT

• There are an estimated 38,000 arts businesses
  in the state of Florida - employing over 162,000
  employees.

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Education and Training

• Requirements vary depending on career choice
• Comprehensive study
• Technical training
• Practical experience

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Work Context and Earnings

• Artists work in many areas
• For profit
• Not for profit
• Self employment
• Artists traverse in and out of these sectors.

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Barriers to Careers

• Pamela Walker, an artist with a disability,
  contends all artists require a multi-layered
  array of opportunities to develop their careers
  which include
• funding, training and education, showcase
  opportunities, work experience, peer support and
  networking opportunities.

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Additional Barriers..

• Lack of access to the arts community
• Architectural and programmatic
• Limited access to training and education
• Financial
• Art careers are discouraged by parents, schools
  and the community

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Career Opportunities

• Art careers may offer personal satisfaction and
  lifestyle choices that go beyond monetary rewards

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Careers in the Arts go beyond creating artwork

• People interested in the arts can work with a
  variety of organizations
• Dance companies
• Government agencies
• Museums
• Nonprofit organizations
• Schools
• Symphony orchestras

The jobs listed can be found on the VSA arts of
Florida Artists Registry at www.vsafl.org
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Careers in arts services include

• Director of Arts Council
• Fundraiser
• Grants Manager
• Grants Writer
• Public Relations Specialist
• Researcher/ Research Assistant
• Arts Administrator

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Careers in Literary Arts

• Advertising copywriter
• Author
• Book publishing editor
• Copy editor
• Critic
• Editor
• Greeting card writer
• Journalist/reporter

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Careers in Literary Arts

• Librarian
• Literary Agent
• Playwright
• Poet
• Proofreader
• Screenwriter
• Technical Writer
• Technology Documentation Specialist
• Translator

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Performing Arts

• Music
• - Music groups
• - Orchestras
• - Composing arranging
• - Recording and playback equipment
• - Recorded music sales
• - Studios
• - Concert management
• - Instruments (manufacture distribution)

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Performing Arts

• Theatre
• - Professional companies
• - Amateur companies
• Dance
• - Dance companies
• Opera
• - Opera companies
• Performers
• - Entertainers
• - Actors

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Performing Arts

• Services and Facilities
• - Costumes/scenery rental
• - Theatrical producers
• - Casting and booking agents
• - Ticket agencies
• - Performing arts centers
• - Dance halls studios
• - Theatrical equipment

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Film, Radio and T.V.

• Motion Pictures
• - Production
• - Distribution
• - Services
• - Equipment
• - Theatres
• - Video tape rentals

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Film, Radio and TV

• Television
• - Stations
• - Producers
• Radio
• - Stations
• - Producers
• - Disc Jockeys

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Visual Arts

• Crafts
• - Stone, clay glass
• - Jewelry
• - Stained glass
• - Textiles
• - Home furnishing crafts
• Fine Arts
• - Artist studios
• - Art galleries

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Visual Arts

• Photography
• - Studios
• - Commercial photography
• - Photo finishing labs
• - Equipment
• Supplies and Services
• - Studio assistant
• - Floral designer
• - Framer
• - Web site designer

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Environmental and Product Design

• Architecture
• - Architects
• - Architecture supplies
• Design
• - Product Display
• - Commercial Industrial
• - Interior Designer
• - House/ Landscape

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Art Schools Services

• Arts Councils
• Schools Instruction
• - Art schools
• - Arts crafts instruction
• - Dance schools and instruction
• - Music drama schools
• Agents
• - Agents brokers
• - Patents licensing

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ASSISTIVE TECHOLOGY

• Any item or piece of equipment with its services
  which is used to increase, maintain, or improve
  the functional capabilities of individuals with
  disabilities.

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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT

• Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals
  with Disabilities Act of 1988 (The Tech Act)
• Was repealed and replaced with the Assistive
  Technology Act of 1998 (AT Act)
• Most recent reauthorization 2004

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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT

• The purposes of the ATA are
• To support states in sustaining and strengthening
  the AT needs of individuals with disabilities
• To support the investment in technology across
  federal agencies and departments that could
  benefit individuals with disabilities
• To support micro-loan programs to individuals
  wishing to purchase AT devices or services

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FAAST

• Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and
  Technology www.faast.org
• 1 in 14 Floridians has a disability.
• Device Loan Program
• AT Bay
• New website where people can buy, sell, or give
  away assistive technology.
• AT Bay is a free service.
• Recycle AT Reuse of AT is emerging as one of the
  ways to make AT more available.

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JAN

• Job Accommodation Network www.jan.wvu.edu
• Provides individualized worksite accommodations
  solutions
• Provides technical assistance regarding ADA and
  disability legislation
• Educates callers about self-employment options

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How does VSAFL work with Voc Rehab?

• Common question
• Does this artist have the ability and skills to
  pursue a career in the arts?

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Partnering With Voc Rehab

• VSAFL can link the client to professionals in
  specific areas for evaluation.
• VSAFL can also provide local resources for
  training and other related services.

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Resources

• Putting Creativity to Work
• Through this guide, vocational counselors will
  find many valuable resources.
• This book can be obtained by visiting ssa.gov (
  ICN 342351)

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Information for this presentation

• 2002 Statewide Forum on Careers in the Arts
  Report and Recommendations
• University of Tennessee Career Services
• Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities
• Putting Creativity to Work

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• 3500 E. Fletcher Avenue, Suite 234
• Tampa, Florida 33613
• 1-888-844-ARTS
• www.vsafl.org