VSAFL announces two new residency programs funded through local and state arts grants. Hand 'n Hand provides an inclusive classroom with a teaching artist for a total of 8 one hour sessions. This is followed by an artist with a disability working with the same students to create a collaborative artwork. A final exhibition showcasing one work from each student, the collaborative piece and a piece from the teaching artist will be held in a public space within the community. Hand 'n Hand is scheduled for Pasco, Sarasota and Hillsborough counties.

Creativity Expressed brings together a teaching artist and an artist with a disability to co- teach an 8 week residency. A final exhibition will be held showcasing the student's and artists' artwork.

VSA arts of Florida announces the Sixth Annual Exemplary Participant Recognition Program. Education professionals throughout the State of Florida are asked to nominate students in one of two categories: the first category is a student with a disability that has shown exemplary work in the Arts, the second category is a student with a disability that has shown dramatic personal growth or leadership through participation the arts. The winning student and runner-up in each category, and the nominating teacher will be awarded US Savings Bonds.

This year's nominations must be received no later than November 15, 2008. Feel free to contact me with any questions and or concerns. You may mail, fax or email the nomination forms to:
Lee M. Moniz

Congratulations to Florida Finalists for "Green Light" , a VSA arts annual call for entries to identify emerging artists with disabilities (ages 16-25) who demonstrate promise in the visual arts sponsored by Volkswagen of America, Inc. In total 16 artists were chosen for this prestigious competition. The awards will be given at a reception on Capitol Hill held September 24 and artwork from the awardees will be featured in exhibitions at the S. Dillon Ripley Center, Smithsonian Institution, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Following the initial showing, the Smithsonian exhibition will tour to college and university galleries for two years.
Awards of Excellence - $2,000
Alexander Appel (Tampa, Florida) - Age 19
Daniel McFarlane (Gainesville, Florida) - Age 24

VSAFL has continued to expand its artist residency partnership with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. The Arsht Center supported six adult residency performances during the spring and summer which culminated in a wonderful performance at its Studio Theater on June 24 for over 120 adults with disabilities and their guests who attend programs at ARC, the Center for Independent Living, Mactown and United Cerebral Palsy. .

VSA arts of Florida collaborated with the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs All Kids Included Initiative (AKI) to facilitate a program to feature Dwayne Zot's Arts for All. On August 1, 2008, over 100 students of all abilities participated in "Arts for All Day at the Park," utilizing the Zot Artz tools. For more information please visit www.zotartz.com.

A new program partner for VSAFL is the Shimmy Club, an organization that teaches the partner dance of Tango to students who are blind and visually impaired and has been featured on several national broadcasts.

The ArtThread Foundation and VSA arts of Florida have been awarded a $35,000 grant from The Able Trust to create an innovative program designed to help artists with disabilities in the greater Tampa Bay area achieve success as working artists. The "Work of Art" program will be a full-day training session this fall where artists will receive hands-on training in the technical and entrepreneurial skills needed to sustain

"We are very excited about this new program, and our partnership with the ArtThread Foundation," said Marian Winters, Executive Director of VSA arts of Florida. "The 'Work of Art' program aligns perfectly with one of our core principles - that all individuals with disabilities who aspire to careers in the arts should have the opportunity to develop appropriate skills."

ArtThread will provide technical support after the training, as well as a handbook containing the complete training presentation. A marketing campaign to promote the VSA artists' work will be implemented, and artists will have an opportunity for creative participation in the campaign.

The Able Trust, also known as the Governor's Alliance for Employment of Citizens With Disabilities, is a 501 (c)(3) public-private partnership established by the Florida legislature in 1990. Its mission is to be the leader in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities through fundraising, grant programs, public awareness, and education. Since its establishment The Able Trust has awarded over

The 2008 Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disabilities (LEAD) Conference presented by the Access Office of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts held August 21-24 was a tremendous success. Held at the Broward Center for the Performing arts, VSAFL was a co-sponsor along with the Center, and the State of Florida and the Division of Cultural Affairs. The attendance of over 230 was the largest in the 8 year history of the conference, AND 130 people attended from Florida - demonstrating that access to cultural organizations is a priority for the state. Thanks to VSAFL Board President, Wade Wetherington, for his welcoming remarks at the opening reception.

An attendee writes "I just wanted to send you a quick email to let you know how fabulous the LEAD Conference was last week. As a "first-timer" I learned so much and realized just how much my organization needs to do in regards to accessibility."

The content of this informational piece was developed in part through funding provided by the central office of VSA arts, under an award from the U.S. Department of Education. the content, however, does not necessarily reflect the policy of the U.S. Department of Education and endorsement should not be assumed. VSA arts of Florida is funded in part by VSA arts; Florida State, Division of Cutural Affairs, Kurt S. Browning, Secretary of State; The Florida Arts council, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Florida Department of Education and the University of South Florida.