EVENTS:

Wed., April 24 -
GISD Elmer Knopf Learning Center Festival,
1493 W. Maple Avenue, Flint. Contact: Jill Haug (jhaug@geneseeisd.org)

Tues., May 7 -
Clio Festival
Mott Community College Northern Tier on Vienna Road.
Contact: Misty Mercier (mmercier@geneseeisd.org)

Thursday, May 9 -
GISD Early Childhood Programs and Services
5089 Pilgrim Rd., Flint.
Contact: Keri Lay (klay@geneseeisd.org)

Thursday, May 23 -
GISD Project CHOICE
Festival at Flint Institute of Arts, Flint Cultural Center Campus Contact: Andrea LaMay (alamay@geneseeisd.org)

Club Create
(Art Club for Adults).
Cost $3 per session.
Second Tuesday of the month September through May,
4:00-5:30 PM,
Howe's Art Supply /
Swartz Creek Area Art Guild.
Contact: Kathy Cole
at 810.636.3896

Who We Are

VSA International (formerly Very Special Arts) was founded in 1974 by Jean Kennedy Smith as an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. VSA promotes arts, education, and creative expression involving children and adults with disabilities, thereby strengthening the human spirit and improving the quality of life for all. Its programs take place in more than 50 countries around the world and throughout the United States.

In 1977, VSA began increasing opportunities for experiences and training within educational and community programs for individuals with disabilities in Michigan through visual and performing arts. Today VSA Michigan benefits over 70,000 people per year in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and arts and community centers throughout the state.

In addition, the state office provides direct assistance to its affiliates, like Genesee County's, which started in 1991. Through artist residencies in visual and literary arts, creative drama and movement, and music with general education peers, over 15,000 individuals have learned through the arts. They have participated in festivals, attended performances, and exhibited their work and talents.

Hundreds of volunteers, including a core committee, have helped to make this possible throughout the years, especially through the support of Genesee Intermediate School District. VSA Michigan – Genesee County is a non-profit, tax exempt organization and raises its own operational funding. 100% of monies raised goes toward its mission.

Mission

VSA Michigan promotes creative power in people with disabilities.

Vision

VSA Michigan seeks to create an inclusive society where people with disabilities participate in, learn though, excel in, and enjoy the arts.

Guiding Principles

1. We respect people and focus on their abilities, not their disabilities.
   
2. We believe that the arts promote understanding and communication
   among all people.
   
3. We believe that the arts in their many forms enhance an individual's humanity.
   
4. We believe that the arts are more than a product; they are a process.
   
5. Every person deserves access to appropriate learning experiences in the arts.
   
6. All artists in schools should be appropriately prepared to include students with disabilities in their instruction.
   
7. All children, youth and adults with disabilities should have complete access to community cultural facilities and activities.
   
8. All individuals with disabilities who aspire to careers in the arts should have the opportunity to develop skills.

VSA Michigan- Genesee County is an affiliate of VSA Michigan.
VSA Michigan is a member of the international network of VSA, The International Organization on Arts and Disabilities, and an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Home    Programs    MTA Call For Art  2013 VSA Call For Art   Call For Art Entry Form    Events    Calendar 
Support Us - Friend of VSA    Registration    For Artists    Links    Contact Information    Bishop Airport Mural
    VSA Michigan    VSA International (VSA.org)

This site is best seen at 1024 x 768 or greater screen resolution.
Requires the free Flash Player. Download it here if you don't have it.
This site © 2009 VSA arts Of Michigan-Genesee County
Site maintained by Computer Publishing Concepts, Frankenmuth-Flushing, MI.