About ArtsWORK
ArtsWORK Indiana (AWI) is an informal, statewide group of people interested in improving arts-related professional opportunities and careers for people with disabilities. Our mission is "to facilitate access to careers in the arts for people with disabilities through awareness, education, and encouragement." People from across the state, with and without disabilities, have joined this effort. Participants include artists of all disciplines, as well as people involved in supporting opportunities for artists, such as rehabilitation professionals, college counselors, and arts administrators. Meetings are usually held monthly in Indianapolis.
Advisory Board | Satellite Groups | History | Partners
How It All Started
In the fall of 2004 an inaugural, statewide forum on careers in the arts for people with disabilities was held in Indianapolis. Indiana Art Works: Employing Creativity was attended by over 100 people, a broad spectrum of people interested in learning about and advancing opportunities. The purpose of the forum was to (1) assess the education and career needs and barriers for artists and arts administrators with disabilities; and (2) develop and implement strategies to overcome barriers and advance careers in the arts for individuals with disabilities.
The forum was partially supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, Vsa arts, and the National Arts and Disability Center at the University of California Los Angeles. These competitive grant monies were designated for this purpose on the basis of recommendations emerging from a series of national summits on careers in the arts. That national initiative raised public awareness of the significant contributions of people with disabilities in the arts and the obstacles they face.
The Indiana Art Works forum logo was designed by Logansport artist Nancy Ander Rutschmann. Read more about the 2004 Statewide Forum.
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The Birth of ArtsWORK Indiana
The forum, and the successful grant application that made it possible, culminated two years of planning by a small group of representatives of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, VSA arts of Indiana, and the Indiana Arts Commission.The planning group worked with an advisory team of 20 individuals representing various disciplines and professions, with and without disabilities. Following the well-attended two-day Forum, a diverse, informal association of stakeholders from across the state began to meet regularly to advance opportunities for people with disabilities to work in the arts.
Renamed ArtsWORK Indiana, the group's first chairperson was Yocheved Samson, Ph.D., of Indianapolis. Her dedication is gratefully acknowledged, as is the leadership of Mr. Chris Karson of Muncie, our chairperson from 2006 to 2009. Wug Laku is our Acting Chairperson prior to the election of an Advisory Board.
Launch of the ArtsWORK Indiana Website
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Based upon information gathered from a survey of the 2004 Forum participants, ArtsWORK Indiana cited the need for funds to increase Hoosiers with disabilities' access to information on careers in the arts, to provide networking opportunities among people working and aspiring to work in arts-related fields, and to create a venue promoting the work of artists with disabilities. The 2006 funds described above partially supported the creation of the website.
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Other Activities
ArtsWORK Indiana has presented sessions at the Governor's Council for People with Disabilities conference annually since 2003, as well as worked with the GCPD to bring in keynote speakers and luncheon entertainment in the arts. Wheelchair Monologue is a multi-media performance piece being created by ArtsWORK for the purpose of educating, entertaining, and providing insights into what it really means to be "disabled" in today's society.
ArtsWORK is powered by volunteers, with the assistance of the collaborating organizations below. We welcome your attendance at our regular meetings, your participation on committees. Get Involved! Or just end us an e-mail and tell us what issues you think are important for ArtsWORK to address. Contact Us.
Collaborating Organizations
VSA arts of Indiana (formerly Very Special Arts of Indiana) is a statewide nonprofit organization and an affiliate of VSA arts, an international educational program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Since 1980, VSA arts of Indiana has offered a variety of programs and services designed to unleash the creative spirit and artistic gifts of people with disabilities. 
The mission of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community is to foster communities that welcome, value, and support the participation of people of all ages and abilities through research, education and practice. The Institute was founded in 1970 and is affiliated with Indiana University. The Institute comprises seven Centers that address issues of disability across the life span.
The mission of the Indiana Arts Commission includes advocacy of arts development opportunities, enhancement of arts awareness and learning opportunities, stimulation of public interest in and participation with the State's arts resources and cultural heritage, encouragement of the presence of the arts in communities, and facilitation of the development of the arts, artists, arts organizations, and audiences across the state.
Acknowlegements
ArtsWORK is most appreciative to the Indianapolis Museum of Art for providing a regular meeting space.