For Immediate Release: November 11, 2005
Media Contact: Mimi Kenney Smith, VSA arts of Pennsylvania, 215.564.2431

The new VSA arts of Pennsylvania has received $172,150 from the William Penn Foundation to ensure that people with disabilities are included equally in the arts and culture of Pennsylvania. Over the next year, VSA arts of Pennsylvania will conduct research across the state toward the development of a strategic plan that addresses educational, cultural access and professional employment opportunities in the arts for children and adults with disabilities.

Olive Mosier, Director of Arts and Culture for the William Penn Foundation, is happy that the foundation has been able to support this important effort: “For years, Amaryllis Theatre Company has worked to provide equal access for artists and audiences with disabilities to their own work and the work of their colleagues in Philadelphia. Now, as Amaryllis becomes the affiliate of VSA arts for Pennsylvania, we at William Penn are happy to help the company to develop an effective plan to increase access to the arts across the state.”

Mimi Kenney Smith, Executive Artistic Director of VSA arts of Pennsylvania, appreciates William Penn Foundation’s support and looks forward to developing a concrete plan to make a significant difference in Pennsylvania. “Pennsylvania is one of the country’s most vibrant centers of arts and culture, but, in spite of the efforts of many arts organizations, some of its citizens still do not have full access to the richness of those experiences,” she explains. Over the next year, with the William Penn Foundation’s support and advice from Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, we hope to create a blueprint for making sure that people with disabilities across the state can learn through, enjoy and participate fully as professionals in the arts.”

VSA arts of Pennsylvania will work with Planning Consultant Betty Henderson Wingfield and a committee of arts and disability experts from across the state. Research will be conducted in seven primary Pennsylvania regions: Greater Philadelphia, Towanda/Sayre, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Altoona/Johnstown, State College and Erie, making an effort to include people from surrounding areas as well. Results will be published and made available to potential partners across the state. Presently, VSA arts of Pennsylvania, a Philadelphia-based organization, works with cultural and disability-related organizations across the state to develop greater accessibility to the arts. The company also tours schools with new musicals and arts workshops on topics of interest to area educators and, as the award-winning Amaryllis Theatre Company, produces theatrical productions with the finest professional actors with and without disabilities from across the country. For more information contact Mimi Kenney Smith at 215-564-2431.

VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where all people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts. Each year millions of people participate in VSA arts programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in more than 60 countries around the world. VSA arts is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Go to News Releases»