VSA arts of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that strives to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. Working at the intersection of multi-disciplinary arts, education reform, and disability rights, we serve as an international model in which people with disabilities have complete access to cultural, artistic and educational venues, programs and employment.
VSA arts of Texas is the 2008 VSA arts Award Winner for Excellence in Organizational Management! We invite you to explore the site and see what we have to offer.
Summer Apprenticeship in the Arts/Theater for Teens and Young Adults
Work with a professional artist.
Develop Goal Setting, Time Management and Leadership!
Experience working as a team towards a drama performance.
Develop artistic skills and participate in a group art show.
Meet new people and new challenges.
Have a blast!
The Summer Apprenticeship in the Arts/Theater for Teens and Young Adults will provide new learning opportunities for teens with and without disabilities. Apprenticeship? What is that? An apprenticeship is where you learn real life skills side by side with an experienced professional. Hands on learning is an important part of an apprenticeship. Teen Apprentices will be provided hands on training in a new artistic medium each week while working towards a culminating exhibition and drama performance. The Apprenticeship will be run as a work setting, with Apprentices provided opportunities to learn employment skills such as goal setting, time management and leadership. Two different curriculum sessions (three weeks each) for a total of six weeks are planned. Try to sign up for both. Class are filling up fast! Click here for more details and registration.
Open Mic and Cabaret Night
Here is a wonderful opportunity to share your talents and enjoy the talents of others. We will start with audience warm up theater games and move into short performances. Performers (that’s YOU!) may offer many different things: Poem, song, skit, magic, puppetry, juggling, comedy, storytelling, and comedy. Anything is possible! Well, not exactly, no skateboarding or anything too wildly physical because we have to be safe/sane in the gallery space... Special guests and stars from our classes will also grace our stage... This is a family friendly setting catering to young adults and adults, persons with and without disabilities.
Day & Time: August 14
Doors Open 7PM.
Show is from 7:30 to 9:20 PM with a break for networking.
This open mic will feature selected performances from our Summer Apprenticeship program, Session II.
Everyone is invited! Stay tuned, as the location may change if a large audience is expected. Call Carol Stensrud at (512) 694-9207 for updates.
Where: Access Gallery, 3701 Guadalupe St., Suite 103, Austin, TX 78705, 512-323-6626
Who? Families, teens, adults with and without disabilities
Cost: Pay as you Can. Suggested minimum donation $5.
What to Bring? You are welcome to bring your own seating pillow, hat, costume, musical instrument or lines from a poem etc. VSA arts will provide microphone and amplification system.
Leadership and staffing: VSA arts will provide a zippy host for the event and trained volunteers who are available to support you in your participation.
VSA Texas offers Audio Description Training
August 5, 2010
Here is an opportunity that we hope YOU or someone from your arts organization will want to participate in. Download flyer and registration form, or we can email, fax or mail the info to you.
The Basics:
VSA Texas is presenting a one day training August 5, 2010 from 9:00A – 4:00P at Access Gallery, 3701 Guadalupe St., Suite 103, Austin. The cost is affordable: $30, which covers training materials and snack & lunch.
What It Is:
Audio Describers describe the visual elements of performances, art exhibits, sculptures, concerts, films, TV programs, parades, websites etc. for people who are blind or of low vision. You can increase your audiences by attracting people with vision loss who gain greater appreciation of the show through this service.
Who Benefits:
• Individuals who have low vision will now be able to appreciate your art and performances.
• Individual arts-loving volunteers can find this a new and rewarding way to volunteer or to “give back” to one’s favorite arts groups.
• Theatres, performing organizations or art galleries may be able to offer the service virtually on request with trained staff or volunteers – now THAT’s “accessibility”!
Who to Contact:
For more information call Lynn Johnson at 512-454-9912 or email lynn@vsatx.org.
REMEMBER – AN OPPORTUNITY IS ONLY A PATRON AWAY!
VSA Texas presents “SAY IT”
Short Story Writing Workshop
Wednesdays, August 4 – September 8, 2010
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
A.G.E. Building
We are Learning Center Multi-Purpose Room 101
3710 Cedar St.
Austin, TX
Dust off that short story you’ve been wanting to finish and join Say It!, a six-week short story writing workshop that will help you learn to catch and hold a reader’s attention and develop your voice as a writer. Bring a short story you’ve written, up to 15 double-spaced pages, and together we’ll learn how to fine tune prose to convey a style, build a compelling story arc, develop characters readers care about, use seamless dialogue, incorporate lyricism and metaphor, and make sure that we’re “writing true” (whether it’s fiction or fact). Instructor: Dr. Chris Strickling, writing coach for VSA Texas. Class size limited to 8. To register or for more information contact Lynn Johnson at lynn@vsatx.org or call 512-454-9912.
Call for Art!
The National Arts Program in Austin
Deadline: October 12, 2010
Entry forms are now being accepted for the 8th Annual National Arts Program in Austin. This exhibition is for City of Austin employees, retired employees, and their family members. Cash prizes are awarded in Amateur, Intermediate, Professional, Youth, and Teen categories.
For more information or to register online visit the National Arts Program website.
Paper copies of the entry form can be obtained by contacting April Sullivan at Access Gallery at 512-323-6626 or email April or forms can be picked up at Access Gallery or the MACC.
