General Info
THE VSA ALABAMA DIFFERENCE
What makes VSA Alabama’s programs stand out?
Commitment to people, not programs.
It starts with the commitment of VSA Alabama to serve children and adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses through the arts. Everything we do is centered around those we serve. We design our programs specifically for the needs and goals of the participants.
Guiding principles and a solid foundation.
It is based on the guiding principles of VSA International, founded in 1974 by Jean Kennedy Smith with the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from, participate in and enjoy the arts. Through VSA International, VSA Alabama is linked in to a nationwide network of affiliates, over 51 foreign affiliates, the resources of the international headquarters in Washington D.C. and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Experience in the arts, healthcare, and disability communities.
VSA Alabama, through strong partnerships that bridge the arts, healthcare, and disability communities, has established relationships throughout our community and state, which continue to provide benefits to those we serve.
High standards, shared knowledge and ideas, and continuous learning are the fundamentals for our teaching artists.
Beginning with their background and qualifications, all VSA Alabama teaching artists have a mastery of their particular art form coupled with the desire and passion to use their talents to serve people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. VSA Alabama teaching artists are required to provide lesson plans for each session as well as artist-in-residence reporting each month. They are required to attend an in-service training each year with other VSA Alabama teaching artists where we review and/or introduce new best practices, share ideas, and foster a community of learning. The teaching artists are evaluated by the partnering organization at which they teach as well as by the VSA Alabama program manager at the end of each program cycle.
Through the community of learning that is fostered among the VSA Alabama staff and teaching artists, collaborations are formed, new programs developed and existing programs are refreshed and enriched. In addition, VSA Alabama takes great pride in sharing the personal accomplishments and professional availability of all our teaching artists, so that when they are not providing VSA Alabama programming, their artistic talents may be made available to others in the community.
It begins and ends with those we serve.
People-first. VSA Alabama and all who work with us – staff, board, teaching artists, volunteers – are focused first on the person, and are dedicated to bringing them the most positive, beneficial, and meaningful experiences in the arts.
