Founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith,VSA serves individuals of all ages with disabilities, but most particularly school-aged students eligible to participate in special education, preferably in inclusive classrooms. The programs developed by VSA are tested, replicated, revised, and perfected through the network of state affiliates. State and district affiliates develop unique programs that reflect the interests and resources of given schools and communities.
Here in WA State, VSA supports teacher training, artist residencies, and ArtSpring! – and annual, inclusive arts festival serving hundreds of K-12 students and their teachers each year. With our schools cutting budgets so drastically, these VSA-funded programs are providing vital arts services to our children – where otherwise there might be no arts at all.
VSA funding has been cut – along with Kennedy Center Education funding – in the recent budget deal worked out in Congress. We must ACT NOW to restore funding levels to an amount level with 2010 funding. Please take a moment NOW to write Senators Murray and Cantwell (see side bar for links). We have provided some additional facts below, for your information and use.
We encourage you to add your personal stories! How have arts programs impacted your children – your students – yourself? Your voice really CAN make a difference – please take time to be heard TODAY!
Thank you,
~Deborah Witmer,Executive Director, Creative Activities/VSA Washington
Additional Information:
VSA has enjoyed bi-partisan support from the Congress for the past 27 years. For every $1 of federal money received, VSA raises up to $7 from local and private sources in individual states, through the efforts of the national office and the 50-state affiliate and partner network it serves and supports. VSA receives directed federal funding because of its stature as a program of national significance. As a result of the longstanding federal investment in VSA, a strong national and diverse network of programs that make the arts accessible to individuals with disabilities has been created and is sustained by this critical support. Over 7 million people participate in VSA programming around the world.
The Arts in Education program at the Department of Education provides funding for VSA and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in addition to funding for model arts collaborations with schools, professional development for arts educators, evaluation and dissemination programs, and arts programs for at-risk youth. This year, Congress has targeted the Arts in Education program to be eliminated because under current Congressional Rules, any authorized program, which includes Arts in Education, is considered an earmark. Even though this is a nationwide program voted on by the entire Congress and not one single member’s “pet project” funding for this program is under serious threat.
Research shows that a complete arts education, including dance, music, and drama, contributes to improved academic performance – particularly for students with disabilities. VSA programs provide students with valuable academic advantages and teachers with research-based, innovative strategies to ensure participation and progress for each student by using the arts to enhance the learning process.
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