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D
by Ketra Oberlander

Resources - Visual Art Centers for Persons with Disabilities
The following art centers provide artists with disabilities the opportunity to learn how to produce art through training by professional artists. Typically, the visual art centers are designed to provide the artist with art studio space to create their work, an opportunity to exhibit their work, and a gallery to sell their work. Some visual art centers offer mainstream or inclusive art experiences, others offer specialized programs for individuals with disabilities. This is a sampling of resources available. This list of resources is provided for information purposes only and does not denote an endorsement by the National Arts and Disability Center.
We found 29 record(s).
    Alan Short Center
    928 E. Rose Street
    Stockton, CA 95202-1849
    Phone: (209) 948-5759
    Fax: (209) 948-9042
    Email: ascddsostk@aol.com
    Internet: http://www.ddso.org
    Description: The Alan Short Center, a division of Developmental Disabilities Service Organization, supports adults with developmental disabilities who have requested services to live, recreate and work in their community. Their purpose is to provide opportunities for consumers to make their own chocies and decisions regarding everyday life, and to provide opportunities to contribute their community through community association, volunteer activities, the arts, and work.
    Art Enables
    411 New York Ave, NE
    Washington, DC 20002
    Phone: (202) 554-9455
    Fax: (202) 554-9456
    Email: info@art-enables.org
    Internet: http://www.art-enables.org/
    Description: Art Enables is a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization whose mission is to empower adults with developmental and/or mental disabilities to pursue the creation of outsider and folk art as a way of developing skills, achieving self-expression, finding a meaningful role in society and moving toward economic independence.
    Arts for All, Inc.
    2520 N Oracle Road
    Tucson, AZ 85705
    Phone: (520) 622-4100
    Fax: (520) 624-0303
    Email: execdirector@artsforallinc.org
    Internet: http://www.artsforallinc.org
    Description: Arts for All’s mission is to provide accessible education, training and experiences in the Arts for children, particularly those with special needs.
    Center for Accessible Technology
    2547 8th Street # 12A
    Berkeley, CA 94710
    Phone: (510) 841-3224
    Fax: (510) 841-7956
    Email: info@cforat.org
    Internet: http://www.cforat.org
    Description: Integrated Arts increases opportunities for people with and without disabilities to define and express themselves through the arts. They provide creative art-making opportunities for artists.
    Creative Growth Art Center
    355 24th Street
    Oakland, CA 94612
    Phone: (510) 836-2340
    Fax: (510) 836-0769
    Email: info@creativegrowth.org
    Internet: http://www.creativegrowth.org
    Description: The Creative Growth Art Center was founded in 1974. The center provides a national model for the integration of the visual arts into the lives of individuals with physical, emotional, and mental disabilities. Some of the programs offered by the center are: creative arts programs, educational programs, independent living skills, training, counseling, and vocational opportunities.  
    Creative Growth Art Center serves physically, mentally, and developmentally disabled adult artists, providing a stimulating environment for artistic instruction, gallery promotion, and personal expression.
    Creativity Explored of San Francisco
    3245 16th Street
    San Francisco, CA 94103
    Phone: (415) 863-2108
    Fax: (415) 863-1655
    Email: info@creativityexplored.org
    Internet: http://www.creativityexplored.org/
    Description: Creativity Explored is a visual arts center for adults with developmental disabilities. The purpose of the center is to provide a stimulating open-space studio environment in which the members/artists can express themselves. Member artists participate in a six day open studio program supervised by a professional staff of trained artists. Programs offered include: creative arts programs, educational programs, marketing, and exhibition of member artwork.
    Deaf West Theatre Company
    5112 Lankershim Blvd.
    North Hollywood, CA 91601
    Phone: (818) 762-2998
    TDD: (818) 508-8389
    Fax: (818) 762 - 2981
    Email: info@deafwest.org
    Internet: http://www.deafwest.org
    Description: Deaf West Theatre, Inc., was founded in 1991 to directly improve and enrich the cultural lives of the 1.2 million deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who live in the Los Angeles area. DWT provides exposure and access to professional theatre, filling a void for deaf artists and audiences. Serving the cultural, educational, social and employment needs of its constituents, DWT is an institution for the discovery and exploration of artists' identities and stature as artists. Through the medium of Sign Language Theatre, a legacy of deaf culture is created, shared, and preserved. Presenting adaptations of classics, contemporary and original works, DWT is dedicated to the production of theatre of the highest artistic quality, which nurtures and promotes the talents of its actors, writers, directors and designers. DWT productions are presented in American Sign Language with simultaneous translation in English, providing for all an enhanced theatrical experience for all.
    District 7 GROWTH THRUGH ART
    7 North 31st Street
    Billings, MT 59103
    Phone: (406) 247-4732
    Fax: (406) 247-4791
    Email: growththruart@imt.net
    Internet: http://www.hrdc7.org
    Description: Growth Thru Art offers arts programs in the performing arts, and visual arts for adults 18 and older with disabilities.
    Exceptional Children's Foundation Art Center
    3750 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
    Los Angeles, CA 90008
    Phone: (323) 290-6030
    Fax: (323) 290-6029
    Email: hrecf@ecf.net
    Internet: http://www.ecfartcenter.com/
    Description: One program offered by The Exceptional Children's Foundation is the Art Center. Established in 1968, the Art Center has provided program participants with professional art training, studio facilities and a nurturing artistic environment. The Center also offers instruction in independent living skills, recreation and adult education. Participants range in age from 18 to 65.  Over the years, the Art Center program has become nationally recognized for leadership in demonstrating that individuals with developmental disabilities have the ability to produce fine art.
    Firehouse Theater Company
    P.O. Box 69913
    West Hollywood, CA 90069-0913
    Phone: (310) 659-6744
    Fax: (310) 659-6644
    Email: oppenheimz@aol.com
    Internet: http://www.firehousetheatercompany.org
    Description: The Firehouse Theatre Company both produces and assists in creating innovative, inclusive, theatrical, musical, and visual arts events. They work as an advocate for artists and audiences with physical or sensory disabilities.
    First Street Gallery - Art Center
    250 West First Street, Ste. 120
    Claremont, CA 91711
    Phone: (909) 626-5455
    Fax: (909) 625-3436
    Email: rebecca_hamm@tierradelsol.org
    Internet: http://www.1ststreetgallery.org
    Description: The First Street Gallery Art Center was opened in 1989 by Tierra del Sol, a private non-profit foundation. In the studio/classroom, professional artists provide instruction in drawing, painting, ceramics, and printmaking. First Street encourages collaborative projects between local artists and their students. The on-site gallery presents six exhibitions each year and First Street artists participate in 15-20 off- site exhibitions, many in Europe and Japan. Artists and students are welcome to volunteer.
    First Street Gallery - Art Center
    250 West First Street, Ste. 120
    Claremont, CA 91711
    Phone: (909) 626-5455
    Fax: (909) 625-3436
    Email: rebecca_hamm@tierradelsol.org
    Internet: http://www.1ststreetgallery.org
    Description: The First Street Gallery Art Center was opened in 1989 by Tierra del Sol, a private non-profit foundation. In the studio/classroom, professional artists provide instruction in drawing, painting, ceramics, and printmaking. First Street encourages collaborative projects between local artists and their students. The on-site gallery presents six exhibitions each year and First Street artists participate in 15-20 off- site exhibitions, many in Europe and Japan. Artists and students are welcome to volunteer.
    High Spirits Dance Program
    P.O. Box 40631
    Pasadena, CA 91114
    Phone: (626) 399-5789
    Email: highspiritsdance@mac.com
    Internet: http://www.ymcala.org/Branch/Webpage.aspx?ENT=64&ID=2240
    Description: High Spirits Dance Program is for children and youth with Developmental Disabilities. They work with the mind-body connection, developing rhythm, strength, balance and coordination. They promote both "process" and "product" through weekly classes, rehearsals, and community performances. Lynnette Adams, MA Interdisciplinary Arts Education with a BA in Communications/Theatre has been working for the past twenty years teaching movement/dance, drama, art, music, and video. Working with both children and persons of all abilities, she has used the arts as a learning tool, and has created original works in various art forms that have a "Teaching Tolerance" theme.
    Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts
    212 Third Avenue North, Ste. 140
    Minneapolis, MN 55401
    Phone: (612) 339-5145 ext. 18
    Fax: (612) 339-7762
    Email: info@interactcenter.com
    Internet: http://www.interactcenter.com
    Description: Interact is a non-profit center for artists with disabilities. Through Interacts day program, actors, musicians, visual artists, and writers are able to develop skills, perform, and exhibit their work. Their outreach programs include, workshops for educators and social service providers, public performances, touring programs, events, and consulting.
    Neighborhood Center of the Arts
    200 Litton Drive, Ste. 212
    Grass Valley, CA 95945
    Phone: (530) 272-7287
    Fax: (530) 272-7688
    Email: ncadirector@nccn.net
    Internet: http://www.neighborhoodcenterofthearts.com/
    Description: The Neighborhood Center of the Arts was founded in 1984 to provide adults with developmental disabilities a vehicle to achieve independence and community integration through the arts.
    NIAD
    551 23rd Street
    Richmond, CA 94804
    Phone: (510) 620-0290
    Fax: (510) 620-0326
    Email: admin@niadart.org
    Internet: http://www.niadart.org
    Description:

    NIAD's mission is to provide an art program for people with disabilities that promotes creativity, independence, dignity and community integration. Programs include the visual arts, such as painting and drawing, ceramics, multimedia, fiber arts, some language arts, and independent living skills. The staff is composed of professional, working artists. In addition to the studio there is an art gallery and gift store and a web site with an on-line gallery.

    Paint a Miracle
    302B W. University
    Rochester , MI 48307
    Phone: (248) 652-2702
    Fax: (248) 652-3346
    Email: shelly@paintamiracle.org
    Internet: http://www.paintamiracle.org
    Description: Paint a Miracle is a nonprofit art studio and community that offers people with disabilities an opportunity to develop their artistic talents in an atmosphere of hope, growth and encouragement. Paint a Miracle is a place of independence, creative freedom, and inspiration for its artists - a haven where one can enjoy the creative process amongst friends.
    Passion Works Studio
    21 S. Campbell Street
    Athens, OH 45701
    Phone: (740) 592-6659 ext. 252
    Fax: (740) 594-7814
    Email: patty@passionworks.org
    Internet: http://www.passionworks.org
    Description: Passion Works Studio supports collaborations between artists with and without developmental disabilities. The spirit of partnership and shared vision of Passion Works Studio represents the very best in collaborative, community arts. The creative process at Passion Works places Passion Work Artists together with Resident and Visiting artists to create outstanding and beautiful works of art and art products.
    Performing Arts Studio West
    438 South Market Street
    Inglewood, CA 90301
    Phone: (310) 674-1346
    Fax: (310) 674-1349
    Email: psawstaff@earthlink.net
    Internet: http://www.pastudiowest.com
    Description: Performing Arts Studio West provides an environment where adults with developmental disabilities can enhance self-esteem, social skills, and vocational skills through participation in a performing arts curriculum, professionally staged productions and a vocational training component. All classes are taught by entertainment industry professionals. This setting brings together creative actors, singers, musicians and technical personnel - with and without disabilities - combining their talents to produce quality, original entertainment. In the past three years PASW performers have been cast in over 400 roles in film, television, commercial, music video, audio book and theater productions.
    Short Center - South
    1250 Suttersville Road
    Sacramento, CA 95822
    Phone: (916)737-2397
    Fax: (916)737-6145
    Email: shortsouth@aol.com
    Internet: http://www.ddso.org
    Description: The Short Center South offers art classes for individuals with disabilities. It is committed to enhancing the quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities.
    SoHo Artists
    2310 1st Ave.
    Hibbing, MN 55746
    Phone: (218) 263-9230
    Fax: (218) 263-9240
    Email: sohoart@callta.com
    Description: Range Center's SoHo Artists began as a group of adults with disabilities exploring creative expression in the arts. Artists participate in drawing, painting, printing, and puppetry sessions. SoHo Artists also own a computerized graphic arts business and are able to reproduce visual art images on marketable items including notecards, tote bags, t-shirts, and mouse pads. A grant funded project has enabled SoHo Artists to acquire equipment to reproduce their artwork using computer graphics, expanding art production into a for-profit business owned by the artists themselves.
    Southern Exposure
    417 14th Street
    San Francisco, CA 94103
    Phone: (415) 863-2141
    Fax: (415) 863-1841
    Email: soex@soex.org
    Internet: http://www.soex.org
    Description: Southern Exposure is an artist run organization that reaches out to diverse audiences and serves as a forum and resource center providing support to the Bay Areas' arts and educational communities. They present diverse, risk-taking, art and related programs. Programs include exhibitions, panels, symposia, and artists in education programs. They are a forum for artists in practice, and a resource center for artists and the public.
    Southside Art Center
    8583 Elder Creek Road #200
    Sacramento, CA 95828
    Phone: (916) 387-8080
    Fax: (916) 387-2379
    Email: info@southsideartcenter.com
    Internet: http://www.southsideartcenter.com
    Description: The Southside Art Center offers a multitude of choices for individuals with developmental disabilities at our Center. The classes represent a diversification of the typical art program, by providing opportunities for both art and non-art experiences. Some of the programs that are offered by the center are: creative art programs, basic life skills training, person centered individual planned approaches, and vocational opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.
    St. Madeleine Sophie's Center & Sophie's Gallery
    2119 E. Madison Ave.
    El Cajon, CA 92019
    Phone: (619) 442-5129 ext. 33
    Fax: (619) 442-9651
    Email: efoeckler@stmsc.org
    Internet: http://www.stmsc.org
    Description: Founded in 1966, SMSC offers comprehensive programs that serve developmentally disabled adults. Our focus is on functional skills required for self advocacy, community integration, employment and self care.
    The Arts of Life
    2110 West Grand Ave.
    Chicago, IL 60612
    Phone: (312) 829-2787
    Fax: (312) 829-0257
    Email: info@artsoflife.org
    Internet: http://www.artsoflife.org
    Description: The Arts of Life is a nonprofit art studio that provides adults with developmental disabilities an environment to explore and enrich their lives. The Studio is a collective of artists encouraging personal achievement and building an artistic community. They have exhibits of their artists work.
    The Enrichment Center
    1006 S. Marshall Street
    Winston-Salem, NC 27101
    Phone: (336) 777-0076
    Fax: (336) 777-0520
    Email: vvizena@ec-arc.org
    Internet: http://www.enrichmentcenter.org
    Description: The Enrichment Center is an arts-based day program which serves adults with developmental disabilities. The arts program is comprised of dance/drama, music, poetry, and visual arts.  The center also provides education in computer skills and life skills and provides supported employment.  Under the guidance of professional artists, participants earn income through the sale of visual art, recordings, published poetry, and tickets for performances. The artists display and sell their work in Gateway Gallery at the Enrichment Center and throughout the community. Performances integrate dancers and musicians with and without disabilities. The Enrichment Center Percussion Ensemble is the first of its kind-a professional ensemble comprised of musicians with developmental disabilities and one non-disabled musician.
    The Little City Foundation Multidisciplinary Art Center
    1760 West Algonquin Road
    Palatine, IL 60067
    Phone: (847) 358-5510 ext: 888
    Fax: (847) 358-3291
    Email: lcstudio@artistical.org
    Internet: http://www.littlecity.org/
    Description: The Little City Foundation's Media Arts Center is a regional arts center serving people with developmental disabilities. The center hosts a studio arts program, produces a cable access show, supports individual video projects, and collaborates with local performance companies. The multi-disciplinary art center at little city foundation is an expansion of its media arts program into studio and performing arts, allowing more people with developmental disabilities to explore the arts.
    The Media Access Office
    Verdugo Jobs Center
    1255 South Central Ave.
    Glendale, CA 91204
    Phone: (818) 409-0448
    Fax: (818) 507-4319
    Email: GCastane@edd.ca.gov
    Internet: http://www.edd.ca.gov/mediaaccessawards
    Description: The Media Access Office provides a liaison between performers with disabilities and the entertainment and media industry. They are pioneer in public and private partnership. The office provides numerous services to the community, enabling media products to be produced and individuals to succeed at levels worthy of recognition by the Media Access Awards. The Media Access Office has over 900 actors and media professionals with disabilities on file.
    The Studio
    139 Third Street
    Eureka, CA Phone: (707) 443-1428
    Email: thestudio@thestudioonline.org
    Internet: http://www.thestudioonline.org
    Description: The Studio is a fine arts program for people with developmental disabilities. The Studio gives people the opportunity to express themselves through the creative arts. The Studio offers studio space and instruction in drawing, painting, sculpture, mosaic, drama, and many other mediums. They show and market the artwork that is produced to instill feelings of pride and self worth.

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