Accessible Arts Newsletter

Spring 2002, Volume 9, Number 1

Our mission is to champion the arts for children with disabilities and advocate access to the arts.

Table of Contents:
The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel
Accessible Arts Wish List
2001 Accessible Arts Awards
The Art of Learning Workshops
Oregon Trail Pioneers Carve Post Rock
Thank You to Funders, Donors
Thank You to Volunteers, Collaborators
Call for Artists
New On Accessible Arts Website
Football & Paintbrushes
Calendar of Coming Events
Board of Directors & Staff
Change your status in our database

General Contact Information

Heart of America Wind Symphony - Benefit Concert

The Heart of America Wind Symphony will perform a benefit concert for Accessible Arts at 7:30 PM, Saturday, April 6th at Shawnee Mission South High School. The theme for the concert is “Everybody Dance” and will feature selections from West Side Story and dance music from around the world. The evening will also include a dance performance, a scene from West Side Story, and visual art displays by artists with disabilities. Admission is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted at the door.

The Heart of America Wind Symphony (HAWS) was formed to present quality wind band concerts and to raise awareness and funds for charitable agencies and service organizations. All of the ensemble members are volunteers and 100% of the proceeds from the concert will benefit Accessible Arts.

“Last year’s concert was a great success and we feel very fortunate that the Wind Symphony has offered to provide a benefit concert for us again this year,” explained Martin English, Accessible Arts’ Executive Director. “Of course we jumped at the opportunity.” The event will again feature music, theatre, dance and visual arts by artists with disabilities./p>

Students from the Kansas School for the Deaf will perform a scene from West Side Story. Terri Rathbun, a member of Accessible Arts’ Board who uses a wheelchair, will perform a dance duet with Susan Rieger of aha! Dance Theatre. Their duet was one of the highlights of last year’s event. Shawnee Mission South High School dancers will also take the stage during the performance. Mark Manning, Tina Blatter, Matt Gauer and other visual artists with disabilities will display their works of art in the outer lobby.

John Tait, tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs, will attend and make a special presentation. He will also have several of his own paintings on display.

“This performance will have something for everyone. And it’s a chance for us to educate the public about the world of arts and disabilities, ” English said.

The Benefit will be held in the Shawnee Mission South High School Auditorium at 5800 West 107th Street (between Nall & Lamar). For more information, please call (913) 281-1133.

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Accessible Arts is proud to present The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel, a touring theatrical production focusing on children with disabilities and at-risk youth. During the month of April, Accessible Arts will present the musical play and hands-on arts workshops at schools in the Kansas City metropolitan area and in Central and Western Kansas.

The goal of this project is to demonstrate to children with disabilities and at-risk youth that the arts can help them creatively express themselves and constructively vent frustrations about being perceived as “different.” Accessible Arts has commissioned the writing and production of this musical play to be performed for children ages 7-14. This sixty-minute production, featuring teen-aged characters with disabilities and other at-risk youth, focuses on the importance of tolerance and respect for others.

Throughout the play, characters of different abilities discover that each of them has a unique voice and individual skills. As the action progresses, the diverse cast realizes they must set aside their differences and work together as a team to solve a problem. Each child overcomes a specific challenge and uses his or her own ability as a productive, integral part of the team.

Following each school performance of The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel, the artists and students will explore the themes of the play in active sessions featuring drama, music, movement and visual arts. Hands-on arts workshops by Accessible Arts’ staff and other professional artists will focus on the themes of self-worth, tolerance, respect, problem-solving and team-building.

Financial sponsors for this project include the Kansas Arts Commission, Theresa Foundation, Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation, Francis Families Foundation, and Sisters of Loretto. This project was also made possible in part through funding provided by the central office of VSA arts, under an award from the U.S. Department of Education.

The support of these sponsors has allowed Accessible Arts to schedule performances of The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel at Kansas School for the Deaf, Kansas State School for the Blind, Claude Huyck Elementary, Stony Point North Elementary and Wyandotte County Parents University. Other schools are being booked daily. If you know of a school, community center or theatre that might be interested in bringing this program to their children, please call Accessible Arts for booking information and materials will be sent to you.

Accessible Arts collaborated with several other arts agencies and educational organizations to create the program, identify target audiences, present the performances and workshops and evaluate the project. Collaborators include: The Theatrical Company (a children’s theatre touring company based at St. Mary College in Leavenworth, KS), Kansas State School for the Blind, Dr. Dee Hansen (Kansas State Department of Education) and Vicki Tucker (Wyandotte Special Education Cooperative).

There will be a public performance of The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel at 7:00 PM, Friday, April 26th in the Gym on the campus of the Kansas State School for the Blind (1100 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS). People of all ages and abilities are invited to attend. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 17 and under.

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Accessible Arts Wish List

As a non-profit organization, we are always looking for donations which help us meet our large commitment to champion the arts for children with disabilities. Our “Wish List” is one way to engage the community. Are you a business or individual who has items you no longer use? Perhaps you know someone who does. Below are suggestions that may give you some ideas of how you can help. Of course, financial donations are also welcome.

Wish List
Model magic clay (by Crayola)
Clay tools
Acrylic paints (including white)
Sponge brushes (assorted sizes)
Children’s scissors ‘Specialty scissors’ (w/pattern blades)
Colored tissue paper
Construction paper
Poster board
Lights that clamp on tables
Wooden easels for painting

Volunteers Needed To Help With:

Bulk mailings
General filing
Copying / folding brochures
Staff transportation
Photo album maintenance
Library management
Unpack boxes of materials and reshelve
Carpentry/building shelving
Interior painting
Training in Word, Excel, Netscape Messenger, Filemaker Pro (for Macintosh)
Arts Programming

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2001 Accessible Arts Awards
By Beverly Johnson

Lanell Finneran was recognized for her outstanding contributions through her years as an educator, integrating all the arts, especially visual art and drama, into the learning experience. She was especially commended for mentoring future teachers and creative arts therapists, and for her recent drama workshops for children and adolescents.

For the past two years, she has been Artist-in-Residence, responsible for "Let It Show" drama workshops for 9-13 year olds, a part of the Van Go Mobile Arts program for children and adolescents at risk in Lawrence. She encouraged her students to participate in this as well as in other art fairs and community events. Frequently, the teacher takes her students to such events. She also encourages her students to apply for work through Van Go JAMS ("Jobs in the Arts Make Sense") which inspires students to grow artistically.

Finneran has been a leader in bringing the arts to educators, health professionals, and mental health professionals nationally and across the state of Kansas. She has served for six years on the Board of Directors of the National Association for Drama Therapy, and is currently Chair of the NADT Membership Committee. In addition, she has organized and presented at numerous conferences, and teaches summer courses at Kansas State University.

Sally Bailey, Assistant Professor of Drama Therapy Department at Kansas State nominated the teacher, saying, " I can not think of anyone who has worked as tirelessly for children and adolescents in our state as Lanell Finneran, nor can I think of anyone who has integrated the arts (drama, art, music, movement, and poetry) more completely and consistently into everything she does for and with others." Finneran was also nominated by two Kansas State graduate students, Nadya Trytan, and Angela Martin.

Bob Ault was previously honored in 1985, as Educator of the Year in Arts and Disabilities for, among other things, his work in art therapy at the Menninger Clinic, for being instrumental in forming the American Art Therapy Association, and organizing the Kansas Art Therapy Association. When he recognized that the University of Kansas was far from starting an art therapy program, he created and directed a Master of Science in Art Therapy program at Emporia State University.

This year, Ault is honored for his continuing contributions since retirement. At Ault's Academy for Art in Topeka, he provides instruction to approximately 50 students weekly. Through this work, Bob has developed new, innovative techniques, individualized for people who are working through mental issues. He is also being recognized for outstanding work on behalf of individuals with disabilities through therapeutic arts programming. Until recently, Ault also did eight hours of weekly art therapy at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Topeka, where he developed an arts program that includes a very successful family night.

Recently Bob was working with a patient who was very depressed. After a long career as an educator, the patient learned that all previous work left with the employer had just been put through a shredder! It was as if all those years and experience were for naught. Bob encouraged the patient to collect photographs; they were also put through a shredder. The patient then carefully wove the pieces back together into an acrylic weaving that became a beautiful work of art. Since then, Bob has adapted this technique to other patients with different circumstances and in his own art.

One of his most poignant stories is of a patient who had been a photographer in the Marine Corps. After being shot down, he made it to a foxhole where he held a wounded buddy. When they were finally rescued, they found that the soldier he was holding had already died. From the rescuing helicopter, another photographer snapped a picture of the Marine holding his buddy. The Marine carried that picture in his billfold for 20 years. In the creative arts clinic, he did a painting from the photograph. When completed, a viewer realized he had left out an important part. The missing part was a teardrop running down his cheek. For the first time, the patient was able to connect with the pain of the experience and then begin the healing. Ault continues to exhibit his art several times a year and continues involvement in and presentations for numerous conferences.

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'The Art of Learning' Workshops

Accessible Arts has joined forces with Kansas Alliance for Arts Education, Kansas State Department of Education and Storytellers, Inc. to create and provide a professional development workshop entitled The Art of Learning for artists and educators. This interactive three-day workshop will give artists the tools to work in the schools and schools the tools to work with artists. The Art of Learning workshop is scheduled for June 26-28 at Wichita State University, Wichita, KS. The workshop is designed to benefit classroom teachers, artists, school arts specialists, students and community youth program providers.

All workshop participants will work together to develop strategies for planning, implementing, and sustaining programs that teach about the arts and their relationship to other areas of knowledge and skill. Specific workshop topics include: In the Beginning—the Artist’s Perspective, In the Beginning—the Educator’s Perspective, Making Curriculum Connections, Proactive Marketing, Resources for Learning, Funding Partnerships, Learning Styles, Youth at Risk, Children with Disabilities, and Practical Concerns; Nuts & Bolts Planning.

The cost to attend The Art of Learning 3-day workshop is $50 per person for individual registration or $25 per person for local teams of two or more. The workshop fee includes three days of training, breakfasts, lunches and all training materials. Graduate credit is available to participants for an additional fee.

This project was funded by the Kansas Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. This project was also made possible in part through funding provided by the central office of VSA arts, under an award from the U.S. Department of Education. Please call Accessible Arts at (913) 281-1133 to receive a flyer or additional information. The May 31 deadline for registrations has been extended to June 20.

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Oregon Trail Pioneers Carve Weathered
Kansas Post Rock into Trail Monument

Eight teens who have followed the Oregon Trail memorialized their accomplishment at the Kansas State School for the Blind during the annual Trail arts weekend under the direction of sculptor Ann Cunningham, visual artist Tina Blatter, and Trail project coordinator Eleanor Craig. The students located an ancient Kansas post rock at a local stone company. The 200 pound limestone column had to be delivered on a flat bed truck and moved by forklift to its resting place in KSSB’s sensory garden. Ann Cunningham brought out her tools, the same ones the teens had used last summer to carve their names in a block of limestone left with pioneer names at Register Cliff in Wyoming. Teens and Trail staff all took a turn carving. School staff set the post in concrete with coneflowers at the base. The monument shows off the teen pioneers’ names where friends, classmates, and future generations can see them, and perhaps inspire the next group of teens to risk a summer trek on the Oregon Trail.

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Thank You to All Our Generous Sponsors & Donors!

This past year was a big one for Accessible Arts. Without the financial and in-kind assistance of many friends and supporters, the tremendously successful 99 Drums would not have happened. Other major programs which benefited from generous individuals, corporations, foundations, and agencies include: The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel, In Touch With Art, the Carriage House Arts Center Renovation, and the Oregon Trail Arts Program. “Gifts for Giving” and “Helping Hands” in the Kansas City Star have resulted in generous donations of much appreciated art supplies, frames, easels, costume materials, 3-dimensional materials for art projects, and even a refrigerator for our office. In addition to the many individuals who provide financial support, especially through our annual Holiday Appeal, the following corporations, small businesses, foundations and agencies have together enabled us to provide high quality training and programming. The staff and board of Accessible Arts extend our heart-felt thanks to all.

Funders
Scarlet Pimpernel 4/02

Kansas Arts Commission

Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation

VSA arts

John Tait Fundraiser 11/01
Palette Patrons

Dick Blick Art Materials
Closets By Design
Jasper's Restaurant
Missouri Gas Energy
Social Work P R N
Various Individual Funders

Oregon Trail Trek and School Programs 2001
Bayer Stone Company
Francis Families Foundation
Kappa Chapter, Phi Tau Omega
Kutak Rock
Nebraska Humanities Council
Sisters of Loretto
Sundowners
Lions Club
VSA arts, Missouri
VSA arts, Nebraska
VSA arts, Washington D.C.
Various Individual Funders
Wyandotte Lions Club

99 Drums 4/01

Farmland Foundation
Junior League of WY& JO Counties
KANarts
Kansas Arts Commission
Kansas State School for the Blind
Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation
Sisters of Loretto
State Street Corporation

In Touch With Art 4/01
Alphapointe Association for the Blind
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Kansas Arts Commission
VSA arts

Carriage House Arts Center Renovation

H&R Block
Bonner Springs Lions Club
Faultless Starch
Hallmark Corporate Foundation
IFDA Educational Foundation
Muriel McBride Kauffman Foundation
Crosby/Enid Kemper Foundation
Leawood Lions Club
Lockton Insurance
Mid-America Foundation
Miller & Jeannette Nichols Foundation
Overland Park Host Lions Club
Overland Park Noon Lions Club
The Sosland FoundationUtilicorp
Various Individual Funders
Wyandotte Lions Club

Thank You, Donors

99 Drums 4/01

American Food Service
Belfonte Dairy Foods
Casa de Hernandez
Coca Cola Bottling Co. of Mid-America
Cosantino's Price Chopper
Domino's Pizza
Explorer's Percussion & Drums
L&C Foods
Mars Music
McCleary's Snacks
New Dawn Native Dancers
PB&J Restaurants
Pillsbury Company
Roberts Dairy
Sisters 3 Catering
Sunshine Biscuits

Other Donors
Bayer Stone Company
FrameWorks

VOLUNTEERS & COLLABORATORS...THE LIFEBLOOD OF ACCESSIBLE ARTS

The life-blood of non-profit organizations is the many people and organizations who share a mission and step up to support programming. During the past year, many individuals have devoted a total of 1,431 hours of their time on a regular or one-time basis as volunteers. Accessible Arts has also had the pleasure and privilege of collaborating with many other wonderful agencies and organizations to champion the arts for children with disabilities. Our thanks to everyone who invested their effort and time in pursuit of our mission. If you are interested in volunteering at Accessible Arts, a sample of our needs is on our most recent "Wish List". Please call us at 913/281-1133 or click here for e-mail accarts@accessiblearts.org. (In consideration of personal privacy, individual names are not listed on our website.)

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Thank You Collaborators!

aha! Dance Theatre
Alphapointe Association for the Blind
Association of Community Arts Agencies of Kansas
Bonner Springs Business & Professional Women
Boy Scout Troop #342
Cottonwood Point Elementary School
Deerfield Elementary School
Dove Art Center
Down Syndrome Guild
Matt Gauer, Visual Artist
Girl Scout Troop #3169
Healthy Sounds
J.C. Harmon High School
Juniper Gardens Children’s Project
KanArts
Kansas Academy of Theatrical Arts
Kansas Alliance for Arts Education
Kansas Arts Commission
Kansas School for the Deaf
Kansas State Department of Education
Kansas State School for the Blind
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Junior League of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties
Mark Manning, Visual Artist
Howard Martin, Jellybean Conspiracy
Nebraska Center for the Education of Children Who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Nebraska Humanities Council
New Dawn Native Dancers
Pan Educational Institute
Parents University, Wyandotte County
Ruby Avenue Community Center
Storytellers, Inc.
The Theatrical Company
Traditional Music Society
Unified Government-Transportation Dept.
University of Kansas Medical Center, Institute for Child Development
Vision Rehabilitation Center of Wichita
VSA arts
VSA arts of Missouri
VSA arts of Nebraska
Wyandotte County Family & Community Education

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Call for Artists

Accessible Arts seeks artists, especially those who may have a disability, for several reasons:

• Opportunities to exhibit/perform
• Opportunities to participate in programming with teachers and/or children
• Opportunities to be mentor/role model

Some opportunities are for professionals or talented amateur artists; some are for hobbyists; others are suited to artists who have shown talent through rehabilitation services. If you know of an artist in the Kansas City metropolitan area or in the state of Kansas, please let us know or direct that artist to us. We will then send a questionnaire to obtain additional information and interests. You may also click here for the artist questionnaire OR contact us at accarts@accessiblearts.org or 913/281-1133.

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Accessible Arts Website

We encourage you to check out our website at www.accessiblearts.org. We continue to post current information about our programming and other projects.

One of our latest programs is the Cultural Access Initiative which is a process to determine the physical and programmatic accessibility of cultural venues and to advertise that information.

Under the “Cultural Access” section you will find:

• Accessibility symbols
• New facility listings for Lyric Opera, Theatre for Young America, Coterie Theatre. Three more coming soon.

Also new on the website:

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FOOTBALL & PAINTBRUSHES
By Adrienn Hruska

No, it is not a printing mistake. We may think that football and paintbrushes have nothing in common and yet someone proved us wrong! In November 2001 John Tait, the Kansas City Chief’s left tackle, brought his and his teammates’ talents together to help children with disabilities through a fundraiser held in the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. It was inspiring to see the big fellows - John Tait, Trent Green, Will Shields, Donnie Edwards and Mike Maslowski - standing in front of easels concentrating hard yet confident as ever to prove their talent in this rather unusual combination of sport and art.

Coached by students from the Kansas City Art Institute, the players worked hard on their multi-colored paintings that ranged from traditional to abstract. But all the players’ paintings were based on their jersey numbers. Later in the evening, to the great enthusiasm of the guests, these freshly painted masterpieces were auctioned off to the highest bidders. All of the proceeds of this event went directly to Accessible Arts as one of the John Tait Foundation’s beneficiaries.

You may wonder what a BIG MAN like John Tait has to do with art. Well, to reveal the secret, big muscles are not only for blocking linemen on the field but also for handling gentle brushstrokes on the canvas. In his free time John is a real painter. Relying on his own childhood experiences, he truly believes that art is a very important factor in one’s life and that receiving positive influence at an early age will make a difference later on. He certainly is a role model for those kids who think art belongs on the back burner. In order to combine his enthusiasm with action, he announced the formation of his own foundation in August 2001. The goal is to provide help for healthcare for young children, increase access to the arts for all children and to extend services for children with special needs. As one of his primary beneficiaries, John chose Accessible Arts as a partner and proceeds will go towards championing the arts for children with disabilities.

As a man of action John Tait is already up for his next contribution to the
community. On April 6, 2002, John will participate in the Heart of America Wind
Symphony’s fundraiser for Accessible Arts.

Mark Your Calendars

Saturday, April 6, 2002 at 7:30 PM

Heart of America Wind Symphony - A Benefit Concert for Accessible Arts
Shawnee Mission South High School, 5800 W. 107th Street.

This benefit concert will include performances by artists with disabilities. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted at the door.

Tuesday, April 23, 2002 at 7:00 PM

Lisa Thorsen Concert
Garden City Community College, Garden City, Kansas

Accessible Arts is sponsoring this concert by Lisa Thorsen, a well-known Jazz vocalist with a disability.

Friday, April 26, 2002 at 7:00 PM

The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel Public Performance
Kansas State School for the Blind, Kansas City, KS

A musical play about the hero in each of us. Children and their families will enjoy this one-hour play. Admission is $2 for children 17 and under; $5 for adults.

Sunday, May 19, 2002 from 2:00-4:00 PM

In Touch with Art
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO

This annual event will feature touchable art exhibits and demonstrations for the public, including persons with disabilities. Admission is free.

Wednesday - Friday, June 26-28, 2002

The Art of Learning Workshops
Wichita State University, Wichita, KS

Accessible Arts, Kansas Alliance for Arts Education, Kansas State Department of Education, and Storytellers, Inc. are offering this professional development opportunity to give ARTISTS the tools to work in the schools and SCHOOLS the tools to work with artists. Please call (913) 281-1133 to receive a flyer and more information.

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Accessible Arts Board of Directors

Patty Scott, President
Kathleen White, Vice President
Walter Dietrich, Treasurer
Martin Zander, Secretary
Heidi Benham
Fritz Edmunds
J.J. Jones
Danny Meisinger
Dawn O’Brien
Terri Rathbun
Donna Tout
Vickie Tucker

Accessible Arts Staff

Martin English, Executive Director
Tina Blatter, Program Director
Eleanor Craig, Office Manager
Beverly Johnson, Program Assistant

(913) 281-1133 [Voice/TTY]
(913) 281-1515 [FAX]
accarts@accessiblearts.org
www.accessiblearts.org

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DON’T NEED THIS NEWSLETTER?

We are happy to continue sending our newsletter to all persons who wish to receive it. The Accessible Arts mailing list now contains nearly 5,000 contacts and friends nationwide. If you would like to remain in our database as a consultant, artist, etc. but no longer wish to receive the newsletter, please let us know. Our new database will allow us to make this distinction. However, if you no longer want to remain in our data base, please help us by letting us know. We will immediately remove your name from our list. If you have any changes or updates for our mailing list, please notify us. You can e-mail us at accarts@accessiblearts.org or drop us a note at Accessible Arts, Inc., 1100 State Ave., Kansas City, KS, 66102-4411 or feel free to call us at (913) 281-1133. We also welcome feedback about our programming and the content of our newsletter. Thank you for your help in this matter.

Accessible Arts, Inc.
1100 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66102-4411
(913) 281-1133 [Voice & TTY] (913) 281-1515 [Fax]
e-mail: accarts@accessiblearts.org

For large print or Braille newsletter contact Accessible Arts

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