1. ARTS EXPEDITION Awareness Education Experience Advocacy
2. Funding support provided by the 2
3. A Guide to Career Development Opportunities for Visual and
Performing Artists with Disabilities from 3
4. WEBINAR ONE Introduction 4
5. The Tennessee Arts Commission and VSA Tennessee are
partnering on this series of four webinars to provide resources,
encouragement, and inspiration to artists with disabilities. At the
end of each webinar, youll give us feedback on your experience.
After you finish four webinars, and provide feedback, youll receive
a certificate of completion. 5
6. The Tennessee Arts Commission is a state agency that funds
and supports quality arts experiences that add value to the lives
of every citizen, and enhances the quality of life in Tennessee
communities. 6
7. VSA Tennessee is part of an important history of equality
and opportunity in the arts through a national organization created
in 1974 by Jean Kennedy Smith to provide opportunities for people
with disabilities to participate in, learn through, and enjoy the
arts. Formerly Very Special Arts Tennessee, the statewide
organization, founded in 2001, offers a wide range of programs for
varied artistic interests and abilities, with an emphasis on
serving young people. 7
8. In this first webinar, youll be introduced to the topics to
be covered in more detail later. Youll get some tips on getting
started and notes on resources which may be helpful to you. Youll
also hear from a successful professional artist with a disability.
Throughout the webinar series, more artists will add their voices,
giving you practical advice and inspiration. Like you, they know
the challenges and the joys of pursuing a career in the arts.
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9. First, youll hear from J.P. Williams, a Nashville- based
performing songwriter signed to renowned publisher Major Bob Music.
As a signed songwriter, he earns a living writing country pop
songs. He goes into Major Bobs every day of the work week, usually
collaborating with another writer. 9
10. JP has performed everywhere from the Kennedy Center in
Washington, D.C. and colleges throughout the Northeast U.S. to pubs
in Ireland on assignment for Budget Travel Magazine. Along the way,
he's opened for Charlie Daniels, Ricky Skaggs and Randy Travis, to
name a few. He also has taught private music lessons. JP has a
music degree from University of Tennessee Chattanooga. 10
11. When you go into a creative field, remember that it is a
business. Criticism is par for the course. You have to take the
good criticism and leave behind the bad. If you want to go into a
career in music, painting, acting or dancewhatever the medium of
artrecognize from the start that it is a business. Dont take things
too personally. 11
12. JPs early musical influences included James Taylor, Garth
Brooks and Billy Joel. More recently hes found inspiration in the
music of John Mayer and Keith Urban. Reflecting on his early
influences and aspirations, JP says 12
13. Its hard enough to be a teenager, but if youre completely
blind, thats a tough deal. Any time you find that you have a talent
in something, its a really good thing. In high school, I was the
blind guy who showed up at the party with a guitar. Then, Im just
one of the guys. Its always been a great way to connect with others
and to find common ground with people. You get affirmation from
others. 13
14. My voice teacher in high school was the first person who
really encouraged me, outside of my family and church. She said
that with a lot of practice and instruction I could get good at
this and to keep plugging away at it. She took me seriously and
took time out of her schedule to be supportive. 14
15. Who are your artistic influences and inspirations? 15
16. SESSION TWO Increase Your Awareness and Identify
Opportunities 16
17. Enjoy the arts. Feed your soul. Network with other artists.
Become an expert on your local arts scene. 17
18. What opportunities in the arts are available to you in your
own community? If you take some time to think about this, you might
be surprised at the length of the list you generate. Get creative
when you consider the possibilities and investigate ways to build
your resume, network, and increase your visibility as an artist.
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19. Do you have a local arts council? If so, what programs do
they offer and how can you tap into them? 19
20. Whats available to you in terms of education and training?
You might take a class. If you dont have a degree, explore
opportunities at local universities and community colleges. Have
you explored career counseling services? The local office of the
state employment commission and other organizations offer advice,
programs, and career-building workshops on such topics as creating
a resume and applying for jobs. 20
21. As your journey begins, its well worth the time to explore
four important web sites. Each is rich source of ideas, programs,
and inspiration. 21
22. www.tn.gov/arts The web site of the Tennessee Arts
Commission features an overview of accessibility and inclusion
initiatives, information on grants, helpful links to other
resources, and listings of dozens of offerings and events. You or
an arts organization in your community may be eligible for funding
assistance. 22
23. www.tn4arts.org/advocacy Tennesseans for the Arts
emphasizes advocacy and support, including a comprehensive online
advocacy toolkit and links to contact information for state and
local government officials. 23
24. www.vsatn.org The web site of VSA Tennessee is your portal
to workshops and special activities throughout the state. Sign up
to receive the newsletter for upcoming events to stay informed and
network with other artists. 24
25. www.kennedy-center.org/education/vsa The Kennedy Center is
the administrative home of VSA, the international network on
Disability and the Arts, including the affiliate in Tennessee.
Here, youll find a full library of resources, including a number of
helpful and inspiring publications on career development. On the
main page, click on Resources from the listing on the right side.
From there, select for artists beneath the resources heading, also
on the right side of the page. 25
26. SESSION THREE Gain Experience and Promote Yourself 26
27. Imagine the possibilities. As an artist, you have an
advantage - your own imagination! Get yourself out there. Share
your talents. 27
28. Here are just a few tips on gaining experience, which may
already be a part of your career development. Perform at your
church, local nursing homes, and special events like receptions and
festivals (where stipends may be available). Volunteer to teach
children or adults, including senior citizens at community centers,
assisted living facilities, or nursing homes. 28
29. Get involved in community theatre as a performing artist or
designer/painter Join a local chorus or orchestra. Exhibit your art
in places besides galleries a community center, a business, or an
arts venue. Think creatively about non-traditional locations that
might be willing to show your work. 29
30. PROMOTE YOURSELF! Pull together a great resume and
portfolio. Create a biography and cover letter. Gather references.
Create a brochure about you, including photographs of your work in
the visual or the performing arts. Produce a dynamic packet to
promote yourself and keep it up to date. Your own personal
promotional plan may include a web site, along with Facebook and
other social media. 30
31. SESSION FOUR Advocacy 31
32. Evaluate the accessibility of arts and education facilities
in your community. If you see the need for improvements, contact
key people within an organization and advocate for increased
inclusion. These key people will range from community outreach and
public relations staff to chief administrators. See the web site
for Tennesseans for the Arts, mentioned earlier, for a
comprehensive advocacy toolkit. Why is this important? Your own
personal advocacy will contribute to a cultural mindset of
inclusion and accessibility for all people. Heres an example from
the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in Nashville. 32
33. TPAC is one of the most accessible arts facilities in the
state with a mission to serve all of the citizens of Tennessee. In
addition to seating, with companions, for people who use wheel
chairs, accessible parking is designated nearby. Assisted listening
devices are available. In addition to other basic services, TPAC
provides, on request, personalized assistance to audience members.
The accessibility overview on TPACs web site
(www.tpac.org/visiting) includes contact information, also
available from customer service agents by telephone, 615-782-4040.
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34. For each show in its Broadway series, TPAC provides
American Sign Language and open captioning for patrons with hearing
impairments, along with audio description - live narration of the
action on the stage - for patrons with visual impairments. These
services are offered on the first Sunday matinee of Broadway tours.
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35. TPAC also is committed to exhibiting the visual art of
people with disabilities - not something you might expect from a
performing arts center. This is a great example of a
non-traditional exhibit opportunity. These lobby exhibits showcase
the work of Tennessee artists, increasing visibility and raising
awareness about the organizations they represent. TPAC actively
partners with a variety of advocacy groups on accessibility. Their
feedback, advice, and promotion are vital to the success of
providing services to people with disabilities. 35
36. SESSION FIVE Resources 36
37. TENNESSEE DISABILITY PATHFINDER Tennessee Disability
Pathfinder is an excellent general source for people with
disabilities, with listings on the regional, state and national
level for a wide variety of organizations and programs. Pathfinder
staff members work with individuals, guiding their search for
information and resources on a wide variety of concerns. Visit the
web site or call 1-800-640-4636 http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/pathfinder
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38. CENTERS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING Centers for Independent
Living (under a variety of names) offer resources and general
assistance to people with disabilities. Visit this web site and
click on the state of Tennessee to view offices in your area (or
call Tennessee Disability Pathfinder for a recommendation). Visit
the web site http://www.virtualcil.net/cils 38
39. This concludes the introductory webinar to Arts Expedition,
a project of the Tennessee Arts Commission and VSA Arts Tennessee.
Before you give feedback on this session, lets hear again from JP
Williams, who believes in the inspirational power of a dream.
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40. When you have a dream it helps you to get up in the
morning. Whether or not you achieve that dream, you have something
to look forward to. I ask myself, What can I learn today? Thats
what kept me persevering all these years. A dream gives you
direction, a trajectory, something to point yourself towards
achieving. 40
41. WHATS YOUR DREAM? The ultimate goal of this webinar series
is to support and encourage you as you pursue a career in the arts
in Tennessee. DREAM ON! Please fill out the brief questionnaire at
the end of this presentation! 41
42. SPECIAL THANKS Tennessee Council on Developmental
Disabilities, Funding Support Christian Kissinger, Narrator Public
Consulting Group, Inc. PCG Education, Design Lori Ward, Script JP
Williams, Guest Artist Always Near Recording Studio 42
43. ARTS EXPEDITION QUESTIONNAIRE Please fill out the brief
questionnaire by clicking the link below! For assistance or more
information, contact VSA Tennessee at [email protected] or
(615) 826-5252. 43