NDCA Receives $17,000 Grant to Conduct Statewide Forum on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities

In collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Arts and Disability Center (NADC) is administering a national initiative that provides support and technical assistance to State Arts Agencies to convene a Statewide Forum on Careers in the Arts. The North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) was one of only three states to be awarded a grant in the amount of $17,000 to conduct Statewide Forums on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities. $15,000 was awarded by NADC and the NEA; and an additional $2,000 was provided by Social Security Administration.

NDCA, together with Dakota West Arts Council (DWAC, a VSA arts affiliate), and the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities (NDCPD, a University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities), will conduct an eleven month program to assess the education and career needs and barriers for artists and arts administrators with disabilities; and develop and implement strategies to overcome the barriers, and advance the careers of individuals with disabilities.

NDCA has established a Project Planning Committee to oversee and advise the operations of this project. Members include Amy Schmidt, Accessibility Coordinator/Public Information Officer for NDCA; Linda Olsrud, Executive Director of DWAC; Dr. Brent Askvig, Associate Director of NDCPD; Dawn Olson, Consumer Liaison for NDCPD; Sherry Shadley, a Business & Development Director for the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre; Louise Pinkerton, Opera Singer; Angie Kokott, Folk Artist; Matt Philipenko, AAS, Owner and Operator of Life’s Legacy, a Photo/Video Production Company; and Linda Little, Bronze Sculptor. Inclusion of individuals with disabilities will assure that the project addresses specific needs, and examines its work from the perspective of those to be served.

To date, NDCA, NDCPD and DWAC has conducted four regional forums to ascertain barriers and potentially effective strategies for promoting arts careers for individuals with disabilities in North Dakota.

The four regional forums were held on:

• October 23, 2007, from 1:00-4:00 pm (CST) in Bismarck at the Bismarck Public Library

• November 15, 2007, from 1:00-4:00 pm (CST) in Grand Forks at the North Dakota Museum of Art

• January 8, 2008, from 1:00-4:00 pm (CST) in Minot at the Minot State University Campus Library

• February 20, 2008, from 1:00-4:00 pm (CST) in Fargo at the Plains Art Museum.

Statewide Conference April 7, 2008
The feedback gained from the regional forums has enabled us to develop effective strategies for promoting career opportunities for individuals with disabilities. These strategies will be presented at a Statewide Conference in Bismarck on April 7, 2008, at the Kelly Inn Hotel from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. (registration opens at 8:45 a.m., continental breakfast served). The key note speaker will be Craig Dunn, Executive Director of VSA arts of Minnesota. During the conference the North Dakota VSA affiliate, DWAC, will host a VSA Art Venture art show, and a participant art show where all conference attendees will be invited to display sample work; and their will be performances by two artists with disabilities.

Who should attend the conference: Individuals with disabilities who are interested in pursuing careers as artists or arts administrators (and family and friends); and anyone currently working as an artist or arts administrator (beginning, emerging and professional artists, arts organizations, arts councils, etc.).

Pre-registration is requested. Registration fee for the conference is $25 (includes lunch). Registration fee and travel assistance may be available to individuals interested in attending, but who are unable due to financial restraints. To register, call Amy Schmidt at (701) 328-7594, or email amschmid@nd.gov.

If you would like more information on the North Dakota Statewide Forums on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities, contact Amy Schmidt at (701) 328-7594, via email at amschmid@nd.gov; or Linda Olsrud at (701) 222-6640, via email at linda@dakotawest.org.

Requests for special accommodations, sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Dawn Olson at (800) 233-1737 at least 5 days prior to attendance.

This project is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Social Security Administration, and the National Arts and Disability Center at the University of California Los Angeles.