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VSA arts 
of New Mexico
4904 4th N.W.
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Phone 505-345-2872
Fax: 505-345-2896
NM Relay Network:
1-800-659-8331
[email protected]

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VSA New Mexico History

Part I Early Programming
Part II Transitions
Part II 1990's and Beyond

VSA New Mexico began as a program of the City of Albuquerque in 1981. After receiving a grant from the National Committee*Arts for the Handicapped, the City began Very Special Arts programming with a spring series of ten school-based special events which culminated in a week of special events and a one day Very Special Arts Festival in October, 1981. The festival brought together more than 50 artists and 1,400 special education students, their non-disabled peers, teachers, and parents for a celebration featuring arts workshops, performance, exhibits, and demonstrations. Begun as a celebration of the creative spirit, the organization now reaches 50,000 people statewide through three core programs.

Nationally, the organization changed its name to Very Special Arts in 1984 and then in June, 1999 became VSA arts. While the name of the organization and its affiliates have undergone numerous name changes, the mission has remained the same. VSA arts is non-profit organization that provides services to ensure that the arts are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Founded in 1974 by Jean Kennedy Smith, VSA arts is an affiliate of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. VSA arts is designated by the United States Congress as the nation's coordinating agency of arts programs for individuals with disabilities. The programs of VSA arts are implemented through a diverse network of state and international organizations who assess the needs of people with disabilities in their communities and provide arts programs in partnership with local educational and cultural institutions, disability organizations, persons with disabilities, parents, volunteers, teachers, trainers, artists, health specialists and other experts.

VSA arts celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1999 with the publication of The Journey to Here: 25 Stories for 25 Years. This publication and accompanying photo exhibit feature the stories of three New Mexico artists who actively take part in the programs and services offered by VSA New Mexico.

Early Programming
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VSA programming in New Mexico was initially a component of the City of Albuquerque's Therapeutic Recreation Advisory Council (TRAC). The organization's programming focus has changed along with the organizational structure. Preliminary programs emphasized training artists and educators to develop accessible arts programs for the Albuquerque area. Festivals, special events, in-school, summer, and after school programs and arts activities in collaboration with other agencies, were among the program offerings. In 1982, the National Committee asked the City of Albuquerque to coordinate VSA programs statewide. An alliance with the state's first arts magnet school, Longfellow Elementary School, led to the development of an annual six day Festival program and artist-in-residence activities. The City of Albuquerque, Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), and the New Mexico Arts Division (NMA) became the main sources of support for Albuquerque programs. Funds from the national organization were re-granted to agencies throughout the state to develop local program options in other areas.

VSA programs in New Mexico were recognized for their diversity and artistic integrity. Albuquerque was cited as one of the country's most "livable cities," and Very Special Arts was noted as a factor in that recognition. Through the mid-1980s this City-sponsored program presented accessible arts education programs, festivals, trainings, residencies, performances and exhibits.

Transitions
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The major source of funding for the national organization has been and continues to be the U.S. Department of Education. In the mid-1980s, the National Committee*Arts for the Handicapped determined that, with no increase in federal funds likely, the best organizational strategy would be the adoption of a new national identity, Very Special Arts, and the development of 50 state level non-profit Very Special Arts corporations. In 1986, the Therapeutic Recreation Advisory Council (TRAC) voted to change its name to Very Special Arts New Mexico (VSA NM), in compliance with national guidelines, and became the single body responsible for VSA policy in the state. VSA NM's non-profit status received Internal Revenue Service final approval in 1987.

Stabilizing past partnerships, VSA NM was also able to forge new alliances with a variety of agencies including the State Department of Education. This shift enabled VSA NM to emphasize the development of models for statewide accessible arts programs. After experimenting with a number of service delivery approaches throughout the state, VSA NM decided to address ongoing accessible artistic opportunities, through a network of 12 geographical districts.

1990's and Beyond
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The state office had begun to serve more in a facilitation role and less as a program initiator by the early 1990s. VSA NM received support to field test several national VSA projects including Transition to Work through the Arts, the ITT Career Development Project, Project PARTnership, and the National Native American Project. More than 2,500 students, teachers, artists and parents attended the first two National Native American Very Special Arts Festivals, hosted in Santa Fe in 1991 and Albuquerque in 1992. These festivals became the model for Native American festivals which have been hosted around the country. The organization was also an active participant in an arts integration training project for classroom teachers sponsored by the New Mexico Arts Division from 1989-1992.

In 1992, VSA NM completed and published the results of a three-year research project, Arts Impact, which validated the positive effect of arts education methodologies on student problem solving skills. The Buen Viaje Dancers, a troupe of dancers with multiple disabilities begun in 1984, toured statewide and began to receive numerous out-of-state engagements. The Dancers had become the ambassadors of VSA NM, exemplifying the creative accomplishments of persons with severe disabilities. VSA NM had the largest state supported artist-in-residence program in New Mexico, with sites from Carlsbad in the southern part of the state to Taos in the north. More than 20 Very Special Arts Festivals were presented in Districts throughout the state and VSA NM presented artists of distinction including National Theatre of the Deaf and Access Theatre. Additionally, VSA NM offered training to assist communities in making the arts accessible and disseminated national, state, and local models for developing arts access.

Participation in the National Endowment for the Arts Phase I Advancement Program from 1992-1995 gave VSA NM the opportunity to revise organizational priorities with the assistance of an arts consultant, as well as a $75,000 grant to implement a long-range plan. One of the most significant changes in programming resulting from the Advancement planning process was the refocusing of the ENABLED exhibit program as a programming center. The NEA planning process helped the Board and staff develop a vision for a centralized focus for the organization, addressing both long-term organizational dreams and the desire for some sense of stability in a rapidly changing world. The Board also further narrowed the focus by making a commitment to services for those most in need; i.e., individuals with severe disabilities. This also provided a forum for testing the philosophy that the arts are truly of value for all. The Enabled Studio Arts Program, opened in 1992, provides an Albuquerque base for VSA NM programming as the organization moves into the next century, and an ongoing demonstration of the power and potential of the arts in the lives of people with disabilities. It was based on models of studio arts programs for persons with disabilities developed by Florence and Elias Katz in California.

When sufficient resources could not be located to effectively support the statewide district structure, the Board and staff made a strategic decision in 1994 to concentrate efforts on a centralized hub and a few focused outreach programs: 1) the Enabled Studio Arts Program, 2) the Buen Viaje Dancers, and 3) Arts For All.

The Enabled Arts Center grew rapidly from a 900-square foot facility to almost 6,000 square feet including several visual arts studios, a performing arts studio, a gallery, and administrative offices. Daily enrollment in the Center's vocational and pre-vocational arts training program increased from three to 40 apprentice artists. An annual exhibit calendar was developed and extended hours programming and training programs were housed at the Center. The Center was now truly able to serve as the hub of VSA NM operations.

In 1995, VSA NM reached more than 50,000 people through festivals, artist residencies, exhibits, performances, training workshops, and newsletters and other publications. Sixty apprentice artists received vocational and pre-vocational training in the arts at VSA NM's Enabled Studio Arts Program. The Buen Viaje Dancers, now artists-in-residence at the Enabled Arts Center, presented performances and workshops for 1,500 in addition to touching many more thousands through the airing of the Emmy award winning television documentary Opening Doors. More than 4,000 persons around the state attended Very Special Arts Festivals and another 1,000 individuals received training in arts accessibility. Sales of client art work and the commissions received by artists tripled the 1994 levels.

VSA NM also co-hosted the 1995 western regional Very Special Arts conference, The Creative Spirit, providing training for more than 100 individuals from throughout the country and showcasing the talents of New Mexico artists. Arts Accessibility Initiatives continued to encourage statewide arts education efforts such as The Seeds of Change Festival in Canoncito and Very Special Arts on the Road training in Zuni Pueblo.

And, at the request of the Albuquerque Public Schools, VSA NM started ARTS WORK, a transition program to assist special education in pursuing careers in the arts and other creative fields.

In 1996, opportunities for Very Special Arts continued to expand through a wide array of exhibition opportunities. The staff began implementation of a vocationally oriented curricular framework at the Center and a partnership with Freedom High School brought many new resources. A handicapped-accessible van provided opportunities to take individual artists and original productions into the community. And a new videotape, Opening Doors: Dancing with Disabilities, featuring the Buen Viaje Dancers, was distributed to dance professionals nationwide. Very Special Arts on the Road provided training in Roswell. VSA NM also assisted in defining new national directions for Very Special Arts by hosting a focus group on the concept of disability culture.

It has been rewarding to see the concept of accessible arts programs being developed around the state including the Challenge New Mexico Studio Arts Program and Santa Maria El Mirador Art Business Project in Santa Fe and the Court Youth Center in Las Cruces. The Enabled Arts Center hosts hundreds of visitors each year and is called on to provide technical assistance to individuals and organizations throughout the world.

A new VSA NM strategic plan for 1997-2000 was developed through a broad-based planning process. The national organization began the process of creating and introducing a new name for the organization in August, 1997. The intention is to find a name which better conveys the work of the organization. This has led to spirited local discussion among staff, Board and constituents. As the New Mexico affiliate, the Board is carefully considering how this change will impact programs and services in the next century.

The support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts generated other significant foundation support including grants from the McCune, Albuquerque Community, US WEST, General Mills, and Coe Foundations and New Mexico Arts and the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council. Income sources for the organization changed from 90% reliance on government grants to 65% earned revenue from program services. The organization has grown from two employees in 1989 to approximately 25 in 1998. Response to this growth has included providing extensive training to staff in program related areas and to both Board and staff in development and marketing strategies. ARTS WORK Partnerships are assisting the organization in developing new entrepreneurial efforts which are designed to generate income for artists with disabilities and financial sustainability for the organization.

In September 1997, VSA NM hosted a Western Regional Start with the Arts Training Institute and Statewide Conference attended by approximately 150 individuals. Response was so positive and requests for training so clear that another conference is already being planned for September, 1999 in Las Cruces.

VSA NM became the first VSA affiliate organization to gain accreditation as a community support service provider through CARF (The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission) in October, 1997. The organization also had increasing success in providing job training opportunities in the community through arts teaching experiences at Chamiza Elementary School and the development of a range of community exhibit sites. Guest artists of the highest caliber were presented throughout 1997-98 including jazz artist Bert Wilson and the LIGHT MOTION Dance Company. The Enabled Writer was introduced as a special project to provide a forum for writers with disabilities. VSA NM participated in other publishing efforts. It began refining the ARTS WORK Curricular Framework as a resource for opening career training opportunities in the arts to individuals with disabilities and persons transitioning for school-to-work and welfare-to-work and also participated in a national VSA effort to compile a guide on dance and disability.

In the late 1990s, enrollment at the Enabled Arts Center reached its maximum at 50 and youth programs with Chamiza Elementary School, Designs for Learning Differences School, and Freedom, Manzano, and Valley High Schools extended the organization's reach. And on-site, VSA NM was able to more fully implement its art recycling program with the donation of the Global Depot Recycle Art Studio. The Global Depot provided space for the development of recycled art products as well as field trips and camps in art recycling for the community. Accessible art-making equipment created by the Arts for All program extended the possibilities available to artists with limited mobility. VSA NM's Buen Viaje Dancers were invited to represent the state at the 1999 International Art & Soul Festival in Los Angeles and a collaboration initiated by VSA Massachusetts brought VSA NM together in a partnership with the Office of Cultural Affairs, New Mexico Arts, the Museums of New Mexico and the Governor's Committee on Concerns of the Handicapped to offer cultural access training in communities throughout the state. VSA NM was honored to be asked to present its centralized hub model for programming to the national Board of Directors of VSA in March, 1999.

The arts work for thousands of individuals with disabilities in New Mexico at the turn of the century.

The New Mexico Department of Health's most recent survey of the size of disability community in the state reports that at least 19% of the population have a disability. Advances in medical technology that improve the survival rates of accident victims, persons with serious illnesses, and premature infants also increase the number of persons with disabilities. Trying to develop a systematic plan for service delivery is very challenging when facing the variables of increasing demand, shrinking school and government budgets, geography, and an unstable economy. VSA NM, currently reaching 50,000 people annually, is motivated by the challenge to provide both in-depth services and to encourage other service providers to develop accessible cultural programs and facilities.

Joyce Bashein
Artist and Friend of VSA NM
1948 - 1985