ARTS for ALL Wisconsin, an affiliate of the Very Special Arts (VSA) program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, was founded in 1974 with the mission of creating a society where people with disabilities could learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts.
The organization started with a one-day festival for school-aged children in 1977 and was incorporated in 1985. After that, ARTS for ALL Wisconsin quickly moved to initiate ongoing programming leading into the festivals. This was done with the aim of integrating people with disabilities into the mainstream, providing them with an outlet for creative expression and the opportunity for personal, academic, and professional success.
Today, the organization continues to provide effective and well-loved arts programs for people with disabilities throughout Wisconsin. ARTS for ALL Wisconsin is unique in that it provides statewide, in-depth, and comprehensive programming across the full spectrum of arts activities and disabilities.
Our School & Community Arts programs are designed for classrooms, community sites, or other groups (afterschool, community, etc.) and can be integrated into remote learning. Led by professional teaching artists, they foster creativity, artistic expression and self confidence in children and adults. Teaching artists work collaboratively with sites to customize programming for individual and group needs.
Participants with and without disabilities engage in hands-on, interactive arts programming led by experienced teaching artists who have experience working with individuals of varying ability levels. Programs are available in all artistic disciplines, including visual art, movement, music, drama, and creative writing.