Changing Landscapes —
Supporting Artists with Disabilities

The Institute on Community Integration is engaged with partners at the University of Minnesota and in the Twin Cities community to support artists with disabilities. We display new sets of art by artists with disabilities in Pattee Hall, the main office building of ICI, every four months (since 2007); and in 2009 we hosted the Symposium on the Arts and Disability.

New installments of art are displayed in Pattee Hall, the workplace of the Institute on Community Integration, approximately every four months. Staff and visitors are invited to purchase art directly from the participating organizations.

Current Art Exhibit - Interact Center

From November 2012 through January 2013, the work of artists with disabilities from Interact Center will be on display. In this collection, we have over 30 paintings, sculpture, and home decor pieces exhibited on all 3 floors and in select conference rooms and suites. Much of this art is for sale and pieces have already sold on the first day of the exhibit! Thank you Interact Center artists!

Past Art Exhibits

Lifeworks Services (June - September 2012)

We displayed over 30 pieces from Lifeworks Services' traveling collection. Art, music, theater, photography, and art history are taught by volunteers, guest artists and Lifeworks staff. Clients have the opportunity to display their art at events around the community, as part of the Lifeworks Traveling Art Show.

ART-Abilities (November 2011 - February 2012)

We exhibited over 35 pieces from ART-Abilities Gallery celebrating artwork and creativity by Twin Cities artists of all abilities. This show was presented in collaboration with ARRM, Homeward Bound, Inc., and Star Services, and with community partners CCP, Harry Meyering Center, Opportunity Partners, Phoenix Alternative and REM The Mentor Network. This selection of art had been previously exhibited at the Ridgedale Library, and enjoyed an extended exhibit at Pattee Hall!

Brainstorms (January - May 2011)

Raising awareness about epilepsy, in collaboration with the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota

               

The Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (EFM) launched its Creative Arts program in 2004, the only program of its kind in Minnesota and eastern North Dakota. The BRAINSTORMS visual arts program is one of EFM’s three Creative Arts programs and features over 120 pieces from artists living with seizures. The collection travels throughout communities in Minnesota and eastern North Dakota to raise epilepsy awareness. See the full Brainstorms Art collection online.

Photos of Past Art Opening Events

• VSA arts of Minnesota on July 22, 2009
• Slideshow of all 2007-2008 tours including guest comments
• Courage Center Art Opening on June 12, 2008
• Partnership Resources, Inc. Art Opening on February 5, 2008
• Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts Art Opening on September 17, 2007

News Articles Related to Ongoing Exhibits

• Changing Landscapes: An art exhibit - Paintings showcase works made by Twin Cities area artists with disabilities, July 21, 2009, UMN Brief

• Show and Sell: U of M art exhibit promotes artists with disabilities, March 10, 2008, Access Press, Inc.

• ICI (MN UCEDD) Launches "Changing Landscapes: The Visiting Artists with Disabilities Project", January 7, 2008, Association for University Centers on Disability Web site.

• ICI Launches “Changing Landscapes: The Visiting Artists with Disabilities Project”, August 2007, ICI’s FYI Newsletter

Arts & Disability Symposium

The Institute was proud to co-host the Symposium on the Arts & Disability on October 30, 2009 at the Weisman Art Museum to share ideas and strengthen opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the arts. We were honored to have Tom di Maria, director of Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland, California, as our keynote speaker. In addition, three panels of prominent artists, educators, and program directors added to the discussion of ways to strengthen opportunities for artists with disabilities.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the generous support of ICI, its committed staff members, and the participating organizations and artists loaning and selling their artwork. Special thanks to a grant from the College of Education and Human Development’s Multicultural and Diversity Committee for supporting us in our inaugural year, 2007-2008.

2012-2013 Arts Committee Members

The following Institute on Community Integration staff comprise the Changing Landscapes Arts Committee:

• Megan Dushin (co-chair)
• Pat Salmi (co-chair)
• Melissa Critchley
• Mark Olson
• Cliff Poetz
• Amanda Ryan

Congratulations to the 2007-2008 committee for winning the ICI Excellence and Community Building Award in 2008!

More Information

Please contact Pat Salmi at salm0054@umn.edu or 612-625-9700; or Megan Dushin at dushi001@umn.edu or 612-626-8649 to inquire further.