Changing Landscapes: An Ongoing Art Exhibit at ICI
The Institute on Community Integration is engaged with partners in the Twin Cities community to display artwork by individuals with disabilities in Pattee Hall, the main office building of ICI on the University of Minnesota East Bank Campus. New installments of art are displayed approximately every four months, and are accompanied by a celebration and tour. Staff and visitors are invited to purchase art directly from the participating organizations. Partners exhibiting artwork in 2008-2009 include Interact Center for Visual and Performing Arts, Partnership Resources Inc., and VSA arts of Minnesota.
On Exhibit Now
Artists from VSA arts of Minnesota are currently exhibiting their work in Pattee Hall. This is the first exhibit by VSA arts of Minnesota, our newest partner in the Changing Landscapes collaboration. VSA arts of MN is unique in that they support individuals with disabilities in creating art in their homes and communities, throughout the state of Minnesota. See more below.
Come celebrate and hear from the artists on July 22, 2009 from 3-5pm. Craig Dunn of VSA arts of MN and several artists will discuss their work at 3pm in 325 Education Sciences Building. Tours of artwork in Pattee Hall to follow (beginning approximately 4:30pm in the front lobby). No need to RSVP. Contact Megan Dushin at dushi001@umn.edu or 612-626-8649 or Pat Salmi at salm0054@umn.edu or 612-625-9700 for more information.
VSA arts of MN is a statewide arts organization creating a community where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in and access the arts. Its programming includes artist residences in public schools, professional development workshops in community locations, visual art exhibits in social service offices and arts accessibility services provided to arts organizations around the state. VSA arts of MN is part of VSA arts, a network of 42 state and 65 international organizations and headquartered in in Washington, D.C. VSA arts of MN is the only state affiliate that offers an annual grant program to artists with disabilities. Please visit their Web site if you are interested in supporting their work with a financial donation.
Arts & Disability Symposium at Weisman Art Museum, October 30, 2009
To expand on this successful collaboration, we were awarded two grants to host the Changing Landscapes: Symposium on the Arts & Disability. This 1-day symposium, to be held on October 30, 2009, will draw together artists with disabilities, disability service providers, University faculty/staff/students, arts instructors, arts advocates, and others state-wide to share ideas and strengthen opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the arts. This event will include a keynote address by Tom di Maria, director of Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland, CA, and several panels to raise awareness and questions around opportunities for artists with disabilities. Collaborators include the University's Disability Services and Weisman Art Museum, and community partners, VSA arts of Minnesota, Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, Rise, Inc., and Partnership Resources, Inc. Funded by the University of Minnesota's Office of the Vice President and Vice Provost for Equity and Diversity, and the University's Imagine Fund, supported by a generous donation from the McKnight Foundation. More information to follow. For more information, please contact Megan Dushin, dushi001@umn.edu, (612) 626-8649 or Pat Salmi, salm0054@umn.edu, (612) 625-9700.
Photos of 2007-2008 Tours and Art Opening Events
See our slideshow of all 2007-2008 tours including guest comments or select an individual tour below:
- 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
In the News
- 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
Acknowledgments
Thanks to the generous support of ICI, its committed staff members, and the participating organizations and artists loaning and selling their artwork.
2008-2009 Arts Committee Members: Megan Dushin (co-chair), Pat Salmi (co-chair), Melissa Critchley-Rodriguez, Kelly Hrenko, and Cliff Poetz.
2007-2008 Arts Committee Members at ICI (from left to right): Megan Dushin, Pat Salmi, Derek Nord, Melissa Critchley-Rodriguez, and Cliff Poetz. Congratulations to the committee for winning the ICI Excellence and Community Building Award in 2008!
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.
More Information
For more information, please contact Megan Dushin, dushi001@umn.edu, (612) 626-8649 or Pat Salmi, salm0054@umn.edu, (612) 625-9700.