Arts Center’s Outreach Program Honored by Del. Governor

An outreach program of the DSU Arts Center/Gallery (ACG) has recently been honored by Gov. Jack Markell.

VSA Delaware – one of several unique outreach programs of the ACG – recently received the 2014 Governor’s Award for the Arts.

In addition to providing art exhibitions and other cultural events, the ACG engages with the community through several unique outreach programs. VSA Delaware, one of the ACG’s community programs, received a 2014 Governor’s Award for the Arts. 

Gov. Markell honored the recipients of the 2014 Governor’s Awards for the Arts at an Oct. 6 presentation at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Delaware. The event was co-chaired by First Lady Carla Markell and Delaware State Arts Council Chair Lise Monty.

The ACG’s VSA Delaware (VSADE) provides artistic opportunities for individuals with disabilities throughout the state. By providing a unique link between the arts, disability, and education communities, VSADE (formerly known as Very Special Arts) recognizes the need for children and adults with disabilities to be provided with opportunities to participate and achieve in the areas of performing and visual arts. 

Using an established artist residency model to facilitate integrated arts education programming for students and adults with disabilities, VSADE provides cross-curricular learning with the arts as educational tools. The annual “Celebration of Creativity” traveling multimedia art exhibit celebrates the work of all visual arts residency participants.

VSADE’s Arts Administration Internships and Performing Arts Residency programs provide opportunities for transitional-age students to develop relevant employment skills, as well as communication and interpersonal competency. Delaware schools recognize VSADE as a leader in providing accessible integrated programming to students with disabilities.

Partnering with more than 40 Delaware schools, districts, and organizations, VSADE has worked diligently to develop dialogue about accessibility, cultural access, and universal design, so that Delaware arts organizations may improve their accessibility and outreach to diverse audiences.

VSA Delaware are under the direction of Jennifer Gunther, director of the DSU Arts Center/Gallery.  For the past 16 years VSA Delaware has been a part of the ACG.  Other ACG outreach programs include the Delaware Regional Scholastics Arts Awards and the Congressional Arts Awards.