VSA arts of Brevard

Programs

Playwright Discovery Program.  "Pen Power" is a playwriting contest for high school students challenging them to take a closer look at the world around them, examine how disability effects their lives and the lives of others, and express their views through the art of playwriting. For guidelines and entry forms click here. For a teacher's guide, please go to www.vsarts.org , click on Resources, then look under For Educators and Parents.

Teacher In-service Training.  Typically, two teacher in-service training sessions are held annually.

Arts for All Lending Program.  Special Arts for All equipment is available to schools and other organizations wanting to bring art to the physically disabled.. 

Arts for All Lending Library             Equipment Request Forms  

Artists in Residence.  Two artists will visit each of the participating sites with special needs populations for an hour long training session in the arts.  Information will be sent to registered VSA arts teachers.  

Holiday Card Contest.  This program encourages special needs children in the Brevard County school system to create drawings and paintings with a holiday theme. The submissions are judged by our sponsor, (the law offices of Graham, Molettiere and Torpy, PA), and awards made. The winning work is used by our sponsor as the cover of their corporate holiday greeting card. All of the participants receive a certificate of accomplishment. Additional cards are available for sale by contacting Janice Kershaw at jkershaw@bacbrevard.com. For entry forms and contest related documents,please click here.

National Programs. Two national programs, Express Diversity and Start with the Arts.   Express Diversity and Start with the Arts offer educational resources to teacher's and caregivers. Local training is available. For more information, or to request the training, contact VSA arts of Florida-Brevard at jkershaw@bacbrevard.com or by calling (312) 610-2160 ext. 208.

Touring Art.  Selected works created for the Festival are displayed at various public venues.  This helps showcase the talents of the special needs population for the general public.

Outreach Programs. Nationally acclaimed dance company of both sit-down and able-bodied dancers, Dancing Wheels presented "The Snowman" on December 13, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at The King Center for the Performing Arts. The performance included a segment featuring local children in grades 2-7 who auditioned for parts and held rehearsals beginning in October. School assemblies were planned for the week of December 12. This project was presented by the King Center in partnership with Brevard County School District and VSA arts of Florida-Brevard. Stay tuned for upcoming outreach opportunities.

Summer Arts Service-Learning Program. During the summer, individuals with and without disabilities work together creating beautiful public art. The program is a collaborative effort between VSA arts of Florida-Brevard, The Florida Inclusion Network, and the Brevard County School District . The program accomplishes the following:

1. To serve the community by providing a beautiful public art project.
2. To give students a meaningful learning opportunity during the summer to bring the arts to life.
3. To enhance participation by offering high school credit and service hours towards Bright Futures and other scholarships.
4. And, to promote inclusion by encouraging the participation of students who might not otherwise be taking classes together-those students pursuing traditional diplomas, as well as those seeking special diplomas.

Pictured below are students working on a mural painting project at the Blue Heron Water Reclamation Facility in Titusville in 2005.

The image below is a mosaic completed in 2004 that is permanently installed at Sherwood Park Pool in Melbourne

A mosaic completed in 2006 is permanently installed at Bayside High School in Palm Bay.

© VSA Arts of Florida
300 North Dr. - Suite 104 - Melbourne, FL 32934
Phone: (321) 610-2160 ext. 208
Fax: (321) 259-3670
Email