VSAMI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes creative expression and arts education for people with disabilities in Michigan. It engages over 1,296 students each year, most of whom have disabilities, by providing arts instruction from professional artists in classrooms. VSAMI works with a statewide network of partners and provides training to artists and educators. It is seeking funding to continue arts residency programs in Northeast Michigan schools that have lost state grant support.

1. WWW.VSAMI.ORG
Promoting
creative power
in people with
disabilities.

2. “I can’t change the
direction of the
wind, but I can
adjust my sails to
always reach my
destination.” –
JIMMY DEAN
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
PREP PROGRAM WWW.VSAMI.ORG

3. WHO WE ARE
STUDENT CLAYWORK
COOPER COUNTY LEARNING CENTERWWW.VSAMI.ORG
VSA Michigan (VSAMI) is a 501(c)(3) non-
profit, tax exempt organization that
promotes creative power in people with
disabilities by working to create an
inclusive society where they may
participate in, learn through, excel in, and
enjoy the arts.
We do this by engaging and collaborating
with a statewide network of artists,
educators, families, paraprofessionals,
and many community leaders all working
together with this unified goal.

4. JIM DEE RESIDENCY
HOUGHTON, MI WWW.VSAMI.ORG
VSAMI is a member of the affiliate network of
VSA - the International Organization on Arts
and Disability founded in 1974 by Jean
Kennedy Smith, with offices at the John F.
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in
Washington, DC.
Each year, VSA provides arts engagement
and opportunities for millions of people
throughout the United States and in over
50 countries worldwide.

5. FROM THE 2016-2017
TOURING EXHIBIT WWW.VSAMI.ORG
VSAMI BY THE NUMBERS*
1, 296
101 205
12 50
number of students engaged,
898 of whom have disabilities
classroom teachers paraprofessionals
average hours of learning in
and through the arts taught by
professional dancers, actors,
musicians, storytellers,
filmmakers, and visual artists.
total of artists and
educators receiving 5-20
hours of training by
VSAMI in a series of
professional
development workshops
* Statewide, 2017 year

6. NORTHEAST MICHIGAN
NORTHEAST MICHIGAN
WWW.VSAMI.ORG
For the past 8 years, we have successfully collaborated with the
Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle Educational Service District to provide
artists in residence in COP-ESD classrooms.
This year, 106 students in 9 classrooms are engaged in and learning through
visual arts and music in Cheboygan, Gaylord and Onaway.
Eight teaching artists attended a Community of Practice workshop where
they received training to successfully teach their art to differentiate learners.
This year, however, unlike the years prior, a grant from the Michigan Council
for Arts and Cultural Affairs was not awarded to the district.
We need your help in obtaining funding to continue these programs
in Northeast Michigan without state support.

7. WHY SHOULD I
GET INVOLVED?
EAST ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL, CHEBOYGAN WWW.VSAMI.ORG
The arts enhance an individual's humanity.
They improve health, mental well-being, cognitive
functioning, creative ability, and academic
performance.
For these reasons, every person deserves access to
appropriate learning experiences in the arts and all
children. Youth and adults with disabilities should
have complete access to community cultural facilities
and activities.
By supporting VSA Michigan, you are promoting the
creative power and possibilities in people with
disabilities.

8. JOIN
Visit a residency
program in progress
Volunteer at a VSAMI
Festival
Attend a Show and
Share Event
Help an existing
program become
more inclusive
Attend a Community
of Practice Workshop
CONNECT
Connect new
schools/communities
to VSAMI
Stay connected to
VSAMI through Social
Media and email
updates
WWW.VSAMI.ORG
Provide funding for a
VSAMI program
Offer your space for a
VSAMI workshop
Donate art supplies
Donate through
Amazon Smile
Every bit of help
counts!
DONATE
HOW TO GET INVOLVED

9. THANK
YOU
OUR PROGRAM IS
MADE POSSIBLE BY
WWW.VSAMI.ORG | INFO@VSAMI.ORG | 313-870-9624
And your support.