In the world of visual art, adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities are often left out of the conversation.
A program at the University of Arizona is opening doors to give that community a chance to have their voices heard, but the program could be in jeopardy amidst potential funding challenges on the federal and state levels.
These cuts could affect grants for artists, community programs and educational initiatives.
”It’s really hard to combat against,” said Mari White, a student volunteer with the program. “There are already so little resources we have to use.”
The Trump administration in April rescinded and canceled National Endowment for the Humanities grants that largely fund museum and library projects. On May 5, the National Endowment for the Arts faced similar actions. Both moves are largely viewed as an attempt to dismantle a number of federal agencies, which has raised concerns about the future of arts and humanities funding.
ArtWorks, led by Yumi Shirai, is an outreach program housed in the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities at the University of Arizona,Department of Family & Community Medicine. The program pairs UA arts students with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to create art in “a safe space for expression, connection and growth” for all involved, according to the program’s website.
ArtWorks is a gallery and art studio for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. There are open slots for their members, currently totalling 22, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.
“They share their creative passion and also the other aspects of life,” said Shirai, the director of ArtWorks and an associate professor of family and community Mmedicine. “How their art is really making an impact on their life as well as making connections with external communities, it really is special.”
Each week, there is an undergraduate art class of 20 students that travels to the gallery to help ArtWorks members create an art show. Each show usually focuses on a different type of art.
”We have structured art-making activities so they can expose themselves to many different skill sets and build artistic skills,” said Shirai. “But then we also have themed projects that specifically aim for large shows or collaboration with undergraduate university students.”
Undergraduate students are paired with ArtWorks every semester to focus on art museum education, including theory and practice.
Carissa DiCindio, a professor in art and visual culture education, said that some years they are able to co-curate an exhibition in the community gallery at the UA Museum of Art on campus.
”We have studio majors and other disciplines who take this class,” said DiCindio. “In terms of art museum programming, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are often left out of the conversation.”
DiCindio added that these projects and creations with the members of ArtWorks give those adults a chance to have their voice heard, and let their creativity flow.
DiCindio said the students also gain from “the opportunity to work with these amazing artists.”
The collaboration creates a positive atmosphere that many people can’t seem to ignore when they’re in the building, White said.
”It really is the happiest place on Earth,” she said. “You always feel welcome and you never feel any sort of judgement when you’re here. It’s awesome.”
To donate materials or learn more about ArtWorks, visit their Facebook @ArtWorksUA.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.
