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WEBINAR THREE. Arts Expedition. Awareness Education Experience Advocacy. Funding support provided by the. A Guide to Career Development Opportunities for Visual and Performing Artists with Disabilities from. WEBINAR THREE. Gaining Experience and Education.
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WEBINAR THREE Arts Expedition Awareness Education Experience Advocacy
A Guide to Career Development Opportunities for Visual and Performing Artists with Disabilities from
WEBINAR THREE Gaining Experience and Education
The focus areas of this webinar are geared to gaining experience and education to build your resume and grow your vision as an artist. Again, you’ll hear from artists, beginning with a junior high student who has already built an incredibly impressive resume of exhibitions, commissions, public speaking, and membership in organizations of professional artists. Whatever your age, his story serves to inspire and offers a step-by-step outline of how to move forward in your pursuit of a career in the arts.
Jalyn Weston is a 13-year-old artist from Sweetwater, Tennessee who began drawing as a toddler at the same time he began to receive services for a developmental delay. His innate interest in drawing was used to advance the development of his language and social skills. At the age of four, Jalyn was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. At six, he began to exhibit his drawings and paintings. By age nine, he began to speak publicly to large groups about the positive impact of the visual arts on the lives of people with disabilities. As of 2014, his work has been exhibited in more than 70 group and solo exhibits.
Jalyn’s favorite subjects are dinosaurs and he plans to become a paleontologist or paleoartist someday. This vision supports him academically while giving purpose to his artistic development. Currently in the 7th grade, he has earned a number of awards for art as well as for his academic achievements over the past several years. He has received numerous commissions from education groups, veterans groups, autism groups, theatre groups, and individuals. He also has donated work to support civic groups, community groups, and disability groups.
When Jalyn attended the VSA International Festival at age seven, he began to understand the significance of his special ability and the power that ability had to increase his perceived value in the community. Since he was in the first grade, he has been a member of several local and regional professional arts organizations whose members recognize him as a professional artist and support and encourage his artistic development.
What were your early artistic influences? Jalyn: The Jurassic Park movies were a big influence because I liked to draw dinosaurs. That interest led me to learn more about dinosaurs and that knowledge helped me draw dinosaurs more accurately.
What inspires you? Jalyn: My art is primarily inspired by nature, but I also turn to science fiction movies for inspiration, especially eighties movies. Surprisingly, there is a lot of overlap between the natural world and science fiction!
What advice do you have for other artists pursuing career development opportunities? Jalyn: Follow what you love and go from there when you make art. Use what drives and interests you.
Pamela Weston, Jalyn’s grandmother, has played a leading role in his artistic pursuitsWhen she realized his talent - and saw the direct link between his artistic expression and the development of his language and social skills - Pamela Weston actively helped him to pursue learning, networking, and exhibition opportunities.
“Jalyn loves dinosaur and shark movies, both documentaries and those created for pure entertainment. That interest led him to learn everything about dinosaurs, from their evolutionary history to their relatives who still roam the planet today. That knowledge, and the confidence he’s gained through his art experiences, has helped him connect with researchers who serve as paleontology consultants for movies and special effects and prop designers, as well as classrooms of local elementary school grade students who just wanted to learn to draw dinosaurs,” said Pam emphasizing how Jalyn’s two areas of interest - dinosaurs and art - combined to create a foundation for a career in the arts.
“I would add that those interested in the arts should pursue every avenue of showing, publishing, and sharing their work,” Pam advises others pursuing careers in the arts. “Keep records of what pieces were shown where and when. Make images of works. Utilize social media for self-promotion. Connect with arts groups and artists to network, grow as a professional. Be inspired. Take the time and energy to invest in your vision. Be prepared to move forward - in small increments at some times and explosive surges at other times. Just keep working, learning, growing, connecting, and moving forward.”
Jalyn’s unfolding story as an artist begins this section of the webinar because it illustrates a number of specific, practical ways to gain experience and build your résumé as an artist.
As an artist, you are uniquely able to creatively “think out of the box.” What are ways that you can connect with people and organizations? How can you gain support for your goals at the same time you contribute to the quality of life in your community? Here’s some specific, practical advice that will hopefully inspire you to consider a multitude of possibilities for you.
Step 1 “Get your art out there,” as artist Estelle Condra advised in an earlier webinar. Exhibit. Perform. Be creative in exploring opportunities to gain experiences and keep a detailed list of what you do.
Step 2 Study. Take classes in your medium with individuals, organizations, and educational institutions. Enroll in such classes as art history or commercial art. Explore opportunities at local colleges, arts organizations, parks and recreation centers. Pursue a degree. Survey all of the educational resources available to you in your areas.
Step 3 Network. Join local and state arts groups, along with organizations advocating for people with disabilities. As an artist, you are uniquely able to “think out of the box.” What are ways that you can connect with people, gain support for your goals, and contribute to the quality of life in your community?
Step 4 Volunteer and donate. To help build your resume and gain experience, share your art with a senior citizen center, library, nursing home, schools, day care centers, churches, or other worthy organizations. Volunteer to teach a class or put on a performance. Donate works of visual art.
Step 5 Be open to commissions. As you develop contacts and connections, let it be known that you’d be happy to discuss the potential to create works of art that meet the particular needs of an individual or an organization.
Step 6 Blend your passions. Pursue your ability as an artist in connection with your special interests and areas of expertise - nature, history, cooking, sports, whatever they might be. The possibilities are endless.
Step 7 Be creative. Jalyn Weston took the initiative to connect with paleontologists who serve as consultants for movies, special effects, and property design. What opportunities might be a good match for your special areas of interest?
Step 8 Speak Up. Volunteer to address groups - civic clubs, church fellowships, disability advocacy organizations and more.
Step 9 Be prepared. In addition to recording the details of all of your credits, classes and memberships, create a resume and store digital images of your work and yourself. If you are applying for a job, preparing for a speaking engagement, looking forward to an opening, or getting some publicity with local media, you’ll have helpful resources at hand.
Step 10 Seek awards. Apply for awards at the local, state and national level. Work with others who might nominate you for special honors.
What else can you do to gain experience and build your resume?
Apply for Grants The website of the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC) is your first stop. If you have not yet investigated grant opportunities here, don’t delay. The TAC is committed to serving artists with disabilities. Read the guidelines and apply for funding for special projects, perhaps in conjunction with a local arts or educational organization. Don’t hesitate to contact William Coleman, CDE, Director of Arts Access at the TAC at 615-532-9797 or william.coleman@tn.gov.
Grants may also be available from many other sources on the local, state, and national level. Search the web for opportunities. Grant-writing in itself is an art form! Seek advice from professionals and learn more from internet resources. Most granting organizations are happy to talk with you to answer questions or review your idea for a proposal before you submit an application.
Volunteer, Intern and Apprentice You are a great match for a local arts organization or artist. Volunteer to help with special projects or ongoing needs. Explore the potential for an internship or apprenticeship. These three different possibilities could help you to gain experience, build your resume, and explore a variety of opportunities for yourself.
EDUCATION While individual training and studies with artists and arts educators are important, seriously pursue a degree. To guarantee your access to an education, colleges offer specialized services for people with disabilities. Explore the possibilities for yourself.
This webinar is designed to summarize opportunities and resources as you pursue career development opportunities. Respond to the survey at the end of all five webinars and you’ll receive a certificate of completion—one more thing to add to your resume! To close, you’ll hear from teachers and directors of organizations who provide creative opportunities for artists. Consider tapping into their programs or looking for similar prospects in your community which are suited to you.
Arts for AUTISM Anne Winsauer, founder and teacher www.artforautismtn.com 868-966-1022
Anne Winsauer is an artist and an educator who works with children and young adults with autism. She received her degree in Communication Design at the University of Tennessee, and went on to pursue a degree in Educational Technology at Johnson University.
After many years as a graphic designer, Anne blended her two areas of study and began teaching children and young adults to learn and express themselves through visual art and design in a variety of media. In 2008, she founded Art for Autism Tennessee and began developing a unique art curriculum for students on the autism spectrum, which focuses on developing an individual student’s strengths while building life skills.
After six years of working with groups of students as well as one-on-one, her work now includes tutoring in academic subjects, using art and visuals to communicate concepts. Her students’ individual interests and challenges are often depicted in their artwork. Stop-motion animated short films are a favorite of her students, and she recently conducted a workshop teaching the basic principles of architecture. A native Knoxvillian, Anne and her Chicago-born husband, John, enjoy living in the foothills of the Smokies where they benefit from their small vegetable garden.
What advice do you have for people pursuing a career in the arts? Anne: Pursue lots of different presentations of your art. Take valid work when it is offered to you, and learn from the experience. Try new things, growing in your art as you go. Trust yourself to be able to handle new opportunities.
Who and what were your early artistic influences? Anne: I was interested in art at a very young age. Really, Michelangelo was an early influence. Use of dark and light in Rembrandt’s paintings was fascinating to me as well. However, I was all about horses at that age, so I would draw horses that looked like a statue by Michelangelo, or high-contrast horses like Rembrandt might have drawn them.
What inspires you? Anne: Character inspires me, that is, strength, growth, change, and overcoming obstacles. Those kinds of life experiences have been and always will be motivational for me. Also, nature is inspirational. Artist/illustrator Jerry Pinkney’s fabulous depictions of natural settings and people are some of my favorite, inspiring images.
HAPI The Healing Arts Project, Inc.www.healingartsprojectinc.org
HAPI provides an avenue for persons in mental health and addiction recovery to express their creativity through a wide range of artistic endeavors to raise awareness in the community and combat stigma about these disorders, thus promoting understanding, acceptance and success. Jane Baxter talks about the organization which has programs in 14 locations in Middle Tennessee.
How can people tap into your program? Jane: HAPI partners with mental health and addiction peer support centers operated by Behavioral Health Agencies in Middle Tennessee for delivery of the art classes. Transportation is provided by the centers where art classes are held. Persons in recovery have low income and limited ability to get around on their own, especially in rural counties. We provide art classes in 14 locations in Middle Tennessee including Clarksville, Dickson, Murfreesboro, Columbia, McMinnville, Tullahoma, Shelbyville, and Nashville. Persons who want to be in the art program contact their behavioral health peer support center serving these areas. We will put a list of contact information on the website.
Indian Princess by Augie Collier The art classes provide a gathering of peers to enjoy working together in a social setting where everyone is important. They gain self-confidence by seeing they can create art that others think is beautiful and gives them pleasure to create.
What are some of the places where work by your artists has been on exhibit? Jane: We’ve had exhibits in Davidson County at Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Tennessee Art League, Metro Courthouse 4th Floor Gallery, Downtown Presbyterian Church, the Edgehill, Hermitage, Green Hills and Looby Libraries, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, and Legislative Plaza. We’ve also exhibited at the Spring Hill Library, the Linebaugh Library in Murfreesboro, the public library and Train Depot in Clarksville, the Franklin County Library in Winchester, the Artisan Depot in Cowan, and St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Fayetteville. Dusk in the Swiss Alps by Barbara Shirley
Why is it so important to HAPI, as an organization, and these artists, to be a part of public exhibits?
