Arts Equity, formerly VSA Arts Rhode Island is a non-profit organization that connects people with disabilities with the arts through education, advocacy and programs. It was described by U.S. Representative David Cicilline|David Cicciline as "one of the leading advocates for individuals with disabilities."{{Cite web|url=https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/advocate-individuals-disabilities-join-cicilline-president-trump%E2%80%99s-joint-address|title=Advocate for Individuals with Disabilities to Join Cicilline for President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress {{!}} Congressman David Cicilline|website=cicilline.house.gov|access-date=2020-01-02}} Arts Equity was established as VSA Arts in Rhode Island was established in 1986 as part of the national program Very Special Arts and became a non-profit organization in 1988.{Cite web|url=http://www.pawtucketri.com/news/city-pawtucket-celebrates-twin-milestones-ada%E2%80%99s-25th-anniversary-and-vsa-arts-40th-anniversar-0|title=The City of Pawtucket Celebrates Twin Milestones: ADA’s 25th Anniversary and VSA Arts, 40th Anniversary {{!}} City Of Pawtucket|website=www.pawtucketri.com|access-date=2020-01-02}}
In 2020, the organization was renamed Arts Equity.{{Cite web|url=http://www.vsartsri.org/|title=ARTS EQUITY|last=|first=|date=|website=www.vsartsri.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102154639/http://www.vsartsri.org/|archive-date=2020-01-02|access-date=2020-01-02}}
The organization runs multiple programs, including Access The Arts, a program that funds arts-in-education in Rhode Island schools,{{Cite web|url=http://johnstonsunrise.net/stories/students-work-to-combat-bullying-through-roleplaying,14099|title=Students work to combat bullying through roleplaying|website=Johnston Sun Rise|language=en|access-date=2020-01-02}}
Chance to Dance, a collaboration with the Rhode Island Dance Alliance that holds dance classes for children at the Providence Performing Arts Center; and the Artist's Register, a directory of artists and arts organizations serving people with disabilities in Rhode Island. Arts Equity holds the annual Paul V. Sherlock Memorial Art Show, featuring the artwork of physically and mentally disabled people.{{Cite web|url=http://johnstonsunrise.net/stories/lt-governor-cites-power-of-art-at-opening-of-sherlock-memorial-show,40161|title=Lt. Governor cites 'power of art' at opening of Sherlock Memorial show|website=Johnston Sun Rise|language=en|access-date=2020-01-02}}
Jeannine L. Chartier, Executive and Artistic Director of Arts Equity, received the Pell Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Arts for her work at VSA Arts Rhode Island in 2018. {{cite-news|title=2018 Pell Award recipients|last=Gray|first=Channing|date=May 20, 2018|page=F1|work=Providence Journal}}
[2]{{cite-news|url=infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1573889259BE1680|title=Pawtucket to honor creative youths - Friday event at City Hall will mark passage of Americans with Disabilities Act, creation of VSA|last=Naylor|first=Donita|date=13 Aug. 2015|page=6|via=NewsBank|work=Providence Journal|access-date=4 July 2019}}
Bibliography
Kuppers, Petra. Community Performance: An Introduction. New York: Routledge, 2007 ISBN
9781134164059
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