This week, the Minneapolis Arts Education Examiner will focus on Upstream Arts, an arts education organization based in Minneapolis that is serving the Twin Cities' special needs community. The mission of Upstream Arts is to enhance the lives of adults and youth with disabilities by fostering creative communication and social independence through the power of arts education. This three-part article will explore
- the positive impact this organization has in our community
- the ways in which Upstream Arts reaches out to its students and assists in their development
-
the experiences of two Twin Cities artists who teach through Upstream Arts
To say that Upstream Arts is "moving against the current", as their website suggests, might be an understatement, considering the statistics available about the current accessibility of the arts to those who live with physical or mental challenges.
According to the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, at least 10% of the world's population, or 650 million people, live with a disability. Statistics show that these numbers are increasing through population growth, medical advances, and the aging process. Persons with disabilities are the largest minority in the world, in the United States, and in the state of Minnesota. Julie Guidry, Executive Director of Upstream Arts, states that "12% of Minnesotans currently live with a disability", and that "access to the arts is dwindling for people with special needs and for students in special education". Guidry points out that in the current education system, statistics show that "out of every 1200 students, 60 seats are reserved for art classes, and only 1 of those seats is available for a student with special needs."
Enter Upstream Arts.
Upstream Arts was founded in 2006 by parents whose son, who is non verbal, was born with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, which affects physical and cognitive development. The child was exposed to theatre and dance at a young age, and he learned through the arts to use physical movements, body language, and facial expressions to communicate and engage with those around him. Thus was the inspiration that created Upstream Arts, the only local arts organization that deliberately impacts social and communication skills development for children and adults with disabilities.
To date, Upstream Arts has provided over 6,000 contact hours to over 1,400 individuals and has trained over 1000 teachers and industry professionals. Upstream Arts has developed a close relationship with the Minneapolis Public Schools Special Education Department, and carries out programs in schools and with prominent disability providers around the Twin Cities.
Upstream Arts is the recipient of a $35,000 Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. This grant will allow Upstream Arts to carry out residencies in Minneapolis Public Schools in the 2010-2011 school year.
For more information about Upstream Arts, visit www.upstreamarts.org.
Tomorrow, this article continues with a look at the principles and philosophies that guide Upstream Arts.
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