Oct. 22, 2007

An artist's life is often challenging. For those Michigan artists who are navigating their professional and personal paths with the added challenge of a disability, life can be quite more complex. At the "Career Forum for Artists with Disabilities" - part of the Oct. 24-26 Michigan Rehabilitation Conference at DeVos Place and Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids - Michigan artists can gain a whole new perspective about the day-to-day business of being a working artist.

Presented by VSA arts of Michigan, as a partner at the annual Michigan Rehabilitation Conference, the forum collaborators include the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, MARO Employment and Training Association, the Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council, the Michigan Council on Disability Concerns and ArtServe Michigan. The forum is funded in part by the National Arts and Disability Center, Social Security Administration, the National Endowment for the Arts, VSA arts, and an anonymous Grand Rapids donor.

"These partner organizations are extremely active in the disability community, and set policy that affects the livelihood of its members," said John Bracey, executive director of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. "We've come together to offer an intensive learning opportunity for Michigan artists in a very unique, supportive setting."

The career forum workshops and presentations include:

• An opening-night reception and open-microphone session for artists to perform and exhibit their work;
• Keynote presentation by Jaehn Clare, disability advocate, actor, director, producer and playwright;
• Sessions on Social Security and "the business of the arts," including the development of business and marketing plans, Web sites, taxes and basic accounting; and
• A banquet and reception showcasing the talents of the jazz pianist Bess Bonior and visual artist Shaqe Kalaj, both Michigan residents.

"There are many great stories, many inspiring people within the arts community. These are real people with real-world responsibilities and situations, and they are - through their passion for their work and their persistence - making it happen," said Lora Frankel, executive director of VSA arts of Michigan. "It's fitting that our forum takes place during both National Arts and Humanities Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month."

The full conference registration fee is $150. Scholarships up to $125, plus lodging and parking, are available (while they last) to Michigan artists with disabilities.  For more information, call VSA arts of Michigan at (313) 832-3303, e-mail info@vsami.org or visit www.vsami.org to see the full conference agenda and download the registration form.

For more details on the full Michigan Rehabilitation Conference, visit www.maro.org/mrc.html.

VSA arts of Michigan is a member of the international network of VSA arts, an affiliate of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. VSA arts promotes arts, education and creative expression involving children and adults with disabilities, thereby strengthening the human spirit and improving the quality of life for all.

The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs serves to encourage, develop and facilitate an enriched environment of artistic, creative, cultural activity in Michigan. It is an agency within the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries.  For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/arts.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) .