About Art Spark Texas
Mission
Art Spark Texas challenges perceptions of how people contribute by creating an arts-inspired, inclusive community of individuals with and without disabilities.
Vision
Established in 1996, with the vision to foster equity across all cultural sectors of society, we believe that arts experiences enhance the skills, confidence and quality of life for all people, and our goal is to ensure that these experiences are fully accessible, welcoming, engaging and respectful. Everyone’s life is enriched by the inclusion of multiple voices. We accomplish this by ensuring that people with disabilities across all cultural and ethnic communities are represented in our programs and services.
Participation in vibrant, creative activities is important to all people. But people with disabilities report they are less likely to participate than their non-disabled peers because of physical and attitudinal barriers. All programs by Art Spark Texas address these barriers head on. Participants report that one of the greatest benefits is the opportunity for social and professional networking in a supportive environment. We also provide non-disabled individuals and caregivers a vehicle to ‘walk in someone else’s shoes’ for a little while to gain insight and empathy so important in today’s world.
Recognizing that every person has a voice that deserves to be heard, we offer programs that enable educational and career success, enhance personal growth, provide support and training to the public, and offer individuals of all ages access to the creative work of people with diverse abilities. We reach individuals who have difficulty leaving their homes, older adults who are isolated and alone, veterans and their family members, students with Autism and other developmental disabilities, theater-goers who are blind and many more individuals who may be underrepresented or overlooked.
By building a legacy of high quality, inclusive arts-based programming, we have served over 95,000 Texans with and without disabilities and have created positive change through accessible, culturally diverse, community-based opportunities, classes and workshops. Additionally, we are proud to produce and promote groundbreaking performance and artwork by individuals with disabilities in dance, theater, media, art and music.