FESTIVAL PROGRAM ART IS EVERY BODY Kate Pew Wolters Disability Advocates of Kent County Grand Rapids Community Foundation CWD Real Estate Investment Venue Addresses and Hours DisArt Hub 50 Louis St. NW Tuesday–Saturday 12PM–8PM Sunday, 12PM–6PM Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA) 2 Fulton St. West Tuesday-Saturday, 12PM-9PM Sunday, 12PM–6PM Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) 101 Monroe Center St. NW Tuesday-Wednesday, 10AM–5PM Thursday, 10AM–9PM Friday-Saturday, 10AM–5PM Sunday, 12PM–5 PM The Fed Galleries @ KCAD Woodbridge N. Ferris Building (KCAD) 17 Pearl St. NW. DisArt Festival Hours Monday-Friday, 11AM–8AM Saturday-Sunday, 11AM–6PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery 250 Monroe, Calder Building, second-floor Tuesday–Thursday 5PM–8PM Friday–Saturday 12PM–8PM Sunday, 12PM–6PM Calvin College (106) Gallery and Studio 106 S. Division Wednesday, 12PM-9PM Thursday-Saturday, 12PM-8PM Richard App Gallery 910 Cherry St. SE Special Hours, April 12, 12PM–6PM Tuesday-Friday, 11AM–7PM Saturday, 11AM–5PM Map SPONSORS Schedule of Events FRIDAY, APRIL 10 DisArt Festival 2015 would not be possible without the financial support of the following Visionary Sponsors DISART FESTIVAL KICKOFF AND CURATOR TALKS Chris Smit (DisArt) & Ruth Gould (DaDaFest) welcome, followed by Amanda Cachia and Aaron Williamson, Art of the Lived Experiment Curator Talk 6PM-6:45PM GRAM KATE PEW WOLTERS ART OF THE LIVED EXPERIMENT OPENING RECEPTION UICA, GRAM, KCAD (see hours p. 2) DISART LOCAL OPENING: 250 MONROE STREET GALLERY 6PM–9PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery DisArt Festival 2015 would also like to offer it’s gratitude to the following organizations for being Thought Leader Sponsors LOCAL ARTIST EXHIBITION AND DISART HUB OPENING (Robert Coombs New Works Opening) 6PM–9PM DisArt Hub ACCESS IS A CIVIL RIGHT: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TOM OLIN OPENING 6PM–9PM (106) Gallery and Studio THE OLIMPIAS COLLECTIVE SALAMANDER PROJECT Films and Photographs 6PM–9PM (106) Gallery and Studio Lower Level YEAR OF ARTS + ACCESS: ART.DOWNTOWN. BLOCK PARTY 6PM KCAD BRIAN CATLING AND WENDY JACOB PERFORMANCES Art of the Lived Experiment Artists 7:00PM–8:30PM KCAD BOOK RECEPTION FOR PETRA KUPPERS Studying Disability Arts and Culture (Palgrave 2014) 7:30PM–9PM 106 Gallery and Studio Lower Level PETRA KUPPERS BOOK RECEPTION/SCREENING OF THE OLIMPIAS PROJECT’S SALAMANDER SERIES Calvin College 106 Gallery and Studio LAURA SWANSON ARTIST TALK, PERFORMANCE BY ARTIST RAPHAËLLE DE GROOT Art of the Lived Experiment Artists 8:30PM–10PM UICA Schedule of Events SATURDAY, APRIL 11 TUESDAY, APRIL 14 GALLERY TALK Tom Olin (photographer) and Elizabeth VanArragon (curator) 10AM–11AM (106) Gallery and Studio SIMON RAVEN PERFORMANCE Art of the Lived Experiment 2:30PM UICA ART OF THE LIVED EXPERIMENT EXHIBITION UICA, GRAM, KCAD (see hours p. 2) YEAR OF ARTS+ACCESS: EXHIBITORS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub RAPHAËLLE DE GROOT ARTIST PERFORMANCE Art of the Lived Experiment 3PM UICA DISART LOCAL: EXHIBITION 5PM–8PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery PHOTOGRAPHY DISCUSSION Discussion with local photographers Robert Andy Coombs, Christine Gribble, and Bri Luginbill about identity and empowerment through images. 7PM DisArt Hub BRIAN CATLING ARTIST PERFORMANCE Art of the Lived Experiment 12PM KCAD AARON WILLIAMSON ARTIST PERFORMANCE Art of the Lived Experiment 1PM KCAD ART OF THE LIVED EXPERIMENT: FAMILY DAY Art of the Lived Experiment 1PM–4PM UICA ART OF THE LIVED EXPERIMENT EXHIBITION UICA, GRAM, KCAD (see hours p. 2) DISART LOCAL: EXHIBITION 12PM–8PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery YEAR OF ARTS + ACCESS: KICKOFF EXPO 1PM–5PM DisArt Hub KATE MAHONY PERFORMANCE DISART HUB ROBERT COOMBS Art of the Lived Experiment NEW WORKS 2PM UICA 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub SUNDAY, APRIL 12 ACCESS IS A CIVIL RIGHT: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TOM OLIN 12PM–8PM (106) Gallery and Studio RAPHAËLLE DE GROOT ARTIST PERFORMANCE Art of the Lived Experiment 2PM UICA RIVA LEHRER ARTIST TALK 7PM DisArt Hub ART OF THE LIVED EXPERIMENT EXHIBITION UICA, GRAM, KCAD (see hours p. 2) DISART LOCAL: EXHIBITION 12PM–6PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery ROBERT COOMBS NEW WORKS 12PM–6PM DisArt Hub YEAR OF ARTS + ACCESS: EXHIBITORS 12PM–6PM DisArt Hub MONDAY, APRIL 13 All exhibits/venues are closed ROBERT COOMBS NEW WORKS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 ART OF THE LIVED EXPERIMENT EXHIBITION UICA, GRAM, KCAD (see hours p. 2) YEAR OF ARTS+ACCESS: EXHIBITORS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub DISART LOCAL: EXHIBITION 5PM–8PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery ACCESS IS A CIVIL RIGHT: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TOM OLIN 12PM–9PM (106) Gallery and Studio ROBERT COOMBS NEW WORKS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub THURSDAY, APRIL 16 ART OF THE LIVED EXPERIMENT EXHIBITION UICA, GRAM, KCAD (see hours p. 2) ACCESS IS A CIVIL RIGHT: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TOM OLIN 12PM–8PM (106) Gallery and Studio DISART LOCAL: EXHIBITION 5PM–8PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery ADAPTIVE DESIGN PRESENTATION Moderator Elizabeth VanArragon, Calvin College; Presentations: Calvin College and KCAD students 7PM | DisArt Hub ROBERT COOMBS NEW WORKS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub YEAR OF ARTS + ACCESS: EXHIBITORS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub Schedule of Events SUNDAY, APRIL 19 FRIDAY, APRIL 17 DISART FASHION WORKSHOP/ DISCUSSION 9AM–10:30AM KCAD DISART FASHION SHOW & AFTER PARTY/RECEPTION 7PM–9PM KCAD ART OF THE LIVED EXPERIMENT EXHIBITION UICA, GRAM, KCAD (see hours p. 2) ROBERT COOMBS NEW WORKS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub YEAR OF ARTS+ACCESS: EXHIBITORS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub ACCESS IS A CIVIL RIGHT: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TOM OLIN 12PM–8PM (106) Gallery and Studio DISART LOCAL: EXHIBITION 12PM–8PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery SATURDAY, APRIL 18 PANEL DISCUSSION: ART AND ACTIVISM Moderator Elizabeth VanArragon, Calvin College; Participants: George Bayard, Bayard Fine Art Consulting; Brett Colley, GVSU; Leroy Moore, Krip Hop Nation; Carrie Sandahl, U of I Chicago; Sandie Yi, Chicago 3:30PM DisArt Hub ART OF THE LIVED EXPERIMENT EXHIBITION UICA, GRAM, KCAD (see hours p. 2) DISART LOCAL: EXHIBITION 5PM–8PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery ROBERT COOMBS NEW WORKS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub ACCESS IS A CIVIL RIGHT: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TOM OLIN 12PM–8PM (106) Gallery and Studio YEAR OF ARTS+ACCESS: EXHIBITORS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub FAMILY ACTIVITY DAY AT THE UICA Art of the Lived Experiment 1PM–4PM UICA SLAM POETRY AND COMEDY PERFORMANCE Liz Carr and Leroy Moore 7PM | DisArt Hub DISART FAMILY FEST 3PM–5PM, Open House, Directed by Arts in Motion Studio 5:30PM Free Showing of Shrek Celebration Cinema North 2121 Celebration Dr NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 ART OF THE LIVED EXPERIMENT EXHIBITION UICA, GRAM, KCAD (see hours p. 2) DISART INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL KICKOFF RECEPTION AND SCREENING Special Guest: American Horror Story’s Mat Fraser 6PM–9PM UICA ROBERT COOMBS NEW WORKS 12PM–6 DisArt Hub DISART LOCAL: EXHIBITION 12PM–6PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery YEAR OF ARTS+ACCESS: EXHIBITORS 12PM–6PM DisArt Hub MONDAY, APRIL 20 DISART INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL Evening Topic: Disability in Motion Special Guest: Filmmakers Simi Linton & Christian Von Tippelskirch 6PM–9PM UICA All exhibits/venues are closed TUESDAY, APRIL 21 DISART INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL Evening Topic: Desiring Disability 6PM–9PM UICA ART OF THE LIVED EXPERIMENT EXHIBITION UICA, GRAM, KCAD (see hours p. 2) DISART LOCAL: EXHIBITION 5PM–8PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery ROBERT COOMBS NEW WORKS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub YEAR OF ARTS+ACCESS: EXHIBITORS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub ARTIST’S TALK, ROBERT ANDY COOMBS 7PM–8PM DisArt Hub Schedule of Events WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 FRIDAY, APRIL 24 DISART INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL FINALE Evening Topic: The Rise of Global Independent Disability Cinema Special Guest: Director of DisArt Festival, Christopher R. Smit, PhD 6PM–9PM UICA ADA LEGACY TOUR BUS WITH CIVIL RIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHER TOM OLIN 10AM–4PM DisArt Hub ART OF THE LIVED EXPERIMENT EXHIBITION UICA, GRAM, KCAD (see hours p. 2) ROBERT COOMBS NEW WORKS 12PM– 8PM DisArt Hub YEAR OF ARTS+ACCESS: EXHIBITORS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub ACCESS IS A CIVIL RIGHT: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TOM OLIN 12PM–9PM (106) Gallery and Studio DISART LOCAL: EXHIBITION 5PM–8PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery ART OF THE LIVED EXPERIMENT EXHIBITION UICA, GRAM, KCAD (see hours p. 2) DISART LOCAL: EXHIBITION 5PM–8PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery YEAR OF ARTS+ACCESS: EXHIBITORS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub ACCESS IS A CIVIL RIGHT: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TOM OLIN 12PM –9PM (106) Gallery and Studio CREATING INCLUSIVE FESTIVALS DISCUSSION local festival directors and planners 12PM | DisArt Hub ROBERT COOMBS NEW WORKS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub SATURDAY, APRIL 25 THURSDAY, APRIL 23 ART OF THE LIVED EXPERIMENT EXHIBITION UICA, GRAM, KCAD (see hours p. 2) ACCESS IS A CIVIL RIGHT: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TOM OLIN 12PM–9PM (106) Gallery and Studio DISART LOCAL: EXHIBITION 12PM–8PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery PANEL DISCUSSION, DISART LOCAL ARTISTS Moderator: Elizabeth VanArragon; Participants Marylu Dykstra, Reyna Garcia and others 7PM–8:30PM DisArt Hub ROBERT COOMBS NEW WORKS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub YEAR OF ARTS+ACCESS: EXHIBITORS 12PM–8PM DisArt Hub ADA LEGACY TOUR BUS WITH CIVIL RIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHER TOM OLIN 12PM–5PM DisArt Hub DISART PERFORMANCE DIS-STORIES Directed by Arts in Motion Studio 7PM–8:30PM Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 DISART FESTIVAL CLOSING RECEPTION 8:30PM-10PM Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 ART OF THE LIVED EXPERIMENT EXHIBITION UICA, GRAM, KCAD (see hours p. 2) DISART LOCAL: EXHIBITION 12PM–5PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery ROBERT COOMBS NEW WORKS 12PM–5PM DisArt Hub ACCESS IS A CIVIL RIGHT: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TOM OLIN 12PM–8PM (106) Gallery and Studio YEAR OF ARTS+ACCESS: EXHIBITORS 12PM–5PM DisArt Hub CONVERSATION WITH PHOTOGRAPHER TOM OLIN On the Road Again: The ADA Legacy Tour 10AM–11AM DisArt Hub FAMILY ACTIVITY DAY AT THE UICA Art of the Lived Experiment 1PM–4PM UICA PROGRESSIVE OPENING OF ALE OPENING OF DISART LOCAL April 10 6PM-10PM UICA, GRAM, KCAD April 10 6PM–9PM 250 Monroe Street Gallery Art of the Lived Experiment is the centerpiece of the DisArt Festival. This exhibition was recently seen at DaDa Fest in Liverpool, England, and will be making its U.S. premiere in Grand Rapids. Art of the Lived Experiment will feature the work of more than 19 internationally renowned disability artists, including sculptor Tony Heaton and performance artist Simon Raven. In addition to these works, seven additional North American pieces have been commissioned for the U.S., including those by mixed-media artist Jeremy Burleson and performance artist Raphaelle de Groot. Robert Andy Coombs Marylu Dykstra Tony Heaton, Gold Lamé Reyna Garcia All DisArt Festival events are accessible, free, and open to the public. If you have any access needs for these events please contact hospitality@ DisArtfestival.org All DisArt Festival events are accessible, free, and open to the public. If you have any access needs for these events please contact hospitality@ DisArtfestival.org OPENING OF ACCESS IS A CIVIL RIGHT: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TOM OLIN OPENING OF THE DISART HUB April 10 6PM–9PM DisArt Hub 50 Louis St. NW April 10 6PM–9PM Calvin College 106 S. Division Gallery Meet the photographer! DisArt Hub Tom Olin All DisArt Festival events are accessible, free, and open to the public. If you have any access needs for these events please contact hospitality@ DisArtfestival.org All DisArt Festival events are accessible, free, and open to the public. If you have any access needs for these events please contact hospitality@ DisArtfestival.org PETRA KUPPERS BOOK RECEPTION/ SCREENING OF THE OLIMPIAS PROJECT'S SALAMANDER SERIES THE RISK PICTURES: RIVA LEHRER ARTIST TALK April 12 7PM DisArt Hub BOOK RECEPTION FOR PETRA KUPPERS Studying Disability Arts and Culture (Palgrave 2014) April 10 7:30PM–9PM (106) Gallery and Studio Lower Level THE OLIMPIAS COLLECTIVE SALAMANDER PROJECT Films and Photographs April 10 6PM–9PM (106) Gallery and Studio Lower Level Petra Kuppers All DisArt Festival events are accessible, free, and open to the public. If you have any access needs for these events please contact hospitality@ DisArtfestival.org Riva Lehrer All DisArt Festival events are accessible, free, and open to the public. If you have any access needs for these events please contact hospitality@ DisArtfestival.org FASHION WORKSHOP AND RUNWAY SHOW WITH OPEN STYLE LAB DISART FASHION WORKSHOP/DISCUSSION April 17 9:30AM–11AM KCAD DISART FASHION SHOW & AFTER PARTY/RECEPTION April 17 7PM–9PM KCAD Nicole Jimenez FAMILY DAYS EVERY SATURDAY AT THE UICA Using colorful paper, straws, and pipe cleaners, families will work together to create their own hanging sculpture inspired by the work of Jeremy Burleson. Each family member will have an important role to play in this hands-on activity, so invite your friends and join UICA in celebrating collaboration during the DisArt Festival. Grace Teo Jeremy Burleson, Lamps All DisArt Festival events are accessible, free, and open to the public. If you have any access needs for these events please contact hospitality@ DisArtfestival.org All DisArt Festival events are accessible, free, and open to the public. If you have any access needs for these events please contact hospitality@ DisArtfestival.org DISART FAMILY FEST April 19 3PM Celebration Cinema North Fun for the whole family - big and little kids alike! Join us for this family-friendly event that is sure to put a smile on your face. Interactive art-making workshops, dance, music, storytelling, free group-screening of the film Shrek, and more! Everyone is welcome! DISART INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL Curated by Dr. David Mitchell and Dr. Sharon L. Snyder APRIL 19 – 22 | 6PM | UICA | FREE Join us for the most extensive collection of Disability Independent Cinema ever collected! Several filmmakers will be on hand for discussions with audiences. APRIL 19 OPENING RECEPTION Special guest Mat Fraser of American Horror Story APRIL 20 DISABILITY IN MOTION Simi Linton APRIL 22 SCREENING DISABILITY Closing Lecture by David Mitchell and Sharon Snyder Mat Fraser Sharon Snyder All DisArt Festival events are accessible, free, and open to the public. If you have any access needs for these events please contact hospitality@ DisArtfestival.org David Mitchell Simi Linton All DisArt Festival events are accessible, free, and open to the public. If you have any access needs for these events please contact hospitality@ DisArtfestival.org DISART CLOSING PERFORMANCE: DIS-STORIES Directed by Arts in Motion April 25 7PM-8:30PM Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 Music, Art, Theatre, Dance, Song, and more. This is not just our stories, it’s our DisStories. DISART TALKS AND PRESENTATIONS APRIL 10 APRIL 18 DISART FESTIVAL KICKOFF Christopher Smit (Director of DisArt), Ruth Gould (Director of DaDaFest), and "Art of the Lived Experiment" Curators Amanda Cachia and Aaron Williamson 6PM | GRAM ARTS AND ACTIVISM PANEL DISCUSSION Moderator Elizabeth VanArragon, Calvin College; Participants: George Bayard, Bayard Fine Art Consulting; Brett Colley, GVSU; Leroy Moore, Krip Hop Nation; Carrie Sandahl, U of I Chicago; Sandie Yi, Chicago 3:30PM | DisArt Hub BOOK RECEPTION FOR STUDYING DISABILITY PARTS AND CULTURE Author Petra Kuppers 7:30PM | Calvin College 106 S. Division Gallery ARTIST TALK | Laura Swanson 8:30PM | UICA APRIL 11 ARTIST TALK | Tom Olin 10AM | Calvin College, 106 South Division Gallery APRIL 12 ARTIST TALK | Riva Lehrer 7PM | DisArt Hub APRIL 16 ADAPTIVE DESIGN PRESENTATION Moderator Elizabeth VanArragon, Calvin College; Presentations: Calvin College and KCAD students 7PM | DisArt Hub SLAM POETRY AND COMEDY PERFORMANCE Liz Carr and Leroy Moore 7PM | DisArt Hub APRIL 23 DISART LOCAL ARTISTS PANEL DISCUSSION Moderator: Elizabeth VanArragon; Participants Marylu Dykstra, Reyna Garcia, Robert Andy Coombs and others 7PM | DisArt Hub APRIL 24 CREATING INCLUSIVE FESTIVALS DISCUSSION Local festival directors and festival planners 12PM | DisArt Hub APRIL 17 DISART FASHION WORKSHOP/ DISCUSSION 9AM | KCAD All DisArt Festival events are accessible, free, and open to the public. If you have any access needs for these events please contact hospitality@ DisArtfestival.org All DisArt Festival events are accessible, free, and open to the public. If you have any access needs for these events please contact hospitality@ DisArtfestival.org THE ADA LEGACY BUS IN GRAND RAPIDS! April 24 10 AM-4 PM parked outside the DisArt Hub The ADA Legacy Tour is rolling across the country raising awareness and building excitement toward ADA25 - the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 2015! The Tour: See the “Road to Freedom” ADA Bus that has traveled to 48 states in 2007 to raise support for the ADA Amendments Act Learn about the ADA Legacy Project and its effort to preserve of disability history; celebrate disability history milestones; and educate future generations of disability advocates; Post your thoughts and illustrate the difference the ADA has made in your life in the “Because of the ADA . . .” booth. Make your mark on the ADA quilt by adding your signature to thousands of others who have participated in the Tour; Check out displays on the history of the Road to Freedom Tour; Collect handouts on The ADA Legacy Project and the ADA UICA ACCESS APP PRESENTED BY UNIVERSAL MIND The ‘UICA Access’ app gives everyone insight into the artists and artwork featured in the exhibition galleries. Your experience, from a curated tour to artists’ biographies or statements, can be customized based on your abilities and needs. Let the iBeacons in the building guide you through the exhibition as you choose the content delivery mode that works best for you – vision, sound, or easy-touch navigation. The UICA Access app for iPads and iPhones is loaded with exclusive content to give you a deeper understanding of the artwork on display, including videos of artist performances. You can use the app to plan your visit, share your favorites with friends, and access the art at the Art of the Lived Experiment exhibition any time. Download the free ‘UICA Access’ app for iPhones or iPads starting 4/6/15 in the iTunes App store. Contributors and Partners THE YEAR OF ARTS AND ACCESS The 2015 DisArt Year of Arts + Access is an initiative endorsed by Mayor Heartwell as a way to encourage Grand Rapids to be a welcoming city to all people. During the festival, the DisArt Arts + Access Exhibits will be a series of events that offer exhibiting organizations exposure in a downtown venue, with promotions by both DisArt and the organization. Our goal is to connect with exhibitors who already understand the human condition of disability and are committed to building healthy relationships between people with and without disabilities. For more information about how this exciting work will develop both during and after DisArt Festival please visit disartfestival.org/community-exhibitors/ VISIONARY SPONSORSHIP: Ferris State University Kate Pew Wolters National Endowment for the Arts Wege Foundation THOUGHT LEADERS: CWD Real Estate Investment Disability Advocates of Kent County Grand Rapids Community Foundation INNOVATORS: Arts in Motion Studio Custer, Inc. Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs Reagan Marketing + Design ROCKSTARS: Community Media Center Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan El Vocero Out Front Media The Richard App Gallery The Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation Wiser Contract Furnishings Director Statement Welcome to Grand Rapids, Michigan, a city on the verge of change. By hosting DisArt Festival 2015, this city says that it is ready to reformulate its vision of community by including all of its citizens equally. April 1025, 2015 will usher this city into a new moment of equity for Disabled people. And we are delighted that you are here to be part of this event. Art can do wonderful things… This DisArt Festival program is the culmination of many hours of hard work by volunteers, designers, philanthropists, universities, advocates, and artists. This all started with a simple premise: current imaginations about disability are limited to fear, mystery, and pity, none of which offer Disabled people dignity, power, or authentic identity. So how do you change the imagination? DisArt believes that art and action are the best ways to chip away at well-worn stereotypes. And so the work began to take shape, and has blossomed into the largest Disability Arts Festival ever to be produced in the United States. DisArt Festival forwards the idea that art changes our minds by realigning our assumptions about life. More importantly, Disability Arts provide opportunities to see physical and mental differences in new ways. Even more radically, we believe that Disability Arts can alter the realities of a culture by connecting people to one another in authentic ways. We believe that the creative act can stimulate important, necessary civic conversation, and influence cultural change. This Festival exemplifies the confidence we have in both the power of art to challenge preconceived notions about the human condition of disability, and in a culture’s readiness to remove barriers that have historically limited civic engagement by Disabled individuals. Thank you again for being part of this festival, and for engaging in the conversation. Art is everybody, and that includes you. Christopher R. Smit, PhD Director of DisArt Festival Festival Developer Statement When I was invited to be part of this project over a year ago, I knew I had been given a gift that was to be cherished. What started as a grand vision by a select few has taken shape into something that I know will make a difference both for the individual living in Grand Rapids and for our entire community. DisArt doesn’t just accept disability; it celebrates it! The DisArt Festival, created by people with and without disabilities, marks the beginning of a cultural movement that has the power to radically change perceptions about disability so that all of us will become more accepting of the differences both within ourselves and those around us. I have met so many incredible people along the way who I want you to meet too. It is because of the relationships I have with these individuals that I know that the DisArt festival has the power to change us, one work of art, one person, at a time. Meet the artist who told me when I first met her that she feels as insignificant as “a grain of sand on a beach” but who is anything but. Meet the photographer whose identity is strengthened with each photo he takes. Meet the painter who is standing proud and sharing her story to a culture and a community that has historically chosen to look the other way. Meet all the volunteers who are willing to be part of DisArt and to help it take shape, who have been willing to ride the journey with us especially when the path has been uncertain. Meet the scholar who does not want to be thought of as inspiring but who inspires us every day with his ideas, his vision, and his compassion. Meet the advocate who believes in the importance of all people being included in the fabric of our community. Meet the mayor whose vision of the festival having a citywide impact has kept us focused on the bigger picture. Meet the presidents, past and present, of a local college and university who believed that this initiative was worth taking a gamble on. Meet the kid who, when she sees “imperfect” donuts being thrown away at a local donut shop, turns to her parents and says that we shouldn’t throw anything away just because it isn’t perfect. Join this group of people by coming as you are, by being open to making mistakes and having awkward moments, to laughing and sharing, to listening and learning. We want you to be part of the growing community of Disabled individuals and their allies who live creative lives everyday. Art is Everybody | DisArt Festival 2015. Jill Vyn Festival Developer DisArt Festival 2015 Mensaje del director del festival Bienvenidos a Grand Rapids, Michigan, una ciudad que se acerca a una verdadera transformación. Como sede del Festival DisArt 2015, esta ciudad proclama que está lista para reformular su visión de la comunidad e incluir de forma equitativa a todos sus ciudadanos. Del 10 al 25 de abril del 2015, la ciudad se aproximará a un nuevo período de igualdad para las personas con discapacidad. Y nos complace que estés aquí para ser parte de este acontecimiento. Sin duda, el arte puede hacer cosas maravillosas. El programa del Festival DisArt es la culminación de muchas horas de trabajo duro de voluntarios, diseñadores, filántropos, universidades, activistas y artistas. Todo esto comenzó con una premisa simple: las formas actuales de imaginar la discapacidad están limitadas por el miedo, el misterio y la lástima, y nada de ello ofrece a las personas discapacitadas dignidad, poder o una identidad genuina. ¿Cómo podemos cambiar esas percepciones? DisArt cree que el arte y la acción son las mejores maneras de eliminar paulatinamente estereotipos anticuados. Nuestro trabajó comenzó a tomar forma y creció hasta convertirse en el mayor festival artístico para personas con discapacidad que se haya producido en los Estados Unidos. El Festival DisArt difunde la idea de que el arte puede cambiar nuestra mentalidad al reajustar los supuestos en que se basa nuestra concepción de la vida. Algo más importante es que la exhibición de creaciones artísticas realizadas por discapacitados brinda oportunidades para percibir las diferencias físicas y mentales en formas novedosas. Y algo aun más radical es nuestra creencia en que la presentación de creaciones artísticas hechas por discapacitados puede modificar las realidades de nuestra cultura al vincular a la gente entre sí de modo genuino. Creemos que el acto creativo puede estimular una conversación cívica importante y necesaria, e incluso influir en los cambios culturales. Este festival es una prueba de la confianza que tenemos tanto en el poder del arte para desafiar las nociones preconcebidas acerca de la condición humana de la discapacidad como en la plena disposición de nuestra cultura para remover las barreras que históricamente han limitado la participación cívica de los discapacitados. Gracias nuevamente por ser parte de este festival y por participar en la conversación. El arte somos todos, y eso te incluye a ti. Dr. Christopher R. Smit Director del Festival DisArt Mensaje de la gestora integral del festival Cuando recibí la invitación de participar en este proyecto hace más de un año, supe que había recibido un regalo que valoraría por siempre. Lo que comenzó como una gran visión de unas cuantas personas se ha convertido en algo que sé que marcará la diferencia tanto para cada persona que viva en Grand Rapids como para nuestra comunidad en conjunto. DisArt no sólo acepta la discapacidad: la celebra. El Festival DisArt, creado por gente con y sin discapacidades, marca el comienzo de un movimiento cultural que tiene la posibilidad de cambiar radicalmente las percepciones sobre la discapacidad, para que todos aprendamos a aceptar mejor las diferencias que existen en nuestro interior y en los que nos rodean. He conocido a mucha gente increíble en este tiempo, y deseo que tú también las conozcas. Y es debido a la relación cercana que tengo con estas personas que sé que el Festival DisArt tiene el poder de cambiarnos, una persona a la vez, una obra de arte a la vez. Quiero que conozcas a la artista que me dijo cuando la conocí que se sentía tan insignificante como “un grano de arena en una playa”, pero que es todo menos insignificante. Al fotógrafo cuya identidad se fortalece con cada fotografía que toma. A la pintora que se yergue con orgullo y cuenta su historia a una cultura y una comunidad que históricamente han desviado la mirada. A los voluntarios que son parte de DisArt y que ayudan a su realización, y que nos han acompañado en esta larga travesía aun cuando las condiciones han sido difíciles. Al académico que no quiere ser visto como una inspiración, pero que nos inspira todos los días con sus ideas, su visión y su compasión. Al activista que cree en la importancia de que todas las personas sean incluidas en el tejido social de nuestra comunidad. Al alcalde cuya visión del impacto del festival en todo el territorio de la ciudad nos ha mantenido centrados en un panorama más amplio. A los rectores, anteriores y actuales, de universidades locales que creyeron que valía la pena apostar por esta iniciativa. A la niña que, cuando veía que las donas “imperfectas” se tiraban a la basura en una pastelería local, le decía a sus padres que no debíamos tirar nada sólo porque no es perfecto. Únete a este grupo de personas y sé tú mismo, sin el miedo a cometer errores o pasar momentos incómodos; sólo se requiere tu disposición para reír y compartir, para escuchar y aprender. Queremos que seas parte de la creciente comunidad de personas con discapacidad y sus aliados que viven vidas creativas todos los días. El arte somos todos | Festival DisArt 2015. Jill Vyn Gestora integral del festival Festival DisArt 2015 NOTES NOTES