Access/VSA International Network

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Access/VSA International Network

Our mission is to connect a vibrant network working towards full inclusion of people w/ disabilities.

The Kennedy Center's VSA programs offer multi-faceted, unparalleled opportunities for youth, with disabilities, who have aspirations in the performing and visual arts.

03/20/2026

For over 20 years we’ve honored and celebrated individuals and organizations whose contributions have made a lasting impact on our arts and accessibility community. This year’s LEAD Awards, presented by the Access/VSA team, continue that tradition!

Recipients are selected by a committee of your colleagues who have worked with all of us to sustain and strengthen the LEAD community. Nominate yourself or a colleague/friend in one of three categories by March 31, 2026:

- Awards for Emerging Leaders
- Community Asset Awards
- Awards for Excellence in Accessibility Leadership

Awardees will be honored at the LEAD Conference in Philadelphia August 11-14, 2026. Find out more or apply today at accesslead.org!

02/25/2026

Join us this Sunday for ReelAbilities Film Festival: Me to Play! “Me to Play” follows two professional actors as they confront the progression of Parkinson’s disease by taking on an extraordinary artistic challenge: staging an off-Broadway production of Samuel Beckett’s Endgame. Written by Beckett as a metaphor for living with illness, Endgame becomes both subject and refuge as the actors navigate physical change, creative risk, and the demands of performance. Through rehearsal and reflection, moments of struggle give way to humor, connection, and profound resilience. This screening invites audiences to consider the transformative power of art and how creativity can offer dignity, agency, and meaning even amid uncertainty.

Join us after the screening for a conversation with the Dance for Parkinson’s Disease cohort exploring creativity in a changing body and stay for a sample class.

Sunday, March 1 @ 3pm
The REACH, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC

FREE and open to the public. This screening is Open Captioned and Audio Described.

This event is part of the Center's Rosemary Kennedy Performing & Visual Arts Series and is a co-presentation with the ReelAbilities Film Festival of Greater Washington.

02/20/2026

Meet the artists behind the exhibit during the opening night of the Access/VSA
Emerging Young Artists 2026 Exhibition: "We Hold These Truths."

Join us Friday, March 13 from 4:00-5:30pm in the Hall of Nations (2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC). The full exhibit runs March 13-April 26 and is open to the public 10am-11pm daily.

No r.s.v.p. required. Please send access requests to access@kennedy-center.org or 202-416-8727 by Feb. 27. The content of this program was developed under grant H421F240164 from the U.S. Department of Education.

02/18/2026

Join us for ReelAbilities Film Festival: Me to Play! “Me to Play” follows two professional actors as they confront the progression of Parkinson’s disease by taking on an extraordinary artistic challenge: staging an off-Broadway production of Samuel Beckett’s Endgame. Written by Beckett as a metaphor for living with illness, Endgame becomes both subject and refuge as the actors navigate physical change, creative risk, and the demands of performance. Through rehearsal and reflection, moments of struggle give way to humor, connection, and profound resilience. This screening invites audiences to consider the transformative power of art and how creativity can offer dignity, agency, and meaning even amid uncertainty.

Join us after the screening for a conversation with the Dance for Parkinson’s Disease cohort exploring creativity in a changing body and stay for a sample class.

Sunday, March 1 @ 3pm
The REACH, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC

FREE and open to the public. This screening is Open Captioned and Audio Described.

This event is part of the Rosemary Kennedy Performing & Visual Arts Series and is a co-presentation with the ReelAbilities Film Festival of Greater Washington.

11/19/2025

📣 TWO DAYS LEFT! 📣 The deadline to submit a proposal for LEAD 2026 is Friday, November 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET.

The Leadership Exchange in Arts & Disability (LEAD) Conference is seeking proposals for sessions during the August 10-14, 2026 Conference in Philadelphia, PA. This is your opportunity to:

- provide practical, hands-on training in an access lab session;
- design a think tank on a topic you'd like to delve into with others in the field;
share knowledge, experience, and multiple perspectives through a panel presentation;
- give a quick snapshot of your work through a lightning talk; or
- take a deep dive into a specific topic in a 4–8-hour capacity building workshop!

Visit accesslead.org to learn more and to access resources for crafting a successful proposal!

11/12/2025

The LEAD Conference is seeking 12-15 individuals to help us review and score concurrent session proposals submitted for the 2026 Conference.

We typically receives 100-150 concurrent session proposals and each reviewer can expect to:

- Attend a meeting in advance of starting the review to become familiar with the platform and proposal form.
- Review and score approximately 15 proposals. Proposal reviews are expected to open early January 2025 and close early February 2025; reviews need to be started no later than January 20, 2025.
- Attend up to 2 virtual meetings for discussion after the reviews close.
- Receive an honorarium of $20 per proposal reviewed.

Learn more about this role and apply by Nov. 21, 2025 at accesslead.org!

11/08/2025

Have a great session idea for LEAD? We are seeking proposals for sessions during the LEAD Conference taking place August 10-14, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA. This is your opportunity to:

- provide practical, hands-on training in an access lab session;
- design a think tank on a topic you'd like to delve into with others in the field;
- share knowledge, experience, and multiple perspectives through a panel presentation;
- give a quick snapshot of your work through a lightning talk; or
- take a deep dive into a specific topic in a 4–8-hour capacity building workshop!

The deadline to submit a proposal is November 21, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.

Visit accesslead.org to learn more and to access resources for crafting a successful proposal!

11/06/2025

Time is almost up to apply! Join us in offering Access/VSA internships in creative careers, empowering individuals with disabilities in your community!

Organizations and companies are invited to submit proposals by Nov. 7, 2025, to implement the Access/VSA Creative Career Internship Program.

Learn more at accessvsa.org/ccip

11/04/2025

LEAD Lightning Talk with Betty Siegel: Accessible Restrooms in 10 Minutes or Less! Thurs., Nov.13, 2025, 2:00-2:30 p.m. ET

For more than 20 years, Betty Siegel, the Director of the Kennedy Center's Office of Accessibility and VSA, has been training organizations and individuals to provide accessibility to all areas of the cultural arts. There are likely hundreds (maybe thousands!) of restrooms around the world that are more accessible, thanks to her expertise. Make yours one of them!

Free for Access VSA International Network members: $15 for non-members. Register now at https://bit.ly/4nBZVQI

10/29/2025

Want to learn more about creating a session or workshop proposal for the LEAD Conference? Join us for an informational webinar on Wednesday, November 5 from 2-3 pm ET. We'll review the various components of the proposal form and share what matters to reviewers as we look to have a comprehensive and well-balanced conference. There will be time to answer questions, too!

ASL Interpretation and CART will be provided. A recording of this webinar will be posted on the 2026 LEAD website for those unable to attend.

Sign up now at accesslead.org!

10/28/2025

Join the Access/VSA Employer Community of Practice! Designed for cultural leaders like you, this FREE online community supports the development of equitable practices that strengthen the creative economy. As a member, you can:

- Exchange information and share resources regarding hiring, retention, and workplace accessibility within arts and culture organizations.

- Contribute to best practices that foster competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities in creative fields.

- Share success stories that demonstrate the value of employees with disabilities across the cultural sector.

- Explore apprenticeships, internships, and workforce development strategies that cultivate emerging talent in the creative economy.

- Connect with a national network of like-minded arts employers committed to fostering the diverse talents of employees with disabilities.

Learn more or join today for FREE at accessva.org/ecop

10/24/2025

Do you want to have an active role in shaping the 2026 LEAD Conference? Apply to be a LEAD 2026 Content Committee proposal reviewer!

Learn more about this role and apply by Nov. 21, 2025 at accesslead.org

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2700 F Street NW
Washington D.C., DC
20566

Telephone

+12024168898

Website

http://kennedy-center.org/vsa

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Our Story

VSA, the international organization on arts and disability, was founded more than 35 years ago by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to provide arts and education opportunities for people with disabilities and increase access to the arts for all. Each year, 7 million people of all ages and abilities participate in VSA programs, in every aspect of the arts – from visual arts, performing arts, to the literary arts.

Four principles guide VSA programs and affiliates:

Every young person with a disability deserves access to high quality arts learning experiences.

All artists in schools and art educators should be prepared to include students with disabilities in their instruction.