The “Upstream” photography exhibit is back! If you missed it earlier this fall (or, like us, would love to see it again), please join us at the Bloomington Theatre and Art Center for a new showing of this beautiful series by Dirk Anschütz, sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. The exhibit is free of charge and will be open to the public from January 16-March 2. Gallery hours are M-F 8AM-10PM; Sat 9AM-5PM; and Sun 1-10PM.
Together with BTAC, we’re delighted to be offering several companion programs to the exhibition, including an interactive training and a panel discussion:
The training, titled “Art of Access Training: Making the Arts Accessible for Individuals of all Ages and Abilities,” is scheduled for February 4 at the Bloomington Theatre and Art Center from 5-7PM. This interactive training, led by Upstream Arts staff, is for artists, educators, parents, guardians, siblings, and arts organizations interested in exploring how to design arts events, exhibits, and educational programming for individuals of all ages and abilities. Participants will come away with best practices and tools that can be used to ensure arts accessibility for a wide range of users and audiences. Registration is required (see details below).
The panel discussion, titled “INTERSECTIONS: Disability and the Arts,” is scheduled for February 11 at the Bloomington Theatre and Art Center from 6:30-8PM. Panelists are still to be determined, but will include Julie Guidry, founder and Executive Director of Upstream Arts, and local professionals including an art therapist, art educator, and artist working with adults with disabilities. The discussion will focus on the role of local non-profit organizations in supporting, facilitating, and delivering programs and opportunities for artists with disabilities. This event is free and open to the public.
IMPORTANT DATES:
“Upstream” Exhibition
Artist: Dirk Anschütz in partnership with Upstream Arts
Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota
Atrium Gallery, Bloomington Theatre and Art Center (1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN)
January 16 – March 2, 2014
The “Upstream” exhibition offers straight-on, unsentimental portraits of young adults with disabilities by New York photographer, Dirk Anschütz, who partnered with Minneapolis-based Upstream Arts, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of adults and youth with disabilities through the power of arts education. In this body of work, Anschütz focuses on the complex human being beyond the disability. Through the exhibit and a number of related events including a panel discussion, BTAC and Upstream Arts hope to create opportunities for meaningful interaction between the disability community and the public at large.
Art of Access Training: Making the Arts Accessible for Individuals of all Ages and Abilities
Course #1925
Tuesday, February 4, 2014, 5-7PM
Bloomington Theatre and Art Center (1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN)
Open to educators, artists, parents, guardians, siblings, arts organizations
This winter, Upstream Arts is delighted to partner with Bloomington Theatre and Art Center to offer “The Art of Access.” Led by Upstream Arts, this interactive training is for artists, educators, parents, guardians, siblings, and arts organizations interested in exploring how to universally design arts events, exhibits, and educational programming for individuals of all ages and abilities. Participants will come away with best practices and tools that can be used to ensure arts accessibility for a wide range of users and audiences. Registration and $20 fee required. To register, please call 952-563-8575, stop by BTAC’s office between 10AM-5PM Monday-Friday, or visit btacmn.org.
INTERSECTIONS: Disability and the Arts Panel Discussion
Tuesday, February 11, 6:30-8PM
Bloomington Theatre and Art Center (1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN)
What is the broader community’s responsibility to persons with disabilities when it comes to the arts? Further, what is our role in supporting persons with disabilities as artists? Join us for a panel discussion as we explore using art as a tool of expression for our diverse community, art vs. art therapy, and inclusion vs. segregation. Panelists will represent a range of artists, abilities, and allies in the arts and disability fields. This event is free and open to the public.