Do you have what it takes? Can you deliver an exciting and dynamic VSA Program?
If you have experience, knowledge, and expertise working with students with disabilities pre-kindergarten through grade 12, or providing professional learning to their teachers, you could become a VSA Program site.
The Office of VSA and Accessibility seeks arts, education, and cultural organizations to provide accessible, arts-based education experiences to students with disabilities, transition opportunities to youth with disabilities, or professional development to educators of students with disabilities. Organizations are invited to submit proposals to implement VSA Programs.
Take a look at the Requests for Proposals for program specific details. See if your work aligns with VSA Program goals and if you have the capacity to execute a VSA Program in your community, schools, museums, or performing arts venues.
The deadline to submit proposals is
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, 11:59 PM EDT
1. VSA Arts Connect All – Professional Development Program
Implement professional development opportunities of 5 or more hours for educators teaching the arts to students with disabilities, ages 3 to 22, pre-kindergarten–grade 12. Serve 50 or more educators of students with disabilities. $3,000–$18,000.
2. VSA Arts Connect All – Workshop/Residency Program
Implement school or community arts education workshops and/or residencies of 5 or more instructional hours for students with disabilities, ages 3 to 22, pre-kindergarten–grade 12. Serve 75 or more students with disabilities. $3,000 to $18,000.
3. VSA Children’s Visual Art Discovery Program
Implement visual art education classes or workshops of 5 or more instructional hours for students with disabilities, ages 3 to 22, pre-kindergarten–grade 12. Use at least 2 activities from a VSA Teacher Resource Guide. Serve 75 or more students with disabilities. $3,000–$18,000.
4. VSA Playwright Discovery Program
Implement writing for performance classes or workshops of 5 or more hours for students with disabilities, in middle and high school, grades 6-12, ages 11-22. Strong preference given to proposals that explore the theme of the disability experience. Serve 50 or more students with disabilities. $3,000 to $13,000.
5. VSA TiLT Digital Storytelling Program
Implement digital storytelling classes or workshops of 5 or more hours for students with disabilities, middle and high school, grades 6-12, ages 11-22. Strong preference given to proposals that explore the theme of the disability experience. Serve 75 or more students with disabilities. $3,000 to $18,000.
6. VSA Museum Access for Kids Program
Implement accessible arts experiences with related educational programming for students with disabilities, ages 3 to 22, pre-kindergarten–grade 12. Serve 100 or more students with disabilities. $3,000 to $15,000.
7. VSA Performing Arts Access for Kids Program
Implement accessible performing arts experiences with related educational programming for students with disabilities, ages 3 to 22, pre-kindergarten–grade 12. Serve 100 or more students with disabilities. Must be a nonprofit performing arts venue to apply. $3,000 to $15,000.
8. Rosemary Kennedy Initiative
Implement transition opportunities for youth with disabilities, ages 15 to 22, in creative careers, arts, arts education, or arts management internships, or pre-professional training programs of 40 or more hours. Serve 5 or more students with disabilities. $3,000 to $15,000.
Serving a small number of students or teachers? EZ is the right size for you! No participant minimum requirement
9. VSA EZ Program
Implement an arts education event or workshop for students with disabilities, pre-kindergarten–grade 12, or an arts-based professional learning opportunity for educators of students with disabilities. $1,000 to $3,000.
How to Apply: Eligible and qualified organizations are required to submit program proposals online by the published deadline to be considered for a program site. Eligible organizations may submit proposals to a maximum of two different 2020-2021 VSA Program RFPs, but the Kennedy Center will issue a contract offer for no more than one proposal per eligible organization. Before applying, read RFPs thoroughly. NOTICE: These RFPs are not for grants. They are for contracts to execute the Kennedy Center’s VSA Programs listed above.
Proposal Submission Deadline: March 25, 2020 at 11:59 pm (Eastern Daylight Time)
Notification: Selected recipients will be notified by June 30, 2020
Program Implementation Period: October 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021
For questions and information, please contact Stephanie Litvak, sslitvak@kennedy-center.org
To request an accommodation or receive materials in an alternative format, contact Stephanie Litvak, sslitvak@kennedy-center.org, at least two weeks prior to the submission deadline.