Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Art Spark Texas: Sparking the Creative in Everyone

Oct 22, 2019 2:00 PM ET
Campaign: Connecting Business to Cause

Art Spark Texas (formerly VSA Texas) challenges perceptions of people with disabilities and ignites confidence, ideas and courage to make a difference. Founded in 1996 and based in Austin, Texas, our vision is to create a society where people with disabilities can participate in, learn through, and enjoy the arts. To this end, we work with artists, patrons and community members to create arts-inspired, inclusive communities of diverse individuals.

Recognized on a national level for high quality, groundbreaking programming, Art Spark Texas is specifically designed to annually serve individuals who often face physical, social and attitudinal barriers to participation in the arts. Our goals include: enhancing the personal growth of emerging artists with disabilities; offering access to the creative work of all people with diverse abilities; and supporting the public in their effort to be inclusive and welcoming to all individuals.

There are 20 million people with disabilities in the United States, and over 1.5 million of these people of working age live in Texas. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is nearly 70% nationwide and many of our artists live at or below the poverty line. By providing access to original arts experiences and economic opportunities, Art Spark Texas aims to build lifelong stability through our services and programs.

We touch an average of thirty thousand people with disabilities (of all ages) over a calendar year. These may be individuals who have just returned from the battlefield and are looking for ways to reconnect with their family and friends. These many be young adults who are facing an uncertain future of employment, who are able to find the skills and confidence to pursue their dreams. These may be older adults who are isolated and alone. The opportunity to create simple art projects in community with others brings them happiness and a feeling of belonging again. These people may be you, or someone that you love.

We rely on contributions from people like you to advance our mission. And, because of our workplace donors and their reliable monthly funding, we are able to plan our future projects with confidence. 

Here is just an example of what your donations can support:

  • $50 buys arts supplies for our inclusive arts classes with older adults.
  • $100 pays for an audio description receiver to assist visually-impaired patrons at theater productions and other events.
  • $250 pays for provides professional development training for a teacher in the Creative Learning Initiative.
  • $500 sponsors a young person to participate in a New Media Arts event.
  • $1000 supports a Veteran Writing Course.
  • $2500 supports a teaching artist residency in a special education classroom.
  • $5000 underwrites a public speaking training and speaker showcase.

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Support Art Spark Texas through your employee giving program:

As a donor, you can support Art Spark Texas by donating to them through your employer’s workplace giving program (CFC#4508 if you're a military or federal employee participating in the Combined Federal Campaign). Payroll pledges made through employer-sponsored charitable giving programs represent a cost effective and near effortless way to support your favorite charities.

As Art Spark Texas's workplace giving partner, America’s Charities can help your company design and implement a program centered on supporting their work - through workplace giving campaigns, employee fundraising, cause-focused signature programs, volunteerism, donation drives, matching gifts, Dollars-for-Doers, In-Kind Giving and other employee engagement and philanthropic initiatives. Click here to request a demo and learn how we can help you do this.