Art Spark Texas

Art Spark Texas works to create positive change in the lives of people with disabilities through artistic opportunities, classes and professional internships; as well as producing and presenting groundbreaking visual art exhibitions and performance in dance, theater, spoken word and music. Established in 1996, we have built a legacy of offering inclusive, multi-arts programs and services, and have directly served over 95,000 Texans with and without disabilities in every region of the state. Art Spark Texas main office is located in Austin and has a staff of two full-time and five-part time employees, who are supported in their work by teaching artists, interns, and approximately 75 volunteers a year. A Board of Directors provides fiscal oversight through their quarterly board meetings.

We serve people with disabilities across all cultures and ethnicities, and specifically work the following purpose: We offer ARTISTS in all disciplines opportunities to pursue a meaningful career; YOUTH of all abilities a window onto a world filled with imaginative work; EDUCATORS in the 21st century a creative outlook on learning; and ACCESS for everyone through engaged and accessible communities. Our programming is designed to cultivate people with disabilities as consumers and creators, delivering significant cultural arts services through:
• arts education and residency programs
• professional development opportunities for artists and teachers
• cultural access services including audio description.

Some of the achievements we are most proud of include 17 years of exhibitions featuring the work of artists with disabilities; 11 years serving veterans and their families; 20 years of artist residencies in inclusive and special education classrooms; producing 6 Sight Sound Soul concerts, a multi-media performance of music, art and spoken word; 12 years of Mobile Art classes for adults with dementia and other aging related disabilities; 12 years of dance with Body Shift, our mixed ability dance collective; Residencies by award winning choreographers, Alito Alessi, Stephan Koplowitz, Nina Martin, Gerda Honig and Heidi Latsky; producing national tour by Russian Deaf Theater Co. with performances in Toronto, Santa Fe, Denver, Austin, Washington DC and Boston; first organization in U.S.A. to provide audio description of Cirque du Soleil; to mention just a few of the many things we have done for the last 24 years.

Art Spark Texas programs, leadership and staff have been honored by numerous awards and recognitions including the Governor’s Trophy, Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities - Martha Arbuckle Meritorious Service - Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities - Bert Kruger Smith Vision Award, AGE of Central Texas - National VSA Award for Excellence in Organizational Management - Inclusive Arts Programs, Follow the Dream; TX Parks and Recreation - Disability Advocacy, by Sister Cities International Benbrook - Austin Critics Table Award, Outstanding Touring Show, Bill T. Shannon - and Best Theatrical Activism, Actual Lives, The Austin Chronicle.