Arts Unbound, Arts Access Announce Community Supported Art Program (CSA) For Artists With Disability

ORANGE, N.J. - Feb. 10, 2016 - PRLog -- CONTACT:
Celene Ryan

Tel:973-675-2787
cryan@artsunbound.org

ARTS UNBOUND AND THE MATHENY ARTS ACCESS ANNOUNCE THE FIRST

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED ARTS (CSA) PROGRAM FOR ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES

New twist on proven agriculture model helps emerging artists with disabilities launch their professional art careers

ORANGE, NJ, February 9 2016 – Arts Unbound and The Matheny Medical and Educational Center’s Arts Access Program, two New Jersey-based non-profits that support the professional development of artists with developmental or physical disabilities, have launched Art Garden CSA, a Community Supported Arts Program (CSA) to connect emerging artists with disabilities and local art collectors. Based on popular Community Supported Agriculture programs that let consumers buy seasonal food directly from local farms, the Art Garden CSA cultivates a relationship between emerging artists and buyers whose purchases help support and sustain those artists’ careers.

“Our Art Garden CSA will help local artists with disabilities launch their professional careers with the hope that they could become self-supporting through the sale of their art,” said Celene Ryan, Director of Artist Development at Arts Unbound. “It’s a powerful dynamic because when the buyers meet the artists and receive their artwork, it dispels any misperceptions about the range, sophistication and quality of art created by people with disabilities.”

Through The Art Garden CSA, 10 local artists with disabilities will be selected and each will be given a stipend of $1,000. Each artist will be required to create 25 pieces of art for the program. These could range from paintings, jewelry, small sculptures, wearable art, photography and more. The “community” is comprised of any individual or group that purchases one of the 25 available shares. They pay $500 for each share and in return receive 10 pieces of art — one from each artist. The buyers will receive their art at two "pick-up" events during the year where they can meet the artists and establish relationships. Shares can be purchased through the Art Garden web site at artgardencsa.org.

“This program puts us at the forefront of an entirely new way of connecting artists with patrons and making original art accessible to first-time buyers. What makes Art Garden CSA so special though, is that not only are you buying great art, every share purchased helps a talented artist with a disability move one step closer towards making a living as a professional artist,” said Eileen Murray, Director of the

Arts Access Program,

Matheny Medical and Educational Center. “Your purchase also goes towards providing training to help our artists develop the entrepreneurial skills, like building a website, promoting their art and nurturing relationships, that will help them succeed in their careers.

Art Garden CSA is made possible by a Community Employment Grant from the Kessler Foundation.

For more information contact Celene Ryan, Director of Artist Development, Arts Unbound, at cryan@artsunbound.org or call 973-675-2787.

Arts Unbound is a 501 c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the artistic achievement of people living with disabilities and seniors.They provide visual arts education and professional development to help emerging artists compete on the retail market.

Arts Unbound works with learning and emerging artists with disabilities and seniors through the two core programs, visual arts education and artist development. By promoting the work of artists with disabilities and seniors, Arts Unbound centers their art-making rather than any impairments and by doing so challenges the stigma associated with disability and aging.

Matheny's Arts Access program empowers individuals with disabilities to create art without boundaries. Through the use of innovative systems and techniques, participants can take part in the visual, performing and literary arts. Regardless of their disability, clients are provided with the tools and materials needed to take full creative control over their artistic journey.

Arts Access provides clients with a nurturing environment for expression; a chance to interact with other artists; and an opportunity for performance and exhibition. The Arts Access program is a vehicle through which disabled individuals can have their ideas, imagination and creativity come to life.