Resources » Putting Creativity to WorkAt a time when almost two-thirds of people with disabilities are unemployed, VSA artsis proud to present a new publication, Putting Creativity to Work: Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities.  Whether you are a visual, literary or performing artist with a disability this publication provides valuable information to help you pursue not just a job, but a career that is creative and challenging. Career development, vocational rehabilitation, and special education professionals will also find this to be an indispensable resource as they assist artists with disabilities in pursuing viable career options in the arts. 

Carefully designed to provide the most up-to-date and relevant information, this publication begins by describing more than 110 arts-related careers. Biographies of 25 artists with disabilities are spread throughout the guide, and describe personal strategies these artists used to succeed in pursuing their dreams. Sections on job searching skills, locating assistive technology, navigating the social services system, and finding affordable health insurance are just some of what you will find. Also included are tips and advice on successfully navigating a career in the visual, performing or literary arts.

To read and download you may visit the VSA arts website.

We hope you find this information valuable in your pursuit of a career that inspires your passion.

1. Introduction, Foreward, Table of Contents  128 KB
2. Section I: Clarifying Your Direction
   • Chapter 1: Knowing What's Right for You  76 KBA. Taking a Look at a Careers in the Arts
     B. Knowing Yourself: The Self-Assessment Process
     C. Getting Additional Guidance on Self-Assessment
     D. Indentifying Your Options
     E. Researching your Options
     F. Evaluating your Options and Desiging a Course of Action
     G. The Story of Bill, a case history
     H. Using the Internet as a Research Tool
   • Chapter 2: Your Career Options in the Arts  772 KBA. Career Opportunities in the Literary Arts
     B. Career Opportunities in the Performing Arts
     C. Career Opportunities in the Visual arts and Design
     D. Career Opportunities in Arts Services
     E. Other Career Guides
     
     • Career Guides for the Literary Arts
     • Career Guides for the Performing Arts
     • Career Guides for the Visual Arts
     • Other Useful Career Guides
     F. The Impact of Technology and the Internet on Arts Careers
3. Section II: The First Step Toward a Successful Career:
   Training, Education and Experience
   • Chapter 3: Getting More Education and Professional Experience  124 KBA. Choosing an Appropriate College or University Program
     B. Vocational Rehabilitation Service: An Overview
     C. Internships, Apprenticeships, and Other Informal Training
     D. Competitions and Contests
     E. Finding a Professional Mentor
   • Chapter 4: Getting Financial Aid for Education  60 KBA. The Basics of Loans
     B. The Basics of Scholarships
     C. Resources for Finding Financial Aid and Scholarships
     D. A PASS Can Help Pay for School
   • Chapter 5: Assistive Technology for Education and Work  88 KBA. What is Assistive Technology
     B. Assistive Technology for Education
     C. A Beginners Guide to Funding Assistive Technology
     D. Resources to Help Locate & Fund Assistive Technology
4. Section III: Jumpstarting your Career
   • Chapter 6: Making a Good First Impression  108 KBA. Marketing yourself and your talent
     B. Resume basics
     C. Portfolio basics
     D. Interview basics
     E. For People with Disabilities: Know Your Rights as an Interviewee
     F. Cover Letters and Thank-You Notes
   • Chapter 7: Job Search Basics  60 KBA. Places to Begin your Job Search
     B. The Art of Networking
     C. Employment and Temporary Agencies
     D. Want Ads
     E. Creating a One-of-a-Kind Position: The Employer Proposal
   • Chapter 8: The Self-employment Option  80 KBA. Exploring Self-Employment as an Option
     
     • Exploring Self-Employment as an Option
     • The First Steps toward Self-Employment
     • Possible Barriers to Self-Employment for People with Disabilities
     • Tips on Preparing a Business Plan
     B. Resources for the Self-Employed and Entrepreneurs
   • Chapter 9: Mapping the Road to Success  192 KBA. Launching a Successful Career in the Literary Arts
     • Where to Start
     • Write Something!
     • Marketing your Products
     • Resources
     • Community Resources
     B. Launching a Successful Career in the Performing Arts: Acting
     • A Hard Look at Reality
     • Advice on Getting Started
     • Talent Agents
     • Managers
     • Headshots
     • Resumes
     • Demo Films and Audiotapes
     • Postcards
     • Your Appointment Book
     • A Word on Bookkeeping
     • Finding Work
     • Tips for Successful Auditions
     • Trade Papers and Talent Directories
     • Unions
     • Your Rights as a Performer with a Disability
     • Tips for a Successful Career
     • Resources Specifically for Actors with a Disability
     • Books on the Business of Acting
     C. Launching a Successful Career in the Visual Arts
     • Introduction: Why Do People Make Art?
     • Creating A Portfolio
     • Elements of a Portfolio
       1. Cover Letter
       2. Resume
       3. Slides
       4. The Artist's Biography
       5. The Artist's Statement
       6. Miscellaneous Portfolio Tips
     • Showing and Selling Your Work: Why? Where? To Whom?
     • The Pros and Cons of Working with Galleries
     • Pricing Work
     • Juried Exhibitions
     • Organizing your own Exhibition
     • Artist's Registries
     • Small Businesses
     • Municipal Spaces
     • Fellowships, Residencies, and Grants
     • Taxes
     • The Web
     • Resources for Visual Artists
     • Shipping Artwork
     • Slide Registries
     • Useful Web Sites
5. Section IV: Successfully Navigating your Chosen Path
   • Chapter 10: Basic Benefit Issues for Artists with Disabilities  236 KBA. The Eposidic Earner
     B. Health Insurance
     C. Social Security: Understanding SSI and SSDI
     D. Understanding Work Incentives
     E. Work Incentives that Apply to Both SSI and SSDI Recipients
     F. Work Incentives for SSDI Recipients Only
     G. Work Incentives for SSI Recipients Only
     H. A Closer Look as PASS
     I. The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 and You (TWWIAA)
     J. Understanding Medicare
     K. Understanding Medicaid
   • Chapter 11: Working with Your New Employer  152 KBA. Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
     B. Accommodations for Work
     C. Resources to Education Your New Employer
6. Appendices: Business and Professional Resources for Literary, Performing and Visual Artists  328 KB
   • Appendix A: General Arts Organizations
   • Appendix B: Arts Related Associations and Unions
   • Appendix C: Arts Related Journals, Trades and other Publications
   • Appendix D: Resources for people with Disabilities in the Arts
   • Appendix E: Internship Opportunities in the Arts
   • Appendix F: Funding Resources for Artists
   • Appendix G: State Technology Assistance Projects
   • Appendix H: State Client Assistance Programs and Protection And Advocacy Agencies For People With Disabilities
   • Appendix I: Job Resources
7. Bibliography  20 KB