After serving the community for 25 years, non-profit VSA Arts of Washington (VSAAW) could be in jeopardy. Located in the Seattle Center, VSA provides open studio space and support for individuals with mental, cognitive, developmental, and physical disabilities.
For most, it is much more than a place to create art, it is their home.
VSA means a lot to Venus Bravo de Reuda. Her sister Lupita Cano, a well-known Seattle artist with Down Syndrome, has been painting and finding refuge at VSA for 13 years. On Oct. 7, the studio manager informed Bravo de Reuda that another local non-profit, Creative Activities for the Physically Disabled (CAPD), took over from VSA Oct. 20.
Bravo de Reuda was already familiar with CAPD, her sister had tried to get a grant through them about a year ago, but while researching it, found out that Cano would not be eligible since she had a developmental and not a physical disability-only the latter are served by CAPD. "This concerns me since the two non-profits have such different missions. Will the artists with VSA still have a future there? Will their needs still be important?" Bravo de Reuda asked.
Not knowing where to turn, Bravo de Reuda contacted the national VSA office in Washington D.C. and was told that the two organizations would work in a "parallel" manner, however, they were unable to explain what exactly that meant.
The national VSA office also included that it was glad to hear that there is support in the Seattle VSA community, since they "have been hearing the opposite." All of these mixed messages have left Bravo de Reuda feeling very confused, and she encourages the community to help her save VSA.
To help, email Carol McGrath of VSA Arts at carolm@vsarts.org or call 800-933-8721.[[In-content Ad]]
