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When you’re as determined as the artists at Art Enables.
Art Enables is an arts-entrepreneurial program for adults with developmental and/or mental disabilities who have a passion for drawing and painting and who would like to work at becoming artists. The program helps participants improve their artistic and vocational skills and become producing artists. The program currently has twenty-five such artists who are contributing to the diversity of the arts community in the Nation’s capitol and earning income from sales of their work.
Who is a good fit for Art Enables?
Art Enables is looking for individuals 18 years and older...
• who are enthusiastic about expressing themselves in visual images
• who are willing and able to spend full days working with others in a professional studio. Sessions run from 9 am to 4 pm, MON - FRI.
• who can work under the guidance of artist instructors to discover their individual style
• who would like to exhibit their artwork in shows at the Art Enables studio and around the city and, even better,
• who would like to earn money from sales of their work
How easy or hard is it to be an artist?
It’s step by step.
Everyone comes to Art Enables with different skills and experiences, but at the studio they all
• get the professional guidance they need to learn how best to work with a broad range of quality materials
• get the encouragement and support they need to try new approaches and techniques
• have a context in which to learn to work with discipline, take responsibility for supplies and equipment, concentrate for full days
• learn through interactions with staff and colleagues how best to resolve conflicts, take supervision, collaborate, make themselves understood
• work together with staff to build their web page on the program web site
• take pride in having their work professionally framed and exhibited
• enjoy tremendous boosts in self-esteem through developing their talents and becoming achievers at something which comes naturally to them
Let’s say I might like to try or I might not.
Then we should talk about it.
Anyone who thinks they might qualify for Art Enables—or who knows someone they think would be a good match for the program—should call for an appointment to come talk to us. We hear from a lot of case managers and/or parents who would like to introduce a possible candidate, but very often it is the potential artist himself or herself who calls. We will explain the program, ask questions, answer questions, do some art together and see if Art Enables is the right match.
Does it cost something to participate in Art Enables?
Yes, but it’s worth it.
There is a fee for participation in Art Enables. The program is a vendor for the DDS/Medicaid Waiver in the District and has the support of the Department of Mental Health. Participants from outside the District are funded through a variety of state agencies such as DORS in Maryland. The case manager is usually the best source of information about obtaining fee-for-service for participation in Art Enables.
Art Enables cannot accept candidates
• with a history of violent behavior towards themselves or others, and who might therefore pose a hazard to other participants or to staff
• who are unwilling or unable to conform to the rules of the studio
• who are unwilling or unable to accept differences of expression