About Us

VSA Delaware was established in the first state in 1988 as an affiliate of the national office, which was founded by Jean Kennedy Smith in 1974. We are a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization under the leadership of an Executive Director and an active Board of Directors. Our vision is to continue to enlighten and raise awareness among all people in Delaware through the strength of an all-inclusive, cooperative effort involving national and international affiliates and partners, as well as friends and supporters, artists and audiences.

Our participants range in age from three to 101. They inspire us through their artistic expression as demonstrated through a wide variety of media: dance, drama, music, literature and the visual arts. We facilitate programs throughout the state of Delaware including Artists in Residency (AIR) arts education models.

Since its inception, VSA Delaware has been the only organization of its kind. Our goal is to continue to foster greater community involvement and collaboration. We look forward to making even more progress in the development of specialized arts training, inclusion sites, cultural awareness and diversity of programming throughout Delaware.

Name Change…in May 2010 VSA arts of Delaware adopted the new name VSA Delaware in a sweeping change initiated by the national office. Formed in 1974, 18 years before the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, VSA was originally known as National Committee - Arts for the Handicapped. The organization was and continues to be a pioneer in the field of arts and disability.

VSA has played a significant role over the years in changing society’s attitudes toward people with disabilities. With that change, the organization has regularly looked at its own identity to ensure it is consistent with current attitudes and language used by the disability community.

The Evolution of the VSA name:

  • 1974: National Committee - Arts for the Handicapped
  • 1985: Very Special Arts
  • 1999: VSA arts
  • 2009: VSA

VSA was long known as Very Special Arts. Words such as 'special' and 'handicapped' do not reflect current language trends in the United States and many other countries. We are now VSA Delaware - The State Organization on Arts and Disability. We encourage everyone to embrace our new identity while realizing that while the name has changed…the mission is the same.

Mission

VSA Delaware recognizes the need for children and adults with disabilities to be provided with opportunities to participate and achieve in the areas of performing and visual arts. As valuable learning tools, the arts should be fully accessible by all individuals. We are unique as we are the only organization in Delaware with a sole mission devoted specifically to enhancing the capabilities, confidence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities by providing life-long learning opportunities in the arts.