Arts for All, Inc.

The mission of Arts for All, Inc. is to provide accessible education, experiences and training in the arts for children, particularly those with special needs, and adults with disabilities.

Arts for All focuses on the needs of school-age children and is located in the Amphitheatre School district close to Nash and Keeling elementary schools. Arts for All is known for its ability to incorporate services for children with special needs, those who are bilingual and those with physical and/or other disabilities. Arts for All combines human services, childcare and the arts. The daily out-of-school activities begin with a nutritious snack at 3:00 p.m. and outside play at 3:30 p.m. Every day at 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. there are choices of homework help, art, ceramics, dance, drama or music classes. Cooperation and coordination with many of the local school districts allow children to be transported by their local school bus. This is due to Arizona Statue 15-764 (A). This statute states that if a school cannot provide adequate supervision and care for a child with special needs then the school district must transport that child to a program that can meet his/her needs. Currently children are bused to Arts for All from Tucson and Amphitheatre Unified School Districts. Some children come by accessible van service vendors or private transportation. The cornerstone of Arts for All is the accessibility of its classes and activities. The accessibility of the programs extends to materials in Braille and large print, staff knowledgeable in American Sign Language and Spanish, Laser Art Technique (L.A.T.) classes, physical accessibility of the arts center, audio describers and personal care assistance. During the Summer and Winter Arts Camps, campers are grouped by age into teams. The groups rotate through the music, dance, drama, art and ceramics studios and participate in games, crafts and cooking activities in the MPR (multi-purpose room) and games room. Many of the campers return year after year. The end of the summer culminates with a Talent show held at Pima Community College Center for the Arts. Daily data collection results in monthly reports to inform parents, counselors and cooperating agencies about the children's achievements, strengths and needs. Adults with disabilities come daily to fill their days with learning through the arts.

Testimonials

"Arts for All provides a much needed outlet for a community that is too often overlooked: those with mental and physical disabilities. At Arts for All, it's about what they CAN do, not what they CAN'T do."
"Arts for All is a great organization that makes a real difference in the life of their participants. The confidence that grows in the children and adults when they engage in the arts is amazing."
"Our son has been going here for many years because they've always welcomed him and made him part of the community. He looks forward to going, makes friends, and enjoys the activities. They helped him discover his love for the stage, and have given him many opportunities. As a parent, I like it because their expectations for our kids are so high!"
"I have been involved with Arts for All on many levels for quite some time. My child and now adult has been through the programs and is in college, he has confidence more than most, has a strong community support system, and I owe a huge thanks to all of the dedication that the executive director and staff put into these children/adults. She is no joke, she puts her heart and soul into Arts for All. positivity is life-altering."