Norwich Consulting

By Patty Mitchell

I am going to assume you do not consider yourself an artist/creative person. You consider yourself a provider and part of a support system for people living with a disability. I would argue that being alive and having figured out how to survive you are creative. When people tell me they are not artistically creative they can often go back to a pivotal moment with an influential person who through body language or words told them they were not good enough. And here is where their comfort and artistic exploration ended. We have enormous influence over other people. Just as we can limit opportunity and encouragement we can support and develop a culture of “YES!” so that the people in our lives are free to grow and create.

The first step to Funding/Finding the Arts is to acknowledge you are a creative person. You will use your skills to develop programming, find materials, support others and translate a belief that something wonderful IS going to happen. By providing pencil, paper and encouragement you will begin see what is in the hearts and minds of the people you work with and your relationship will grow. When you really look at what another person is sharing/creating and listen to what they have to say you will have a deeper understanding of that person. We all have an innate need to create and be valued. When you listen and connect you will be opening up opportunity for another person and encouraging their creative self to come forward. Not only is this the most important part, it is free!! Your job is to provide the materials and environment for people to be creative. You are not responsible to tell people what to draw, what it should look like, what colors to use… but to provide the opportunity to explore in a safe and loving place. 

“What are you painting?”
“People at a May Day Celebration”

If your goal is to build a fine arts studio within your program- I promise, you will benefit greatly by working with a professional artist. We are so lucky to live in Ohio. One of many reasons: the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). Applying to the Artist in Residency Program, you can invite a highly trained experienced artist to work with you for 2-10 weeks including writers, visual artists, musicians, dancers… http://www.oac.state.oh.us/grantsprogs/ArtsLearning.asp This can be a great way to kick start your project. 

The OAC also supports grants specifically for artists with disabilities: “Artists With Disabilities Access Program” http://www.oac.state.oh.us/aboutOAC/accessibility.asp Applicants may request up to $500; however, most grants average $300. The OAC offers many funding opportunities and resources please take a little time and explore their webpage.

Look to your local foundations for opportunities. Don’t let the idea of grant writing freak you out. It is just story telling. You are telling the story of your organization, explaining what you want to do and why this funding agency would want to support this work. To be a good story teller later begin now by collecting strong photographs, anecdotal stories from your participants, parents, community…, define a mission, vision, purpose for your project and develop partnerships in your community. Define what you want to do (In a BIG picture sense). This will help you find the right granting agency and clarity when writing your grant.

You don’t have to invent everything. Look to existing art organizations for inspiration and ideas:

http://www.creativityexplored.org/
http://www.creativegrowth.org/
http://www.niadart.org/
http://nadc.ucla.edu/
www.passionworks.org/

Art takes form in response to ideas. First you imagine, then something can be made. You can’t bake a bunch of cookies until you decide to- then what kind? Do you have the ingredients…check, check…off you go. The cookies are made, shared and through your work- connections happen. You’ve made something for someone to taste, enjoy – trigger a memory.

Making art creates connections too. It helps us tell each other who/what is important, points out beauty or things that are confusing. Through collaborative arts programming the arts are used as a vehicle so we can listen and respond to each other. Unlike baking cookies- there is not a predetermined “product”. Only that through the process of making something new we will learn about each other, create evidence of our existence and how we see a bit of the world.

How is this approach different from crafts? Arts and Crafts, traditionally used in programming, are about an already predetermined goal. The pieces of a project fit together in an expected way and we (the participants) are just the labor for someone else’s idea. When working with people with multiple challenges and an angel made of macaroni is held up as the example of what we are shooting for and participants do not have the fine motor skills to replicate the task or thought processes that can lead them through the expected steps of the task- then the person’s deficits are amplified. And who wants to be reminded of the things they can’t do? Offer someone a pen in anticipation of seeing their drawing- respond positively to what is made- understanding that they are the only one who could make that particular work. Through this simple exchange you have created the environment where individuals are respected for their personal insight. Now you have created a platform for discovery, exploration and experimentation.

As a staff person/facilitator it is not your responsibility to imagine the completed project. You have the ability to research methods, find materials…you bring the idea of what process to explore (i.e. painting, paper mache, quilting, sculpture, doll making, books…) the content- or ideas and approach to the materials come from your participants. You can say, “This is the correct way to draw a house…everyone follow me.” Or you can offer materials and see what happens. Maybe the participants will draw a floor plan, or a rabbit hole or a flower- doesn’t matter. In the moment of drawing with someone you can encourage, ask questions…pointing to the drawing, “What happens next?” encouraging expanding on an idea ….and you might get an idea and think- that sketch would look great cut out of 8′piece of plywood. You have the ability to find the wood, a way to project the image, trace and cut it out. You can then ask participants to paint and further work on the cut outs. Again, you are not responsible in directing the project so tightly that you offer THE colors for the project- but ask the participant artists- “What color do you see this giant bunny?” The question can be asked directly, holding up a color chart, a few pots of paint (communicating in the best method for your participant). It comes down to really listening and responding, respecting the ideas of your participants and deferring all activity/concepts that can be generated by the participants be generated by the participants.

When staff often first learn of this method of working through the arts and feel uncomfortable –I’ve heard, “I don’t have the time to do one more thing”, “I don’t like the way this art looks”, “I’m not an artist”….My response…don’t let your fears block you from new experiences and in turn deny exciting opportunities for the people you serve. Never made anything like this before? GREAT! Participating in doing something unfamiliar- you will learn so much! Afraid of looking silly? Dorky? What if you aren’t any good at it? Doing nothing may be safe, but it is NO FUN! And no fun makes for a very long work day. GENERATE FUN and people will be attracted to you and your projects. FUN attracts attention and energy. I love working with people with cognitive challenges- as a population these folks are so enthusiastic and responsive. If you declare DISCO DAY! Blast some music you will have a party before you know it. We are so lucky to work with a group so eager to participate and take chances. There is a lot to learn from the people we work for!

Teams are everywhere. There are face-to-face teams that meet in-person, virtual teams who only meet on a teleconferencing line, and task force teams that met for a specific cause and then are disbanded once the goal has been achieved.

While this list can be best applied to a work team situation, you can also apply it to a sports team or a family group. Anywhere where people are grouped together for any length of time qualifies as a team here. So, enjoy these great ways you can do your share to pull your weight on a team:

Be mission-focused.
Allow the overall organizational mission drive your day to day actions on the team. Develop a personal mission statement of how you will behave as a team member.

Be professional.
Keep communication lines open (verbal, written, etc.) intra and inter shift. Ask for assistance of other team members when needed. Offer assistance in areas of strengths. Give and receive constructive feedback.

Contribute value in your own unique way.
Be of assistance in areas where you see gaps and where you can add value. Contribute and participate in meetings.

Be a solution seeker, not a source of problems.
Never present a problem without a method or suggestion for solving it. People will only remember you for the problems you solve and the problems you cause.

Build trust with your fellow team members.
Spend a little time getting to know your fellow team members. Ask clarifying questions before judgments/evaluations are made. Offer help. Make new people feel welcomed.

Have fun.
Embrace and appreciate diversity. Learn from others.

L. Danyetta Najoli