PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT FREELY TO ALL WHO MAY BE INTERESTED:
If you are an American with a disability pursuing a primary career in the arts, or if you have been deeply involved in supporting careers in the arts for people with disabilities:
JOIN A “VIRTUAL FOCUS GROUP” ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC!
WHAT’S THIS ABOUT?
We are conducting a research project based at the University of Illinois at Chicago called, “Experiences of Individuals with Disabilities Pursuing Careers in the Arts: Creating a National Portrait” funded by the National Endowment for the Arts (PS 04-01). We are gathering data bearing on two primary research questions:
1. What are the barriers and facilitators mediating access to careers in the arts for Americans with disabilities?
2. What are the social, personal, and economic outcomes of training and work in the arts for Americans with disabilities?
WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
Next month, we will open a 6-week e-mail discussion forum focusing on one question per week regarding careers in the arts for Americans with disabilities.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
You are eligible to participate in our “virtual focus group” if you are age 18 or over AND you are at least ONE of the following:
–a disabled or nondisabled resident of the U.S. with intensive involvement or experience in arts careers and disability.
–a U.S. resident with a disability working in or pursuing careers involving the arts (e.g., arts training, administration, program development), or a career artist with a disability in the U.S.
HOW TO JOIN:
For more information about participating, contact:
Terri Thrower
Graduate Research Assistant
tthrow1@uic.edu
Contact Ms. Thrower as soon as possible because the enrollment deadline is April 6, and the virtual focus group begins on April 16.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS: The researchers conducting this study are Carol J. Gill, Ph.D. and Carrie Sandahl, Ph.D. If you have questions, you may contact the researchers at:
University of Illinois at Chicago (MC 626)
(312) 355-0550 v
1640 W. Roosevelt Road, Room 236
(312) 996-1233 TTY
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 996-0885 fax
E-mail: cg16@uic.edu
