People with disabilities, libraries and community organizations across the country will gain access to a new collection of artwork created by artists with disabilities through a $500,000 grant awarded to Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired in partnership with Proclaiming Disability Arts.
The funding will support the creation of "Disability Arts," a multiformat publication featuring visual art, writing and performance work in accessible formats, according to a community announcement.
The grant was awarded by the Mellon Foundation to support publication of the project in multiple print volumes and through a new website designed with accessibility features. Organizers said the effort is intended to bring together artists, readers
and disability-centered organizations through a broad community-building initiative.
“We’re excited to partner with PDA and honored to receive this grant from the Mellon Foundation,” said Samuel Foulkes, director of braille production and accessible innovation at Clovernook Center. “The resources that will be created because of this grant will be life-changing for disabled artists and art lovers alike.”
The project will feature contributions from artists with disabilities representing diverse geographic regions, backgrounds and artistic disciplines. Organizers said the content will be developed in several accessible formats intended to engage people with varying sensory and cognitive experiences.
Accessible formats planned
Clovernook Center will produce two versions of boxed sets as part of the project.
One edition will include printed books with select braille pages, tactile graphics and 3D models. A second edition will include braille books with select tactile graphics and 3D models.
Funding also will support the production and free distribution of 1,500 copies of "Disability Arts" to readers with disabilities, disability-centered community spaces and libraries throughout the United States.
The collection also will be available for purchase online and in museum bookstores.
More information about Clovernook Center and its programs is available at clovernook.org.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Clovernook Center lands $500K grant for disability arts project
