Everyone is special
The Everyone is Special (EIS) program is an extension of Amazement Square’s educational priorities to cultivate an engaged community of lifelong learners and ensure hands-on experiential learning is accessible to all visitors. Through this program Amazement Square is able to provide unique museum exploration experiences to children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, their siblings, and parents. Additionally, this program provides STEAM based experiential learning opportunities to adaptive learning classrooms.
VSA MUSEUM ACCESS FOR KIDS PROGRAM
The Office of VSA and Accessibility, is a Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Kennedy Center believes that engagement in the arts is an essential, ongoing part of the education of students with disabilities and is working to make it standard practice throughout the country. VSA’s signature programs nurture and recognize the vital role of arts education for students with disabilities, from pre-K through the 12th grade and beyond, to sustain achievement academically, socially and as engaged citizens of the twenty-first century. VSA program participants – whether writing their first one-act play or painting a self-portrait – are artists first!
Through the VSA program, Amazement Square aims to reach students that do not currently have access to art class or art programming in hopes of bringing meaning to art-making and encourage creativity within our young students. Amazement Square had the privilege of facilitating an in-classroom art program entitled “Creative Cut-outs” exploring the art style of Henri Matisse to over 100 students with special needs during the 2022-2023 school year through a contract with The Kennedy Center in a program called VSA Museum Access for Kids Program. The main goal of the VSA Museum Access for Kids Program was to provide the opportunity to learn about and explore museums. Students from Amherst High, Amelon Elementary, Heritage High, Staunton River Middle, Staunton River High, Altavista Combined School, EC Glass High, and R.S. Payne Elementary participated in the 2022-2023 VSA Art Program.
For more information, contact us at education@amazementsquare.org or 434-845-1888.
Amherst High
Amelon Elementary
Heritage High
Altavista Combined School
EC Glass High
Staunton River High
Staunton River Middle
R.S. Payne Elementary
Programming for Special Education Classrooms
As a Partner in Education with the Lynchburg City Schools, Amazement Square celebrated its 21st year in an ongoing partnership with LAUREL Regional Program. Serving students ages 4-21, this program offers hands-on workshops and museum visits to youth who are living with severe physical and/mental challenges. These programs have been tailored to student needs and provide an opportunity for teachers and students to develop portfolios for the Virginia Alternative Assessment Program.
