Huntingdon, Tenn.–Friends Life Community has partnered with The Dixie Carter Performing Arts & Academic Enrichment Center to pilot the program Disability Arts Access in Rural Tennessee (DAART). DAART focuses on teaching participants self-advocacy, confidence, and self-expression skills through the arts, while also training local Teaching Artists and arts professionals to work with individuals with disabilities, in order to ensure that those in the local community can create and support opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
This program, funded by a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission, and generous support from Bethel University, also allows for student interns to become trained in evidence-based practices for those with disabilities, while learning to use their talents to teach foundational life and social skills to the program participants.
Throughout DAART, participants explore art modalities such as visual art, pottery, music, theatre, photography, and dance. The program kicked off July 2018 and will run through May 2019. Participants learn about poetry, music, photography, art, and theatre from professional artists and creators, including Joel Washburn, Joanna Turner, Lizz Gonzalez, and Glynda Rich.
Lori Neal Nolen, Executive Director at The Dixie, is thrilled to partner with Friend’s Life and support this pilot program and the team involved. “Friend’s Life Performing Arts Specialist, Sarah Edwards, grew up in Carroll County and was very involved as a student in our Dixie Youth Theatre classes. Seeing her return and partner with our center, has been amazing to observe. It truly is the impact The Dixie’s programs can have on a child, to inspire them to do what they love and change the world with it.”
Adults with intellectual and developmental require additional assistance and support outside their immediate family. Friends Life gives them the opportunities and support they require and deserve. Through our day program, social club, career coaching, and life coaching, adults with developmental disabilities have a place to belong and the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Friends Life Community was founded in 2007 and is a registered 501(c)3 organization based in Nashville, TN. To find out more about Friends Life Community and the DAART program at The Dixie please visit www.friendslife.org or contact The Dixie Box Office at (731)986-2100.
