Careers in the Arts
Dance>Detour Are There Really Jobs in the Arts?
A 2008 Dun & Bradstreet Creative Industries Study revealed that there are 612,095 businesses in the U.S. involved in the creation or distribution of the arts, employing 2.98 million people. These figures represent 4.3 percent of all businesses and 2.2 percent of all employees. Arts employment is not restricted to New York City or Los Angeles, either: As of January 2008, Indiana had 8,905 arts-related businesses that employ 53,924 people! Growth for arts-centered businesses in Indiana was nearly 10% for the period of 2004 - 2008.
People with disabilities contribute their talents to many fields in the arts. You've probably heard of Andrea Bocelli, the singer, or remember Chris Burke, the TV actor from Life Goes On. Maybe you've been blown away by comedian Josh Blue, or were lucky enough to see the National Theatre of the Deaf. Ever been awed by a performance of Alana Yvonne Wallace's Chicago performing company, Dance>Detour? Seen the miraculous work of Ohio photographer Traci Parks? Read about People with Disabilities in the Arts.
photo courtesy Alana Wallace
Some people in creative fields are visible as persons with a disability, others prefer not to be identified as such. Obstacles to earning a living as an artist are doubled for those facing physical, cognitive,or emotional challenges. Even so, this hasn't stopped determined individuals with a variety of disability types and severity levels, people who are getting some income from doing what they're passionate about.
Jobs in creative fields cover the full range of performing, literary, and visual arts, in positions requiring extensive training, in entryl-level jobs, and everything in between. These careers include work "behind-the-scenes," for example, sound technician, proofreader, gallery assistant, achitectural office adminiatrator, dance teacher, or box office manager. Arts-related careers include numerous allied professions, too (for example, entertainment lawyer, advertising copywriter, Web designer, music librarian, art supply sales clerk, stage electrician). See a List of Careers in the Arts
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Careers in the Arts in Indiana: Dawning Awareness
Recognition of arts careers and disability issues is on the horizon here in Indiana. One hundred people showed up for a first-ever statewide forum on careers in the arts in 2004. Among them were people with disabilities who paint, write, do woodworking, teach art, work in arts administration, perform music, and more.
At the state level, the Indiana Arts Commission is showing its commitment to artists with disabilities as it assists ArtsWORK Indiana to get off and running. Some of the state's Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) counselors are now recognizing the arts as a potentially viable line of work, and they're providing support to make it happen. On a pilot basis, VRS has supported continuation of the Customized Employment Project serving Indianapolis and surrounding areas. People participating in this project are among the Hoosiers with disabilities who are creating their own jobs by starting small, arts-related businesses.
Arts Career Information Sources Focusing on Disability
Putting Creativity to Work
Published in 2000 by Vsa arts (formerly Very Special Arts), and now available at no cost online format only (pdf). Describes 110 arts-related careers, with biographies of 25 artists with disabilities and the successful strategies they used in pursuing their dreams. Includes sections on job searching skills, financial aid, assistive technology, the social services system, health insurance, and more.
VSA arts
On the VSA arts website, you'll find career development tips for visual artists; adaptive resources including art supplies, adaptive tools, and instruments for visual and performing artists; national events and opportunities. An online directory showcases artists with disabilities. VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization that promotes lifelong learning opportunities in the arts for people with disabilities.
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National Arts and Disability Center
The NADC website serves as a clearinghouse for information and resources on funding, marketing, media and performing arts, and more, including a bibliography on careers in the arts; an online gallery of USA visual artists. NADC offers technical assistance through by phone or email, training at arts or disability focused conferences, and strategic planning and consultation to organizations/associations to enhance their accessibility to artists and audiences with disabilities.
National Endowment for the Arts Office for Accessibility
Provides advocacy and technical assistance to make the arts accessible for people with disabilities, older adults, veterans, and people living in institutions. Lots of resources, including an accessible media resource list.
Click on Careers in the Arts for career information resources targeted to people with disabilities.
Developmental Obstacles to Careers in the Arts for Young Persons
with Disabilities A comprehensive report examining the barriers to arts employment faced by youth with disabilities.
Creative Callings
A Guide to Free, Online Career Resources for People in Indiana
Focusing on arts-related work and disabilities, this online publication from the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community is free of charge. 37 pages The guide is also formatted as a printer-friendly document. These documents are in 
PDF format.
For additional sources of information, see Indiana Arts Organizations.