Jobs in the arts are becoming easier for people with disabilities to find. Artists with disabilities have made their mark in a wide array of media. Disability employment has welcomed comedian Josh Blue, the GIMP troupe of disabled and wheelchair dancers, actor Chris Burke from Life Goes On, and the National Theatre of the Deaf, among many others. More than 556,000 arts-related businesses employ 2.7 million people in the U.S. alone.

Disability Art Has Wide Range
Jobs in the arts aren’t restricted to performance; a wide range of vocations encompass literary and visual arts as well. Your role may be as a highly trained choreographer, or it may be behind-the –scenes entry-level as a proofreader. Disability employment in the arts can mean anything from dance teacher, box office manager, sound technician or gallery assistant to office administrator, fundraiser, art supply clerk, stage electrician or entertainment lawyer.

Jobs in the Arts: Disability Support
NADC. Serving to promote the full inclusion of artists and audiences with disabilities into all areas of the arts community, the National Arts and Disability Center (NADC) is a phenomenal resource. Here you’ll find how to get a microloan to start your own small business, marketing and publicity, inclusive theatre companies, disability museum programs as well as products and services.

Need inspiration? Take a web tour of individual artists with disabilities or check out the online gallery that features disability art. There’s a live help desk for technical assistance. And make sure you take a look at their career resources for artists with disabilities, which includes:

•    Career descriptions by artistic discipline
•    Jobs and earnings
•    Assistive technology and accommodations for artists with disabilities
•    Searchable databases for arts employment
•    Self employment
•    Customized employment
•    Healthcare benefits and resources
•    Disability benefits
•    Legal resources

VSA arts. A nonprofit organization designed to create lifelong learning opportunities through the arts for people with disabilities, VSA arts features a variety of programs and internships. These take place throughout the U.S. and around the world. You can also join their online artists registry, which contains images and information on more than 1,500 artists with disabilities. Artists services helps to bring together the artists with patrons, collectors, and exhibition opportunities across the U.S.

Published in 2000 by VSA arts, the guide Putting Creativity to Work describes 110 careers in art or related fields, including biographies of 25 artists with disabilities and how they manage to succeed in living their dreams. Chapters cover job searching skills, financial aid, assistive technology, navigating the social services system, health insurance, and more. The guide is free in online format (pdf) only.

NEA. Technical support and advocacy are provided by the National Endowment for the Arts Office for Accessibility. Includes a section on careers in the arts for people with disabilities, and it contains an accessible media resource list. NEA also caters to older adults, veterans and people living in institutions.

Statewide Forums on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities
A collaboration of NADC, NEA, VSA arts and the Social Security Administration, the statewide forums address challenges and opportunities for people with disabilities to pursue careers in the arts. These provide an opportunity to participate in discussions, network with other artists with disabilities and leaders in arts-related fields, and increase your knowledge.

Jumpstart your disability employment search here.