Contact Us

P (515) 281-5839
E vsai@iowa.gov

Address:
Grimes State Office Building
400 E. 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319

Creating a society where people with disabilities can learn
through, participate in, and enjoy the arts.

News:

VSA Iowa Hosted Classes Cancelled

With the exception of our New Visions Dance classes, all VSA Iowa hosted classes taking place at Brody Middle School (Stained Glass, Story Telling and Figure Drawing) have been cancelled due to low registration. If you have any questions please email info@vsaiowa.org or call 515-281-5839.

Volunteer Opportunities Available

We have several opportunities open now for volunteers! Sign up to volunteer through our facebook page by clicking this link and find our easy sign up on the left sidebar beneath our logo by clicking on "Volunteer with VSA Iowa". Read about all of our openings and sign up to help out online, or email info@vsaiowa.org and ask for a digital version of our opportunity listing and easy-to-fill-out sign up form.

 

VSA Name Change

On June 1, VSA arts of Iowa adopted the new name VSA Iowa in a sweeping change recently initiated by our national office. Formed in 1974, 18 years before the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, VSA was originally known as National Committee - Arts for the Handicapped. The organization was and continues to be a pioneer in the field of arts and disability.
VSA has played a significant role over the years in changing society’s attitudes toward people with disabilities. With that change, the organization has regularly looked at its own identity to ensure it is consistent with current attitudes and language used by the disability community.
The Evolution of the VSA name:

1974: National Committee - Arts for the Handicapped

1985: Very Special Arts

1999: VSA arts

2009: VSA

VSA was long known as Very Special Arts. Words such as ‘special’ and ‘handicapped’ do not reflect current language trends in the United States and many other countries. We are now VSA Iowa - The State Organization on Arts and Disability. We encourage everyone to embrace our new identity.