“I love what you are doing. You have leveled the playing field in creativity by the processes you use.” That was the reaction of Jane Chu, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, who visited Matheny’s Arts Access Program on July 25th, along with U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance and Nick Paleologos, chair of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Rep. Lance and the NEA’s Jane Chu look at a script based on the Mortal Kombat video game being written by Arts Access artist Chris Saglimbene, right.
From left, Eileen Murray, Nick Paleologos, Jane Chu, Rep. Leonard Lance, and Kendell R. Sprott, MD, JD, Matheny president and CEO.
Eileen Murray, director of Arts Access, explained the art facilitation method, emphasizing that, “every creative choice is in the hands of the artists. The facilitators never interject their personal style.” Then, Chu, Lance, and Paleologos visited with several artists and observed them at work with their facilitators. Arts Access is a unique fine arts program enabling individuals with disabilities to fully express themselves in the creative arts. Lance, who is co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus, concluded that, “We look to Matheny to lead the way. Keep up your fine work.”
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