OUR MISSION

The Global Art Initiative's mission is to break the poverty cycle for disabled artists in Third World Countries. We are a non-profit focused on education and the sale of original artwork to benefit handicapped artists globally. We engage children and adults in art projects geared to developing an understanding of disability and the awareness that artistic ability is not limited by a disability.  Our hope is that through their experience with the Global Art Initiative, participants will take compassionate action, becoming donors in the larger shared humanitarian project.

Crutches & Colors Curriculum Introduced

The Global Art Initiative, Burnet, TX - december 1, 2009

The Global Art Initiative is proud to introduce a new student curriculum entitled Crutches & Colors. This five-day educational program was designed by Adaptive Art Instructor Theresa Mosely.

The curriculum introduces the following disabilities to students:

  • Hemiplegia
  • Paraplegia
  • Quadraplegia
  • Visual and Hearing Impairment
  • Amputation
Painted crutch

Basic art instruction is provided during each day's activities, and the students use their new art knowledge to paint one side of the aluminum crutches provided. The painted crutches will then be taken to underdeveloped countries, including Haiti and nations of Africa and Europe, where children of those countries will then paint the other side of the crutches and will deliver them to disabled people in their local communities.

Students are also given the opportunity to feel what it's like to be physically disabled through disability simulations.

The purpose of the curriculum is to help make young people aware that people with physical disabilities have talents and dreams like themselves and are no less valuable to society than they are.

We are currently seeking educators to pilot this course. It can be used in the elementary, middle and secondary levels.

The Global Art Initiative gives special thanks to Ella Snodgrass for piloting the Day 1 curriculum at Lorena Elementary School in Lorena, Texas. Click here for the story and photos.