Innovator Award

The Arts Access Program at Matheny, was completely shut down to protect the nation’s most vulnerable population during this past year. They knew, however, that the isolation and lack of opportunity to express would be so detrimental to the community. The Arts Access Program at Matheny sprung into action and figured out how to turn their facilitation process, traditionally done in-person and on a 1:1 basis, into a completely virtual interactive experience.

Their team found ways to make painting and dance accessible via Zoom, sharing screens to show charts, dancing through their kitchens and bringing smiles one Zoom meeting at a time. This initiative came with a host of complications including lack of internet access and suitable technology, lack of trained staff to establish connections between the client and facilitator and communication challenges for their non-verbal and limited verbal artists.

Through trial and error, they have not only reinstated most of their community clients again, but have also added new artists to their Arts family. The Arts Access Program at Matheny is so proud to have kept to their mission to bring the arts to their most vulnerable as they have needed it most during this time.