art smarts ~ information and inspiration for canadian artists with disabilities

Chapter 1. Introduction. What is this Book?

This is a book to help artists with disabilities.

In this book you will find out what it is like to be an artist who has a disability. You will find out about the problems you have to face, and ways you can find success. You will also meet other artists with disabilities, and find out what it is like for them to make art.

This is not a how-to book about one kind of art. You will not find out how to paint a certain kind of painting or sing a certain song.

At the end of the book are some addresses and phone numbers of people who can help you find some specific help if you want it.

Who is this book for?

This is a book for artists with disabilities. If you have a disability and you make art already, or you are just trying to get started making art, this book is for you.

What if there are words I don’t understand?

There might be words in this book that are new to you. Words that artists use can be confusing. Remember to ask someone to help you if you don’t understand.

Where should I start?

In this book, we recommend that you start with Chapter Two. After that, you can read the chapters in any order you want.

Chapter Two is a chapter of artist profiles, where you find out a bit about each artist in this book, in their own words. Read that chapter first. Once you have met the artists in Chapter Two, you will know who they are when they speak up in other chapters.

After Chapter Two, decide for yourself which chapters interest you the most. Once you have read the summary for a chapter, you can read the artists’ words in the long chapter.

Finally, remember to ask someone to help you if there are things you do not understand.

Who wrote this book?

This book was written by Geoff McMurchy and Sarah Leavitt, who both work at the Society for Disability Arts and Culture (known as S4DAC). Geoff is an artist with a disability, and Sarah is an able-bodied supporter of the disability arts movement.