In August 2001, the Society for Disability Arts and Culture (S4DAC) presented the first festival of its kind in Canada. The kickstART! Celebration of Disability Arts and Culture highlighted the distinct perspectives and creativity of artists and performers with all types of disabilities from across Canada and around the globe. The video presents dynamic moments from 4 days of performances and participatory workshops exploring visual and literary arts, dance, theatre, music, video and humour.
The video recently won an award at Picture This...2004 International Disability Film Festival for best documentary 10-30 minutes by a filmmaker with a disability. Here's what the jury said: "This work provides a wonderful sampling of a 4 day event."... "...celebrates & affirms disability arts & culture"... "...comedy was great!"... "a true celebration, fun"... "I like seeing the art, the expression of ideas."... "It worked, it was enjoyable"... "...entertaining and educational at the same time!"... "lovely showpiece video with highlights of an extraordinarily interesting festival."...
For individuals ordering the tape for private use, please contact us at the S4DAC office (604) 685.3368 or email info@s4dac.org.
For organizations, school libraries or broadcast requests, please contact
our distributor VTape, 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 452,
Toronto, Ontario M5V 3A8 general inquiries info@vtape.org
Phone: 416.351.1317
Fax: 416.351.1509
www.vtape.org
Arts Smarts: A Handbook of Information and Inspiration for Canadian Artists with Disabilities is a 100-odd page manual that provides, to artists with disabilities especially, insight into the world of the arts.
The content comes from interviews with twelve artists with disabilities from across Canada. Feedback on Art Smarts has been fantastic so far. The Handbook is distributed free to artists with disabilities and is available for groups and other individuals for $10. Or you can read the manual on-line.
If you or anyone you know might find it useful, please contact us at the S4DAC office (604) 685.3368 or email info@s4dac.org. You can also download the pdf files to print on your home computer.
You can get your own Art Smarts handbook, packaged with our 13-minute video, kickstART!: A Celebration, for $35 plus $7 shipping. The Handbook is available in English or French, as a book, audiotape or CD.
cover shot of the art smarts Handbook and the kickstART! video

Still from the video:
the Down Beats sing "Too Many Chromosomes to Drive
a Car"