Artists with disabilities advocate through art

Adult literacy

San Fernando Valley

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Adults with developmental disabilities face communications challenges, such as language barriers, illiteracy, and misunderstanding nonverbal cues. Left unaddressed, this hinders employment and community involvement for the 128,000 L.A. County adults with developmental disabilities. However, some have found their voices through creating and sharing professional artwork.
The creative economy is shifting. New Media makes up 29% of California’s Creative Economy (Otis College 2024). Arts “remains an indispensable employer, is a source of well-paying jobs, and will continue as a hub for innovation and growth in the state’s economy” (ibid). Traditional fine arts makes up only 9% of jobs; Artists need to expand their skillsets for today’s job market.
Other organizations serve narrow art career paths (e.g., movie credits, acting). Opportunities for exploration are limited. The 160 artists in Tierra’s studios continually express their desire to develop their careers through more diverse avenues.

It only takes one generation being denied the experience of having people with disabilities as a meaningful part of their lives, for our society to slip back to segregation and institutionalization. Building outlets for artists with disabilities - to make themselves known and advocate for themselves - is crucial for building equitable futures.
At Tierra’s studios, adults with disabilities find their voice through advocacy and art. The project builds on the interests of Tierra artists, a few of whom have used Tierra’s limited digital art tools to expand their art careers, develop their skills, and earn income. However, these artists are limited to the existing art studios.
This project will renovate an outdated and underutilized computer lab, into a multimedia art lab that will allow exploration of different types of artwork, so that artists can express and advocate for themselves in new ways. As artists explore, this model lets Tierra invest its resources along with their interests, rather than moving ahead of them and further limiting their artistic growth.
Through scheduled workshops and lab times, artists will have the tools and support to explore a variety of art practices. Equipment can be checked out for use off-site (such as for photography and filming), or be used in the room for video and photo editing, songwriting, recording, 3D printing, and the basics of animation and editing.

This project shifts the narrative for people with disabilities from being service recipients, to contributing to the cultural vibrancy of the community: Artists will explore new career opportunities; They will market their work, rather than being limited to staff connections; They will be seen for their artwork, rather than solely for their disability.
Artists will pursue the values demonstrated in their recent exhibits, such as “Taking Up Space”: “Tierra is shaping the landscape of diversity and equity in the commercial art world at large, museums and arts institutions, and through collaborations with production companies, brands and more . . . these artists know their lives and creativity contribute to the greater good.” This visibility brings hope to young adults with developmental disabilities, who otherwise may not have pursued a creative career.
As artists discover new interests, new studios and workspaces can open on Tierra’s campus and ultimately throughout the community.