06 Apr The Whole Person, Inc. Recently Received a $1,874 Grant from ArtsKC

The Whole Person, Inc. was recently awarded a $1,874 grant from ArtsKC to support the Expressions Art Show.  Expressions is a visual arts exhibition that allows people with disabilities to exhibit their art which is hosted by The Whole Person and held during the First Friday art walk each May.

The Whole Person will use the grant money to help as many artists as they can to prepare their work for the professional showing. Kansas City has a rich and vibrant arts community; however, too often people with disabilities do not take part because of physical, financial, or attitudinal barriers. This project helps TWP accomplish its mission by: 1) Advocating for people with disabilities by showing their artwork in a professional gallery at what is known by the community as a high quality art event. Artists have the opportunity to sell art for their own profit, encouraging independence. 2) Encouraging change in the community by providing an open event for the community to see the art of those with disabilities, thus improving their perception of the abilities of those with disabilities.

The mission of The Whole Person (TWP) is to “assist people with disabilities to live independently and encourage change within the community to expand opportunities for independent living.”  TWP’s goal is to promote empowerment, independence, self-reliance and integration into the community for people with disabilities.  TWP provides a full range of community-based services for people with disabilities and strives to help them identify and implement resources appropriate to their situation while equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to solve problems and achieve goals on their own.

In order to fulfill its mission, TWP facilitates the Expressions Art Show and other community events that help people with disabilities become visibly present within the community. Through these events as well as its community improvement projects, TWP hopes to improve media coverage of, and attitudes towards, people with disabilities. TWP has improved outcomes for people with disabilities who are increasingly able to leave institutional settings and be reintegrated into the community.