Open Door Arts believes our shared cultural community is stronger when it welcomes, represents, and includes all people. We work to increase access, participation and representation in arts and culture by people with disabilities through 3 program areas:
COOL Schools
COOL Schools (Creative Outlook on Learning) partners teaching artists and classroom teachers to develop arts-integrated learning experiences that promote inclusion, support students’ academic, social/emotional and artistic growth, and deepen engagement through drama, dance, visual arts, music, and media arts.
Open Door Galleries
In Boston and Worcester, our galleries showcase the work of emerging and established artists with disabilities to advance career opportunities, increase visibility and representation, and serve as platforms for the community
to have important conversations about disability, identity, and culture.
Professional Development and Training
Through our training and professional development, we coach educators, administrators, artists and staff from cultural organizations to become more inclusive practitioners, create universally-designed programming, and develop policies and practices that encourage meaningful inclusion and participation by people with disabilities.