Matheny Arts Access Program
Life-size pieces of art, cutting-edge choreography, dramatic works, and imaginative writings have all been created by individuals with disabilities at Arts Access, a pioneering multi-disciplinary arts program established in November of 1993. The first of its kind, the model project has been the blueprint that allows disabled adults to make art on their own terms and laid the groundwork for other programs to follow.
The brainchild of former Matheny Medical Director, Dr. Gabor Barabas, and his wife, Suzanne, Arts Access started as a pilot program with a $35,000 grant from the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation. With its unique art development and communication systems, the pioneering experiment broke the mold of what had previously been done with art programs for people with disabilities. The Robert Schonhorn Arts Center, where the programs take place, was built in 2000.
Working outside of their perceived limitations, individuals with physical and cognitive developmental disabilities began painting works honed in the tradition of abstract expressionism, futurism, primitive expressionism, and more. Modern and ballet dances featuring wheelchair users and able-bodied dancers, imaginative creative writings, and amusing and dramatic stage plays soon followed.
Moved by what they saw, the community offered positive and encouraging responses during the program’s early years. Those accolades continue today. Since Arts Access’ inception, clients have sold many pieces of art and performed their works in front of thousands of patrons, family members, and friends.
Over time, it had become evident that the Arts Access program is filling a void. Several of the clients’ artwork have been exhibited in galleries at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, Bristol-Myers Squibb, ABC World Headquarters, the Newark Museum, and Sotheby’s NYC. Performances have been held at the NJ State Museum. Arts Access has also been featured in a number of media outlets including CBS Evening News.
Matheny’s Arts Access Program empowers individuals with disabilities to create art without boundaries. Through the use of innovative systems and techniques, clients can take part in the visual, performing, and literary arts. Regardless of their disability, clients are provided with the tools and materials needed to produce complete pieces of work.
On a daily basis, Arts Access fosters an environment of artistic creativity among the participating clients. The program improves the quality of life for the clients and those around them. In addition, Arts Access programming aids in changing the perception about the capabilities and talents of people with developmental disabilities.
Our program is based on four governing principles: Freedom of Choice, Artists Assisting Artists, Neutrality, and No Preconceptions. Each of these principles is carefully adhered to by our facilitators to ensure that the artist’s work is pure and created without influence.
While freedom of choice is often limited in other areas of their lives, it is encouraged at Arts Access. Clients choose everything from the paint color and brush stroke, to dance movement and theatrical staging, to each written word. Our program makes this possible by bringing clients together with professional artist facilitators. The facilitators are working professionals in their area of expertise who have been trained to be the arms and legs of the disabled clients. They consciously maintain a sense of neutrality throughout the creative process, which demands a constant trust and respect between the two artists. The facilitator must never have preconceptions or assume what the artist can or cannot do. The facilitator role provides a process for the artists to create works that are purely their own and utilize fine art as a means of self-expression.