Primer on Disability Arts
Last month's Outsider Art Fair and a recent show at SFMOMA indicate rising inclusion and acknowledgement of disability artists.
More than a dozen organizations focused on artists with disabilities participated in the recent Outsider Art Fair in New York. Last year SFMOMA launched a groundbreaking exhibition, Creative Growth: The House That Art Built was part of the largest acquisition of works by disabled artists by any American museum.
This growing art movement, rooted in the Disability Rights movement is a fascinating modern form that you should seek wherever you are. Following is an index of dozens of disability arts organization in cities all over the country and below is a list of links detailing the history of the movement.
First, here’s a piece from Donald Mitchell than
picked up from Createive Growth at the Felix Art Fair last year.
List of Disability Arts Organizations in the United States
Able ARTS Work
Long Beach, CA
https://www.ableartswork.org
Able ARTS Work provides lifelong learning, community service, and vocational opportunities through the creative arts for people of all abilities and all ages. Their programs emphasize creative expression as a tool for personal growth, inclusion, and empowerment in a supportive environment.
Access Gallery
Denver, CO
https://www.accessgallery.org
Access Gallery is an inclusive nonprofit organization that provides economic and creative opportunities for people with disabilities. They engage the community through exhibitions, artist mentorship, and programs that ensure access to meaningful creative experiences.
Art Enables
Washington, DC
https://art-enables.org
Art Enables is a studio and gallery dedicated to creating professional opportunities for artists with disabilities. Through workshops, exhibitions, and art sales, Art Enables empowers artists to build creative careers and increase visibility in the art world.
Art Spark Texas
Austin, TX
https://www.artsparktx.org
Art Spark Texas fosters an inclusive community that values the creative contributions of individuals with disabilities. Through arts education, performance opportunities, and advocacy programs, the organization works to increase accessibility and recognition for disabled artists.
Artists First
Maplewood, MO
https://artistsfirststl.org
Artists First is an inclusive art studio that supports artists of all abilities. By offering adaptive tools, mentorship, and community engagement opportunities, Artists First empowers individuals to express themselves through art and connect with a broader audience.
ArtMix
Indianapolis, IN
https://www.artmixindiana.org
ArtMix transforms lives through art by providing people with disabilities opportunities to create, exhibit, and sell their work. Their programs include artist mentorship, professional development, and collaborative projects that foster social inclusion.
Arts of Life
Chicago & Glenview, IL
https://artsoflife.org
Arts of Life is an artist-led collective that provides professional development, studio space, and exhibition opportunities for artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program fosters artistic independence and community engagement.
Center for Creative Works
Philadelphia, PA (Wynnewood)
http://www.centerforcreativeworks.org
The Center for Creative Works (CCW) is a progressive art studio focused on professional development and representation of neurodivergent artists. CCW supports its artists to gain social capital through artistic practice and recognizes the value of sharing the unique human experience through creative contribution.
Claraty Arts Project
Santa Cruz, CA
http://www.claratyarts.com
Claraty Arts Project supports adults with developmental disabilities in building confidence and creative skills through art. The program encourages self-expression, social inclusion, and professional development for its artists.
Creative Citizen Studios
Pittsburgh, PA
https://www.citizenstudios.org
Creative Citizen Studios uses art to bring people of all abilities together. The program supports artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities in creating, exhibiting, and selling their work while connecting them with a larger community of artists.
Creative Clay
St. Petersburg, FL
https://www.creativeclay.org
Creative Clay mentors, teaches, and empowers individuals of all ages and abilities to become working artists who actively create, market, and sell their workfriendshipcircle.org
Creative Growth Art Center
Oakland, CA
https://creativegrowth.org
Creative Growth Art Center serves artists with disabilities by providing a professional studio environment for artistic development, exhibitions, and sales. Their program fosters independence, creative expression, and engagement with the broader art world.
Creativity Explored
San Francisco, CA
https://creativityexplored.org
Creativity Explored is a nonprofit art studio and gallery providing adults with developmental disabilities the resources to create, exhibit, and sell their work. The organization focuses on artistic development, social inclusion, and career opportunities.
ECF Art Centers (Exceptional Children’s Foundation)
Los Angeles, CA
https://artecf.org
Since 1968, ECF Art Centers have provided adults with developmental disabilities a place to explore their creativity and freedom of expression. Across five art studios in Los Angeles County, artists are encouraged to communicate their personal and creative vision.
Fountain House Gallery
New York, NY
Fountain House Gallery is the exhibition arm of Fountain House, supporting artists living with mental illness. The gallery returned to the Outsider Art Fair 2025 (Booth with a lineup of its member artists’ works. Participating artists included Judith Berman, Nancy Caton, Issa Ibrahim, Roger Jones, Ray Lopez, Nicolaus J. Myers, Maxx Reith, Angela Rogers, Susan Spangenberg, and Alyson Vega, among others.
Gateway Arts
Brookline, MA
https://www.gatewayarts.org
Gateway Arts is an internationally recognized art studio for adults with disabilities. The program offers professional support for artists in developing their skills, exhibiting their work, and becoming active participants in the creative economy.
Hozhoni Art Gallery & Studios
Flagstaff, AZ
http://www.hozhoniartists.org
The Hozhoni Art Studio and Gallery is a non-profit visual arts program where artists with developmental disabilities create, exhibit, and sell art while collaborating with other artists in the local community.
Imagine Art
Austin, TX
https://www.imagineart.net
Imagine Art leverages art and place to empower artists with disabilities to become creative catalysts for changing systems of day habilitation, long-term care, peer support, and affordable housing.
InsideOut Studio
Hamilton, OH
https://insideoutstudioart.com
InsideOut Studio provides opportunities for artists with disabilities to produce, market, and earn income from their art while gaining confidence in their abilities.
Interact Center for Visual & Performing Arts
St. Paul, MN
https://interactcenterarts.org/
Interact Center is a Minnesota-based organization fostering the creative talents of artists with disabilities, and 2025 marked Interact’s debut at the Outsider Art Fair. Their booth featured a vibrant mix of drawings, paintings, and ceramics by five selected Interact artists: Carl Clark, Janice Essick, Lucy Picasso, Scott Sorensen, and Matt Zimdars
LAND Studio & Gallery
Brooklyn, NY
https://landgallery.org
LAND Studio & Gallery is a unique nonprofit day-habilitation program that teaches life skills through the modality of art. Founded in 2005, it serves as both a studio and gallery for adult artists with developmental disabilities.
Little City (Center for the Arts)
Palatine, IL
https://littlecity.org/programs/program-example-8/
Little City’s Center for the Arts empowers children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to explore and expand their creative talents, offering a supportive environment that encourages artistic expression and personal growth.
Make Studio
Baltimore, MD
https://make-studio.org
Make Studio provides multi-modal arts programming to individuals with disabilities. The organization fosters inclusive creative spaces and supports artists in developing careers through exhibitions and mentorship.
NIAD Art Center
Richmond, CA
https://niadart.org
NIAD Art Center is a gallery and progressive art studio that supports adults with disabilities as they build sustainable artistic practices. Their program includes professional training, exhibitions, and opportunities for artists to earn income from their work.
North Pole Studio
Portland, OR
https://www.northpolestudio.org/
North Pole Studio is a Portland-based art studio that supports neurodiverse and disabled artists. 2025 marked North Pole Studio’s fourth year participating in the Outsider Art Fair. Their booth showcased new works by seven of the studio’s artists, including Davis Wohlford, Austin Brague, Adam Richards, Christopher Anders, Annie Rose Macer, Doug Wing, and James Enos
Open Door Art Studio & Gallery
Columbus, OH
https://www.cchsohio.org/opendoorartstudio
Open Door Art Studio & Gallery is a creative space dedicated to fostering personal and artistic growth. The program provides mentorship, professional development, and exhibition opportunities for artists with disabilities.
Project Onward
Chicago, IL
https://www.projectonward.org
Project Onward provides studio space, materials, and professional guidance to artists with mental and developmental disabilities. The program emphasizes artistic excellence and career development while fostering social inclusion.
Pure Vision Arts
New York, NY
https://purevisionarts.org
Pure Vision Arts (PVA) is Manhattan’s first specialized art studio and exhibition space for artists with autism and other developmental disabilities. The program provides artists with opportunities for self-expression, skill development, and career growth.
SAGE Studio
Austin, TX
https://www.sagestudioatx.com/
SAGE Studio is an Austin-based studio and gallery that supports artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities in creating contemporary art. One standout artist is Montrel Beverly, who recreates famous artworks using pipe cleaners. Beverly’s intricately crafted pipe-cleaner version of The Last Supper (2024) – complete with tiny details down to the apostles’ sandals and a hidden knife in Judas’s hand – captivated viewers.
Progressive Art Studio Collective
Detroit, MI
https://www.progressiveartstudiocollective.org/pages/home-page-1
Progressive Art Studio Collective (PASC) is a Detroit-based coalition of progressive art studios dedicated to artists with developmental disabilities and mental health differences. At Outsider Art Fair 2025, they showcased a selection of pieces from Detroit artists in the collective’s program, giving fairgoers a glimpse into the rich diversity of creativity emerging from PASC’s studios.
ArTech Collective
Bronx, NY
https://artechcollective.org/
Tech Collective is an inclusive art program in New York (Bronx) operated by AHRC NYC, providing studio space and professional opportunities for artists with disabilities. At the 2025 Outsider Art Fair, ArTech’s artists were featured via Shelter Gallery’s presentation. This partnership brought works by ArTech creators into the Outsider Art Fair, furthering the collective’s goal of elevating neurodiverse artists in the contemporary art world. Through paintings, drawings, and digital art (for example, ArTech artist Rayed Mohamed’s dynamic illustrations have garnered attention), the ArTech Collective demonstrated the creative talent flourishing in its community.
Sandal Gap Studio
Houston, TX
https://sandalgapstudio.org
Sandal Gap Studio’s mission is to fill the gap of knowledge and understanding between society and individuals with disabilities, breaking down these barriers through art and building inclusive ventures so that the gap is filled with beauty, acceptance, and understanding.
Soul Studio (Friendship Circle of Michigan)
West Bloomfield, MI
https://www.friendshipcircle.org/locations/soul_studio
Soul Studio is a professional art studio program serving adults with disabilities in the Detroit area. The program empowers these artists to create and exhibit their work as included, contributing members of the community.
Starlight Studio & Art Gallery
Buffalo, NY
https://www.starlightstudio.org
Starlight Studio & Art Gallery is a cooperative environment that supports adults with disabilities in their artistic development through professional guidance, on-site and off-site exhibitions, and opportunities for art sales, helping artists become advocates and integrated community members.
Studio By The Tracks
Irondale, AL
https://studiobythetracks.org
Studio By The Tracks is a nonprofit art studio offering free art classes and career development for artists on the autism spectrum. The organization provides a supportive community that fosters creative expression and self-sufficiency.
The Canvas
Juneau, AK
https://www.canvasarts.org
The Canvas’s mission is to promote an inclusive arts community that engages people of all ages and abilities. It provides opportunities for all members of the Juneau community to create art at all skill levels and strives to involve people with disabilities in all aspects of programming.
The Enrichment Center
Winston-Salem, NC
https://www.enrichmentarc.org
The Enrichment Center helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities reach their full potential and achieve their best life through the arts. Through art classes, life skills training, community activities and job placement, individuals build on their abilities and connect to the broader community.
Visionaries and Voices
Cincinnati, OH
https://www.visionariesandvoices.com
Visionaries and Voices is an inclusive arts organization providing creative, cultural, and professional opportunities for artists with disabilities. The program promotes self-expression, social integration, and professional development.
Resources on the history of disability arts
Disability Rights Movement & Early Artistic Expression
Pelka, Fred (2012). "What We Have Done: An Oral History of the Disability Rights Movement." University of Massachusetts Press.
Barnes, Colin (1991). "Disabled People in Britain and Discrimination." Hurst & Co.
National Council on Disability (NCD): https://ncd.gov: Reports on the history of disability activism and legislation.
1980s: Establishing Disability Arts as a Distinct Movement
Allan Sutherland (1981). "Disabled We Stand." Souvenir Press.
Shape Arts (UK): https://www.shapearts.org.uk: UK-based disability arts organization supporting disabled creatives.
Disability Arts in London (DAIL) Archive: Available at the British Library.
Very Special Arts (VSA): https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/vsa – International organization promoting disability arts.
1990s: Increased Representation & the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990): https://www.ada.gov: Official government site with legislative history.
Sandahl, Carrie (2001). "The Tyranny of Neutral: Disability in Performance." The Drama Review, Vol. 45.
National Disability Theatre: https://www.nationaldisabilitytheatre.org: Advancing professional theater by disabled artists.
AXIS Dance Company: https://axisdance.org: Pioneering physically integrated dance performances.
2000s–Present: Mainstream Recognition & Intersectionality
Kafer, Alison (2013). "Feminist, Queer, Crip." Indiana University Press.
Ladau, Emily (2021). "Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally." Ten Speed Press.
Disability Visibility Project (by Alice Wong): https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com: A platform amplifying disabled voices in media and the arts.
Creative Growth Art Center: https://creativegrowth.org – One of the first and largest U.S.-based disability arts organizations.
Crip Camp (Netflix, 2020): Documentary on the impact of disability activism on the arts and civil rights.