FAQ

What Defines a Progressive Art Studio (PAS)?

Progressive Art Studios/Supported Art Studios are organizations working with artists with disabilities in a professional art studio environment. These studios have an educational ethos developed for adults with disabilities and are united by a goal to support them to build and maintain careers in contemporary art. Progressive Art Studios share some basic standards and methodologies:

  1. A professional art career-driven program - modeled on a professional artist’s studio practice 
  2. Support individual artistic independence - hands-off approach led by each participant’s unique way of working/making 
  3. Encourage the development of a consistent professional practice for each artist and a cohesive body of artwork
  4. Participant-led/driven studios - artist participants are involved in the structure, development, and decision-making
  5. Staffed primarily by peer art professionals, exhibiting artists, curators, designers, etc.. who model professional practice.
  6. Maintain and support active exhibition programming
  7. Facilitate art sales, with income split between artist and studio program

What is the Progressive Art Studio Alliance (PASA)?

The Progressive Art Studio Alliance is an independent 501c3 membership-based organization led by a board of directors and managers active in several progressive art studios across the country. 

PASA advocates for resources and policies that improve the outcomes of our member programs across the United States, and globally. As the only organization focused on Progressive Art Studios, the Alliance works to provide shared opportunities for advocacy, collaboration, education, research, and public policy. 

What are the Goals of the Alliance?

We aim for financial stability for artists with disabilities by advocating at a governmental level for a reduced impact on their SSI and other benefits from non-wage-based income.  

We aim to ensure continued support for PAS programs and for changes to state Medicaid laws through education and advocacy to create a code for disability art studio programs. And further to advocate for art practice as a job. 

We aim to Advance research in the Field of Progressive Art Studios by identifying research opportunities, sharing resources, and supporting innovative new projects and programs.

We aim to Encourage Education and Innovation through empowering organizations, participants, and staff to improve their education through collective learning, mentorship, workshops, professional development, and resources.