At Open Door Arts (ODA), a Seven Hills Foundation affiliate, we believe our shared cultural community is strengthened when it represents, includes, and engages all people.  That’s why we work annually with hundreds of students, teaching artists, educators and leaders of cultural organizations through innovative and inclusive programming, training, events, and exhibits designed to improve access, expand participation, challenge the status quo, and share practices to ensure equitable representation of people with disabilities in the arts. This work is made possible through generous community funding.

Mass Cultural Council Recognizes ODA

Open Door Arts has been named an UP Designated organization by the Mass Cultural Council (MCC). MCC awards this designation to organizations that are “leaders and innovators who serve to inspire other organizations by a demonstrated commitment to learn, take action, and embrace inclusivity as a core value and possess behaviors that reflect the aspirations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).” Thank you MCC, for recognizing ODA for these qualities and valuing this work in the Commonwealth.

Community Partners Support Open Door Arts Through Funding

Someone Else’s Child, Inc.

Open Door Arts is pleased to announce its grant award from Someone Else’s Child, Inc. The generous $20,000 award will support the COOL Schools program and bring inclusive arts education to hundreds of students in Boston Public Schools. Thank you to Someone Else’s Child for helping to engage youth in art-integrated learning experiences that support academic, social/emotional, and artistic growth.

Webster Five Foundation

Thank you the Webster Five Foundation for the recent grant of $1,000 for our Open Door Art Gallery at the Worcester Art Museum. Our programming provides weekly opportunities for adults with disabilities to tour the museum and create art in the studio space. Participants enjoy sequential art classes, guided museum visits, drop-in art-making opportunities, and opportunities for exhibitions. Open Door Arts is proud to partner with the Webster Five Foundation to increase access to art for people with disabilities in our community.

Deborah Munroe Noonan Memorial Fund

Open Door Arts is grateful for the generosity of the Deborah Munroe Noonan Memorial Fund for awarding a $15,000 grant to support its CareerCREATE program. The program is specifically designed to offer engaging and meaningful opportunities for high school students with disabilities to explore, experience, and prepare for creative careers. The curriculum is developed in partnership with artists, educators, and youth career transition specialists to promote Connection, Representation, Employability, Artistry, Transition Readiness, and Expression through accessible arts instruction and opportunities to meet working artists and visit arts and culture organizations. The Deborah Munroe Noonan Memorial Fund will significantly impact the lives of students in our community.