Access/VSA EZ Program

The Access/VSA EZ Program is administered by the Office of Accessibility and VSA, a Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Program at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This initiative is designed to expand access to high-quality arts education for students with disabilities across the United States. The program reflects the Kennedy Center’s broader mission to promote inclusion and participation in the arts by ensuring that students with disabilities have equitable opportunities to engage in meaningful artistic experiences in school and community settings. The primary purpose of the Access/VSA EZ Program is to fund organizations that can implement arts-based educational experiences for students with disabilities from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, including individuals up to age 22 receiving services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Funded programs may include one-time or multiple events such as workshops, festivals, performances, exhibits, or other arts-based activities spanning disciplines such as visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, and media arts. These programs are expected to support skill development in arts learning, academic growth, and social-emotional learning. Funding is provided through fixed-price contracts of up to 7000 dollars per award. The contract period runs for up to twelve months, beginning October 1 and ending September 30 of the following year, with all program activities required to conclude by August 31 to allow time for final reporting. Payments are distributed in two installments, with 60 percent provided after contract execution and 40 percent issued upon submission and approval of a final report and invoice. The program includes restrictions on allowable costs, excluding expenses such as food, equipment, space rental, performances, and other production-related costs, while permitting consumable art supplies and necessary program-related expenses. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations operating within the United States that have at least three years of experience delivering arts education programs and demonstrated experience working with students with disabilities. Applicants must have qualified personnel, including at least one individual with formal special education credentials, and must demonstrate the capacity to recruit participants and deliver accessible programming. For-profit entities, individuals, and non-U.S. organizations are not eligible. Applicants may submit proposals to a maximum of two Access/VSA opportunities but may only receive one contract award. Applications must be submitted online through the Kennedy Center’s designated application portal. The submission requires detailed organizational information, program descriptions, budget justifications, participant projections, and alignment with national arts standards. Proposals are evaluated based on organizational strength, program quality, alignment with program objectives, and the ability to effectively serve students with disabilities. Additional consideration is given to geographic diversity to support national reach. The application deadline for this funding cycle is June 5, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applicants may optionally participate in a webinar held on May 14, 2026, to receive guidance on the application process. Selected applicants will be notified by September 11, 2026. The program operates on an annual cycle, and successful applicants must complete all program activities within the designated contract term and submit a comprehensive final report by early September of the following year. For questions or additional information, applicants may contact the program manager via email or phone as provided in the solicitation. The program emphasizes accessibility, compliance with legal requirements, and adherence to educational standards, ensuring that funded projects deliver inclusive, high-quality arts experiences to students with disabilities nationwide.

Ensure strong alignment with arts education standards and clearly defined learning outcomes; demonstrate experience with students with disabilities and include qualified special education personnel; provide a detailed and compliant budget avoiding unallowable costs