Few theatres provide challenging arts opportunities for adults with disabilities and fewer still encourage them to be artists as well as audience members. ArtStream's six Inclusive Theatre Companies and four Cabaret Companies invite actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities - including Autism - to collaborate with theatre professionals and trained volunteer mentors to build skills while developing and presenting original musical theatre productions. Participants can also take theatre-based classes to boost self-confidence and strengthen communications. Super Social Saturday workshops focus on a specific theme to create a welcoming environment for participants to learn how to socialize, let loose, and have fun. And the arts can heal, just as they can educate and entertain. Partnerships with schools, community organizations, and others ensure that adults and children can access the arts in a way that is meaningful, powerful, and healing.

Headquarters: MD-Montgomery County

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; MD-Montgomery County; MD-Prince George's County; MD-Howard County; VA-Arlington County; VA-Fairfax County; Internationally; Operating out of Chevy Chase, MD, ArtStream provides programming for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) -including autism - throughout the Greater Washington DC metropolitan region. ; Indonesia, UK

Age Groups Served: Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-49); Seniors (50+)

Population(s) Served: Individuals with Disabilities

Schools They Work In: The Sheppard Pratt School - Gaithersburg; The Forbush School at Upper Oakmont; The Katherine Thomas School at The Treatment and Learning Centers (TLC); The Mason LIFE Program at George Mason University; St. Mary's County Public Schools; The Learning Community International (TLCI) School


  • Number of people with disabilities served annually:   1200
  • Number of hours of volunteer work we record annually:   4494
  • Classes for people with disabilities offered annually:   800
  • Original musical theatre performances by people with disabilities offered annually:   40
  • Number of adults with disabilities in classes and performing companies:   415

Awards & Recognition

Down Syndrom Affiliates in Action - Best Teen/Adult Program (received in partnership with Down Syndrome Network Montgomery County)

The Ethan Saylor Memorial Film Festival - Outstanding Technical Support

The Arc Montgomery County - Community Inclusion Award

Montgomery County Executive's Awards for Excellence in the Arts & Humanities - Community Leader Award, Executive Director Patricia Woolsey

Press

Budget (FY2016)

  • $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • The current budget for ArtStream is: $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

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