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 invite actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities to collaborate with theater professionals and trained volunteer mentors to develop and present original musical theatre productions. Participants can also take theatre-based classes to boost self-confidence and strengthen communications and social skills. And the arts can heal, just as they can educate and entertain, so ArtStream brings highly-trained artists into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center: wounded service members, their families, and caregivers channel pain and trauma into creative work, while arts-based activities build resilience and morale among hospital personnel. 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. Your contribution makes it happen.

Headquarters: MD-Montgomery County

Where They Operate: MD-Montgomery County; MD-Prince George's County; VA-Arlington County; VA-Fairfax County; Operating out of Silver Spring, MD, ArtStream provides programming for communities traditionally underserved by the arts throughout Montgomery County and the wider Washington, DC metropolitan region, as well as the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina.

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 Forbush School at Prince George's County; The Forbush School at Oakmont Upper; The Frost School; Ivymount School; The Katherine Thomas School; George Mason University - Mason LIFE Program; ArtStream currently works with 17 community partners, including hospitals, schools, provider agencies for persons with disabilities, and after-school care programs.


  • Number of individuals with disabilities served annually:   750
  • Number of wounded military personnel and their families served annually:   850
  • Number of audience members reached annually:   2,200

Awards & Recognition

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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