VSA arts has expanded its "ArtLink" international cultural exchange program to pair 51 U.S.
classrooms with the International classrooms. Through this program, students of all abilities,
ages 7-14, create visual arts projects which are exchanged with a partner classroom
abroad. The "Artlink" exchange begins this month.

The program teaches students the importance of diversity and how other cultures live.
Students form relationships using art to share their personal experiences. This years theme
is "Culture Scope: Focusing in on My Life."

One U.S. classroom from every state and the District of Columbia is paired with a
participating classroom in the following countries: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Brazil,
Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Djibouti, Estonia, Ghana, Kenya, Kuwait, Malta,
Mongolia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar,
Russia, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Tajikistan,
and Zimbabwe. Students from Paulette Parente's second grade art class have been paired
with students from Armenia.

"What is significant about the 'Art Link' program is that children around the world learn about
each other and each other cultures, "said Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts. "In an
economy that is increasingly global, these experiences are important for future generations."

VSA arts' affiliates facilitate the recruitment of participating schools and coordinate teaching
artists to work directly with teachers and students. Teachers receive information about
partner classrooms and guidelines for incorporating "ArtLink" into their lesson plans. The
program integrates arts into education through a standard educational curriculum and can
be used by educators who teach a variety of subjects. The guide provides ways to create
and maintain an inclusive classroom for students with diverse learning needs and
backgrounds.

VSA arts will select one piece of artwork by a student with a disability from each classroom
for an online virtual exhibit and VSA arts Start with the Arts family Festival children's art exhibit
in Washington D.C., June 2007. For more information visit www.vsaarts.org.

VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean
Kennedy Smith to create a society where all peoples with disabilities learn through, participate
in and enjoy the arts. VSA arts provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and
the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities. VSA arts showcases the
accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for
people with disabilities. Each year millions of people participate in VSA arts programs through
a nationwide network of affiliates and in more than 60 countries around the world. VSA arts
in an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.