About Latitude Artist Community

Latitude Artist Community serves all people - with an emphasis on those thought by some to have a disability - by creating meaningful, inclusive community interactions which allow participating artists to contribute culturally and politically to the life of their community.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Kentucky Arts Council (Latitude Bio, Governor's Awards in the Arts)

Latitude video
Latitude Artist Community
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Latitude Artist Community in Lexington, Ky., creates some of the most innovative, elegant and daring social and creative supports of any program of its kind in the country. Founded in 2001 by Lexington residents Bruce Burris and Crystal Bader-Webster, Latitude serves all people, with an emphasis on artists considered to have disabilities by laying the groundwork for inclusive community interactions which allow participating artists to contribute culturally politically, and significantly to the life of their city.
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From its conception to its continued dedication to groundbreaking work, every part of Latitude was and is conceived with a purpose to serve the community. Even the agency’s location – it was designed to operate in downtown Lexington – allows it to be easily accessible and a vital part of day-to-day cultural/social opportunities.
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One of Latitude’s most significant advocacy accomplishments was the creation 7 years ago of Project Easy Access Lexington, an advocacy organization which focuses its efforts on accessibility education forums, rallies and related events including the annual “Citizen Advocate of the Year Award”. Most significantly (PEAL) initiated the formation of Lexington Fayette Urban County Government’s Mayor’s Commission for Citizens with Disabilities.
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While Latitude supports artists and our community through a variety of ventures, it remains best known for supporting and promoting the work of its participating artists who have exhibited art work in well over 100 exhibitions in the past 12 years- from Lexington and New York to London and Berlin and most recently this past summer, in Russia.
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Latitude has collaborated with thousands of individuals and numerous organizations during its 12-year history. Participating Latitude artists are regarded and recognized as contributing citizen’s first and foremost – without emphasis being placed on the artist as a person with a disability. The support Latitude provides to its artists has created a progressive and innovative mission – one which values education and the necessity of intellectual risk-taking. 
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As an agency, Latitude strives to create new and unique initiatives to strengthen Lexington’s arts community. Its new program, I.D.eaWorks, provides financial backing to local artists, particularly those who are involved with avant-garde, challenging, or non-traditional media and ideas, in the development and commission of a new piece of work. Uniquely, Latitude places much emphasis on performance art and ritual(s) which challenge both creator and audience alike.
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In spring 2012, Latitude introduced and sponsored an important conference, “Undressing Normal, An Un Conference on Sexuality for those of us DisLabled,” which addressed issues related to sexuality and gender within the disabled community. The event was the first of its kind Kentucky, and exemplifies the reason that Latitude exists.
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Latitude Artist Community’s unwavering dedication to its community and the people it serves are best expressed by words from Burris, one of the organization’s founders.
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“The lives for many of us with disabilities are unreasonably difficult, and there are few occasions to function as a fully realized human – with a creative life, a sexual life, a life of possibility,” he says. “The arts help in this capacity, allowing us to – at the very least – share intimate potential without negative consequences and with the possibility that sharing can lead to change.”