Access/VSA Emerging Young Artists 2023: “Interchange”

Access/VSA Interchange poster, featuring a multicolored looping design and colorful text that says Interchange across the center

Arts Access North Carolina is proud to present the Access/VSA Emerging Young Artists 2023: Interchange exhibition in the Arts Access Gallery.

Interchange is the 20th exhibition presented by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of the Access/VSA Emerging Young Artists Program, a Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Program. The result of an over 20-year collaboration with Volkswagen Group of America, this national art program and exhibition features fifteen artists with disabilities, ages 16 to 25, displaying their work in venues across the country where each artist’s individual talent, mode of expression, and view of the world is highlighted and valued. With this traveling exhibition, the program amplifies the work of artists with disabilities throughout the United States, positioning them to broaden our understanding of disability and the arts. 

This year’s theme, Interchange, invites artists to explore the intersection of their disability and artistic identities in a way that engages others in conversation. Director of Accessibility and VSA Betty Siegel notes “Interchange is not just a word or title for this exhibition, it is an expression of the way in which these young artists weave and intermingle the realities of their individual lived disability experiences with their bold artistic expression. Whether they paint, weld, draw or photograph these artists push the interchange of society’s ideas and perspectives on disability.” 

How does their art interact with their disability identity and the world? How are they initiating dialogue with others? What conversations does their art inspire for the viewer? What new connections and pathways will the viewer explore as a result of their interchange with the artwork? 

Upcoming Events

Access/VSA Interchange poster, featuring a multicolored looping design and colorful text that says Interchange across the center

Interchange Opening Reception

Celebrate the opening of the Interchange exhibition in the Arts Access Gallery on First Friday!

Friday, September 6 from 6pm to 9pm.

Live audio described tour at 7pm.

ASL provided.

Sarah Simmons, a white woman with long black hair smiling

Artist Talk with Sarah Simmons

Join us in the gallery for a Q&A style artist talk with featured artist Sarah Simmons.

Saturday, September 14 from 1pm to 2pm.

ASL provided.

Exhibition Details

  • Admission: Free
  • Dates: September 3 – September 26, 2024
  • Location: Arts Access Gallery, 444 S. Blount Street, Ste. 115B, Raleigh, NC 27601 (Across from Lincoln Theater)
  • Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 12 – 5 pm, first Fridays of the month 6 – 9 pm, and by appointment (groups, tours, etc.)
  • Contact: 919-833-9919, Gallery@ArtsAccessInc.org