Artsify exists to create a joyful, nurturing foundation for a community of developmentally disabled individuals through engagement with art, music, media and other creative outlets.
Artsify is an agency certified under Medicaid by the Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Disability Services to provide Direct Services Professional (“DSP”) services to intellectually or developmentally disabled adults with an interest in the arts. Artsify operates in the greater Portland area, initially focusing on clients within Multnomah County.
For many I/DD adults aiming to live independently with community supports, art or music is at the core of their sense of self. Creating art – from drawing to music, animation to dance, and everything else – assists these individuals in daily living. Enjoying art and, for some, sharing it with others is part of the way they make sense of the world and people around them.
In seeking ideal service providers who understand, value and will integrate art and creative thinking into daily activities and learning opportunities, adult I/DD clients don’t currently have easily navigated pathways to achieve a simpatico match. Artsify will fill that identified need.
The founders of Artsify have personal direct experience with this identified unmet need. Their adult children are artists who have benefited from supportive services through Multnomah County’s DD Services Division for several years, and continue to receive services. They have experienced some fabulous supports, and have supported their children through difficult times when recruiting a well-matched service provider was frustrating or unsuccessful. Based on their own children’s journey, they have established a broad network of DD adults, supportive family members, professionals, artists, education experts, advocates and allies. They have also participated in professionally conducted research about helpful approaches and environments to supporting artists/creative minds.