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A man wearing glasses and a green shirt sits at a table in an art classroom, holding up a colorful drawing of a whimsical, rainbow-striped animal with multiple legs and a curly tail. Another person in a plaid shirt sits in the background, and a person wearing a denim apron stands nearby. Art supplies and shelves filled with colorful paper are visible behind them.

How can we better support artists with disabilities in sharing their unique voices and creative talents with the world? Photo credit: PBS NewsHour

Artists with Disabilities Let Their Creativity Soar at this Utah Studio

May 6, 2025

Artists with Disabilities Let Their Creativity Soar at this Utah Studio

Ask students: Where is the Jump the Moon art studio located? How does Bingham help artists with physical disabilities create art in his studio?

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Artists with different physical and developmental abilities sometimes have to be creative not just with the content of their art, but also with how they make it. One studio in Utah is trying to do just that, customizing tools for each individual’s unique needs and talents. Ali Rogin reports for our ongoing look at the intersection of health and arts, and our arts and culture coverage, CANVAS.

View the transcript of this story. News alternative: Check out recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

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Discussion Questions

  1. Who is Michael Bingham?
  2. Where is the Jump the Moon art studio located?
  3. How does Bingham help artists with physical disabilities create art in his studio?
  4. What is Bingham's strategy for motivating someone to try art?
  5. Why did Bingham decide to start Jump the Moon?

Focus Questions

  1. Do you think it's important for people with disabilities to have a dedicated space to create art? Explain your thoughts.
  2. Can you think of public spaces that are accessible for artists with disabilities? How can existing spaces be made more inclusive for all artists?
  3. Media literacy: Are there any spaces in your community like Jump the Moon? How can you find out?

Extension Activity

Watch the video below to learn about Vinfen's Gateway Arts, an art studio in Massachusetts that provides a space for artists with disabilities to work and showcase their art.

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Why do you think art made by people with disabilities has historically been excluded from art galleries and museums?

Watch the video below to learn about the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education in Boston and how they bring music into the lives of people with disabilities.

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Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.

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