Ah, the feeling of pride and self-confidence that comes from acknowledging a job well done. Ah, the satisfaction of seizing the opportunity to express one's emotions and thoughts artistically and constructively.

No other exclamation sums up all these gratifications quite like "Ah!"

That's because AH!, also known as Arts for Humanity, provides people with developmental disabilities an outlet for positive self expression and creativity through visual and performing arts. While there are many organizations that provide important services to people with disabilities, Arts for Humanity reaches further to address the often overlooked need for self expression.

AH! Arts for Humanity is an arts outreach organization based in Santa Barbara, along California's Central Coast, which offers programs that foster creativity. AH!'s arts programs range from creative theater and expressive movement to mask making and poetry. These programs strive to empower, not only the people with developmental disabilities, but at-risk youth and the elderly, as well.

"I'm very aware that over the years the funding for anything beyond basic needs has been disappearing…almost to the point of nil for arts programs for social service agencies. So I started Arts for Humanity to help provide programs for these places because the arts, though it's not clothing and shelter, is a necessity for the soul," Karsen Lee Gould, founder and director of Arts for Humanity, explained.

Since 1997, AH! has offered arts programs in collaboration with local organizations including the Santa Barbara County Mental Health Department, Devereux Foundation, Tri-Counties Regional Center and the University of California, Santa Barbara. Artist facilitators conduct classes and workshops at these various agencies.

Disabled and Non-Disabled Performers Create Together
Through these ongoing therapeutic arts programs, many developmentally disabled participants are given the opportunity to perform in all-original theater/dance productions, in which about half the cast is made up of performers with disabilities working alongside professional actors and dancers.

"Frankly, for the people with developmental disabilities to be mingling with people who do not have their disabilities, who are trained performers and so on, it's just very good for their self-esteem," Gould said.

That very boost of self-confidence is what brings out the best in these unlikely performers and everyone participating in the show comes away with a better understanding of themselves and an appreciation for what makes them different.

Equal Exchanges and Benefits           
"What I find is that people really take care of each other, but they also learn from each other and enhance each other. I don't want to make it sound like just my performers with disabilities are enhanced by the other folks. It's vice versa because there's an authenticity and a freedom of imagination and playfulness and so on that performers with disabilities have, that my performers without disabilities really learn from and benefit from."

However, one significant benefit for disabled members is personal growth. Those who began the arts program as shy introverts evolve into highly sociable, confident individuals. That's when their candor and talent begin to shine through, according to Gould.

"It's like night and day. There's no comparison. Just their presence is larger. Their self-esteem is just lifted and enhanced. Their actual abilities are improved. They can dance better; they can sing better; they can socialize more strongly," she said.

The cultural diversity in the Santa Barbara area is reflected in the faces of Arts for Humanity participants. Many different social and cultural backgrounds are represented in these groups.

Latino Participation
"At any given center, a good percentage of our group will be Latino. That's just the way it is. We don't have to work too hard to build inclusion because it's part of our community," Gould added.

In fact, Arts for Humanity has a Spanish-speaking artist facilitator who opens the door to people with disabilities and limited English to participate in the workshops or theater productions.

Plans are underway for a show in the fall of 2006. Past productions have enjoyed great success and Gould looks forward to working with participants in a very personal way.

"It truly is an honor to be with people and their creativity and artistic expression and to be with them kind of at the soul level. If there's a disability, when you go that creative place, you tap into the healer within."

With over 25 years of experience in bringing the therapeutic benefits of the arts to the disabled and other members of the community, Gould understands that sometimes all that is needed to let the healing begin is a chance for individuals to express themselves.

"You don't know what talents lie within until you give people the opportunity to explore them."

Ah, the surprise of discovering that special gift within one's self! Ah, the pleasure of sharing that gift with others!

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