International Center on Deafness and the Arts

Mission Statement

The mission of ICODA is to provide educational training and appreciation in the Arts to deaf and hard of hearing children and adults through their participation and observation of high quality professional artistic endeavors.The Vision of ICODA is to provide the highest quality, most comprehensive international center of the arts for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the world to include but not be limited to:I. THEATER A. A training center providing instruction for youth and adults in drama, dance, costuming, makeup, sound and lighting technicians, stage management and direction. B. A training and performance center which is completely accessible to performers, stage crew and audience which will house the various programs and events sponsored by the Theater branch of ICODA. C. CenterLight professional theater company, which performs popular and innovative works in a unique style of layered sign language and voice, accessible to audiences with varying levels of hearing ability. This program will reach theater goers in the Midwest and beyond through cooperative efforts and exchange programs with other deaf theater companies both nationally and internationally. D. Programs devoted specifically to training and education of children and adolescents, aimed to develop theatrical skills as well as teach participants to appreciate the differences of their peers. E. The Traveling Hands dance troupe, historically a social and creative outlet for deaf children, to continue to reach these children, enrich their skills and confidence but also to increase awareness of the talents and abilities of such children in the hearing community. F. The Story and Sign Touring Theatre troupe as an outreach program to schools and community groups to education audiences about theatre, art, deaf culture and acceptance. In addition to touring, Story and Sign will develop a series of educational video tapes and television programs to be distributed throughout the nation and syndicated on broadcast media.II. INTERNATIONAL ART FESTIVAL A. An international competition for deaf and hard of hearing students in visual arts, performing arts and creative writing. B. An ongoing educational component for teachers to assist them in developing and incorporating art programs into the schools. C. An annual art festival bringing talented children from all over the world to participate in workshops led by artists, writers and performers who are deaf and hard of hearing and to experience a showcase of the children's artistic endeavors.III. CABLE TELEVISION STATION A. The development of an in-house cable television station and production studio which utilizes state of the art technology to benefit deaf audiences and crew. IV. A THERAPEUTIC ART DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM A. To develop techniques and provide training for the application of the arts to mental health treatment of deaf and hard of hearing individuals