Requests for Contract Proposals

The Office of Accessibility and VSA seeks arts, education, and cultural organizations to provide accessible, arts-based education experiences to students with disabilities, pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Organizations are invited to submit proposals to implement Access/VSA Programs.

Take a look at the Requests for Proposals (RFPs) below and see if your work aligns with Access/VSA Program goals and if you have the capacity to execute a Access/VSA Program in your community, schools, museums, or performing arts venues. Each RFP has program specific details and a link to the online proposal form. The Access/VSA Programs are:

• Access/VSA Arts Connect All — Workshop/Residency Program
• Access/VSA Media Arts Discovery Program
• Access/VSA Theater Discovery Program
• Access/VSA Visual Arts Discovery Program
• Access/VSA Museum Access for Kids Program
• Access/VSA Performing Arts Access for Kids Program
• Access/VSA EZ Program

These are Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Programs.

Eligible and qualified organizations are required to submit contract proposals online to be considered for a program site. Eligible organization may submit proposals to a maximum of 2 (two) different 2026-2027 Access/VSA Requests of Contract Proposals, but the Center will issue a contract offer for no more than 1 (one) proposal per eligible organization.

Proposal Submission Deadline: June 5, 2026 at 11:59 pm (Eastern Daylight Time)

Notification: Selected contract recipients will be notified by September 11, 2026

Contract Term: October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027

Access/VSA Creative Career Internship Program

Request for Contract Proposals

The Office of Accessibility and VSA seeks contractors to provide Access/VSA Creative Career Internship Program career development opportunities in creative industries, arts management or administration, design, production, or technical theatre for individuals with disabilities, ages 21-30. The program provides community-based internships that are designed to have immediate competitive integrated employment outcomes and lead to ongoing employment in a creative career. Program participants receive instruction and hands-on employment in which they develop critical 21st century business skills and knowledge needed for success in the creative career workforce, acquire real world experience working with actual employers, and have the opportunity to interact with peers and professionals in an employment setting.

Organizations and companies are invited to submit proposals to implement the Access/VSA Creative Career Program. Please review the following Request for Contract Proposals to apply:

RFP Access/VSA Creative Career Internship Program

Proposal Submission Deadline: November 7, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Notification: Selected recipients will be notified by December 8, 2025
Program Implementation Period: January 1 - August 31, 2026

Eligible and qualified organizations and companies are required to submit contract proposals online by the deadline to be considered for this program.

A Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Program.

This program was developed under U.S. Department of Education grant H421F240164 and does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department.

Generous support for the Kennedy Center’s Office of Accessibility and VSA is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional support is provided by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the National Committee for the Performing Arts.