Provided by ARTfactory
ARTfactory and Didlake Foundation Launch artWORKS Collaborative to Empower Individuals of All Abilities Through Arts and Workforce Development
ARTfactory is proud to announce a new partnership with Didlake Foundation to launch artWORKS Collaborative, an innovative specialty program designed to create meaningful opportunities for individuals with different abilities to engage in the arts, develop employment skills, and participate fully in community cultural life.
ArtWORKS Collaborative combines ARTfactory’s strengths in arts education, creative learning, and community engagement with the Didlake Foundation’s mission of enriching the lives of people with disabilities through employment, training, and inclusion. Together, the organizations are creating an inclusive and supportive environment where creativity and workforce development come together to inspire growth, confidence, and opportunity.
Board and Staff members of both Didlake Foundation and ARTfactory met on June 16, 2026 to learn more about the collaborative.
The program offers participants hands-on experience in visual and performing arts, digital and media arts, and arts administration and workforce development skills. Through specially designed workshops and classes, creative projects, stage experiences, and behind-the-scenes arts management opportunities, participants gain practical skills while exploring their artistic talents and building confidence.
“We are proud to partner with ARTfactory to expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities through creativity, workforce development, and community engagement. The artWORKS Collaborative reflects our shared commitment to inclusion, creating a space where people of all abilities can learn, contribute, and thrive together while building skills, confidence, and meaningful connections,” said Didlake Foundation Executive Director Kelsey DeWispelaere, CFRE, ACNP.
Didlake Foundation Executive Director Kelsey DeWispelaere discusses artWORKS Collaborative
ARTfactory CEO Talya Conroy guides Didlake Foundation Board on a tour of ARTfactory
As part of this exciting collaboration, ARTfactory will dedicate and rename its theater space as artWORKS Theatre, recognizing the shared commitment between ARTfactory and Didlake Foundation to foster creativity, inclusion, and opportunity for individuals of all abilities. The name reflects the spirit of the partnership and the belief that the arts can serve as a powerful pathway to personal growth, community engagement, and workforce development.
The newly named artWORKS Theatre will serve as a visible symbol of this commitment, providing a welcoming and inclusive space where participants can learn, perform, collaborate, and share their talents with the broader community. According to Talya Conroy, ARTfactory CEO, “Through performances, educational programs, and special events, the theatre will showcase the creativity and contributions of individuals of all abilities while advancing the mission of artWORKS Collaborative.”
To celebrate the launch of artWORKS Collaborative and the dedication of the new artWORKS Theatre, ARTfactory and Didlake Foundation will host a community Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, August 4, from 4 to 7 p.m. at ARTfactory in Manassas. The public is invited to join the organizations in celebrating creativity, community, inclusion, and the impact that can be made when partners work together to create meaningful opportunities. The event is free and open to all.
Participants in the program will have opportunities to:
- Explore visual, performing, digital, and media arts
- Build communication, collaboration, and leadership skills
- Gain workforce readiness and arts administration experience
- Develop confidence through creative expression
- Engage with the community through collaborative arts experiences
The partnership reflects both organizations’ shared commitment to eliminating barriers to participation and creating opportunities that enrich lives. By blending creativity with real-world skill development, artWORKS Collaborative empowers individuals with disabilities to discover their strengths, expand their abilities, and pursue meaningful pathways toward employment and community engagement.
Each project within the program is designed to spark creativity, encourage inclusion, and foster independence. Through accessible and engaging arts experiences, participants are supported in discovering what is possible both artistically and professionally.
For more information about artWORKS Collaborative, please contact the ARTfactory at 703-330-2787, or visit virginiaartfactory.org/
