School of Service is a non-profit, 501-C-3 charitable educational organization, incorporated in August, 1971, by its founder, Columbia architect Hurst John, with tax-exempt status granted in 1973.  Hurst John died in early February 1979.  Following program “blueprints” designed by her architect father for a school recognizing abilities of the disabled, Susan Newstead continued her father’s plans for School of Service; and on February 26, 1979, Naoma Powell officially joined the Board of Directors and became the Director of the program, a position she retained for the next quarter century and remains active in today as Director Emerita and Artist in Residence.  Early in its history, the School emphasized residential care that promoted interaction among able-bodied and disabled persons.  School of Service provided a dual role for each participant, both as teacher and student, in an environment that encouraged mutual sharing of talents and greater independence in living skills for those with disability.  When accessible housing, such as Freedom House I and II, became available in Columbia, beginning in 1982, the School’s focus turned from residential care for the disabled to teaching in the arts for people of wide diversity.  By January 1985, Access Arts was fully functioning as the primary program within School of Service.

Open to all ages, accessible to a range of abilities, disabilities and economic circumstance, Access Arts is a place for learning centered on the arts and dedicated in service to people.  Staff qualifications, program, professional equipment and facilities, an open studio policy for students beyond classroom experience, seminars with recognized artists:  each indicates concern for all people to experience artistic expression and quality.  Community outreach through teaching and demonstrations in the arts for public schools and home schoolers, for churches and civic groups, for agencies dedicated to the disabled and disadvantaged extends community benefits.  Broad area financial support shows the reciprocal and collaborative aspect of community involvement in Access Arts programs.

Access Arts is completing its 23rd year of classes offered to groups of all ages, children through seniors.  Annual enrollment records show primarily a continuing and consistent growth pattern.  From 28 total registrations in its first year, its annual enrollment has grown to exceed 2,000.  The program serves a high percentage of disadvantaged populations (66% low income) and offers assisted classes for those with disability (requiring higher costs for implementation).  Since poverty is income disability, generous fee waivers and scholarships serve the financially challenged and all high-risk persons.  For all participants, the school offers recognition of the arts as a basic foundation necessary in human development 

Access Arts activities reach out beyond a 30-mile radius to diverse communities within and surrounding the Columbia area.  Eleven four-week units of regular classes are offered each year.  Studios are available for advanced students to work independently year-round, and workshops extend class instruction.  In addition to regular classes, home-schooled children expand their art experiences in our studios.  Special needs classes in pottery, writing, music, and weaving are scheduled for those with physical and/or mental disabilities with special assistance offered each participant.  Clients from Boone County Family Resources and Woodhaven Learning Center are among the regular special needs enrollees of Access Arts.  During the summer months, Fun City (a learning program for minority, disadvantaged children and youth) selects 20 students interested in the arts to participate in our pottery classes.  Partners in Art, a collaborative program with our neighborhood elementary school, is a highly successful outreach program held in our studios.  One classroom at a time, each child from Benton School comes to Access Arts each spring and fall for pottery or weaving lessons in a studio setting:  around 300 children (13 classrooms) during six years of enrollment at Benton.  From these early introductions, many continue active participation in the arts throughout their lives; all will gain an appreciation for the arts.  Supplemental seminars are offered adult pottery students twice each month on Sunday afternoons:  1) Pot Pourri Series with guest artists presenting slides and demonstrations, and 2) intensive seminars on glazing techniques given by staff.  Access Arts outreach programs include lessons and demonstrations for schools, Scout troops, pre-school day care centers, school field trips from nearby counties, visiting foreign students, church, mosque and synagogue youths.  Demonstrations of weaving, spinning and wheel-thrown pottery are scheduled by request at schools and craft fairs. 

During its more than 25 years of growth, the School has changed from a limited, full-time, multi-function volunteer staff to a paid teaching staff averaging fifteen, a paid, full-time maintenance engineer, and a three-quarter-time, paid administrative/records staff.  Beginning July 2005, a matching grant from the National Endowment for the Arts helped to fund a salaried director for the school, Christopher Sharp.  An active volunteer program supplements services the School offers its students and the community.  Access Arts facilities have developed from a basement-corner classroom to a three-building campus with classrooms well-designed for studio working space and equipped with highly professional tools and equipment to match or exceed the quality of any studio in the region.

            The Missouri Arts Council, the Columbia City Office of Cultural Affairs, and various foundations and civic organizations supplement program funding.  Of unusual significance is the 25% of total budget funding that comes from individual supporters, primarily in small donations, multiplied many times over by those who value the School.  Access Arts remains a school of service for all people.