Grace Fisher Foundation

Grace Fisher’s story has been shared frequently in Santa Barbara and beyond, but it bears repeating as it relates to her remarkable accomplishments and perseverance. The locally-raised Fisher was just about to graduate from high school and very active in a number of areas, including as a classically-trained multi-instrumentalist and dancer. But her goal of creating a career in music performance never even had a chance to materialize as she was suddenly struck with Acute Flaccid Myelitis, a rare, polio-like condition that affects the spinal cord, and in her case caused paralysis from the neck down at the age of 17.

But rather than give in to despair over the devastating diagnosis, Fisher not only continued her pursuit of the arts once she had initially reached stasis with her physical problems, she also turned the situation into an opportunity to help others reach their potential through community and the transformative power of the arts. The Grace Fisher Foundation’s Inclusive Arts Clubhouse was created as an enchanting space that hosts the GFF’s diverse array of programs, providing an inclusive and whimsical yet results-based environment for individuals of all abilities to unleash their creativity, a positive pursuit no matter what the disabilities are. 

For Fisher, that meant painstakingly composing music one note at a time with her mouth stick, and also using a brush attached to the device to take up visual arts, with a number of her paintings displayed around town (as well as inside of our 2026 Giving List book).

“I’ve always been artistic and creative, but after a life altering event that takes a lot of things away from you, I realized that art and creativity can morph with you,” Fisher said. “For me, it definitely doesn’t look the same as it used to, but it keeps my head afloat when there’s just a lot of challenges going on in life.”

The clubhouse was meant to spread that life-affirming practice, showing how creativity can come in many forms for the organization’s members who comes from all walks of life and are often connected through the foundation’s nonprofit partners. 

“The physical and medical side of things is always unpredictable,” Fisher said. “But I believe everyone can relate to the arts. For me, it was a way that I could focus my energy on something positive while the clubhouse became a way of being able to give back. The arts can specifically grow with you no matter what stage of life you’re in.”

Inclusive Arts Clubhouse celebrated its third anniversary last April and – like Fisher herself – it shows no signs of slowing down. Indeed, after being open Wednesdays-Saturdays for its first three years, the clubhouse recently added Tuesdays to the calendar, now covering six days a week. And the foundation’s clubhouse keeps adding new programs as well. 

“Some of the programs are our own, ones we created,” said Fisher. “We’ll source the teachers and the programming and everything. But then we also partner with groups like the Down Syndrome Association, who put on a couple different classes, and the spinal cord injury support group through Cottage Rehab, who do a support group each month.”

Recently, the foundation also started offering music therapy programs both at the Inclusive Arts Clubhouse and in local schools, introducing the musically focused approach to Santa Barbara. The programs let participants experience the healing benefits of music, which include reducing stress, improving communication, enhancing motor skills, and fostering emotional well-being – all while increasing connection and joy through making music together. Meghan Downing, who is still in her teens, provides the service. 

“She’ll do classes for anyone afflicted with any type of paralysis,” Fisher said. “And also for caregivers, who often don’t get a lot of support.” 

Also introduced relatively recently are some other offsite programs, including Hidden Haven satellite locations in libraries as well as Santa Barbara High’s Wellness Center, while Fisher also leads field trips where children can learn to experience just a moment of what Fisher does by painting with their mouths, which helps to build empathy. 

Fisher is often the impetus for new programs to emerge. 

“A lot of times I’ll have the general idea and then it’s up to the people around me to make them happen, of course,” she said. “They’ve been helping to get me out in the community more through the schools and field trips. The sensory rooms have been really fun to curate. It’s been a fun journey.”

Next up is another more substantial growth project – finding a new location as the future of La Cumbre Plaza, which houses the 3,500 square foot Inclusive Arts Clubhouse, is very much up in the air. 

“We are looking for a building, a permanent location that we could move into to have more room as well as provide sustainability,” Fisher said. “We’ll be launching a capital campaign probably in the fall.” 

Another way to connect to Fisher and support the foundation is through the nonprofit’s annual Winter Music Showcase at the Granada each December, where a number of community groups perform, all of the funds going to the foundation. Inclusivity and inspiration are the ideas.  

Visit www.GraceFisherFoundation.org