About Grace Fisher Foundation

The Grace Fisher Foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities through the transformative power of the arts.

At the age of 17, Grace faced a life-altering challenge when she was diagnosed with a rare polio-like illness that left her paralyzed from the neck down. Despite this daunting setback, Grace's spirit and love for life found renewed expression through the power of the arts. With a mission centered on fostering community inclusion, education, creation, and self-discovery, we strive to create an accessible space where people of all abilities can connect with music, art, dance, and various forms of artistic expression.

The organization is committed to breaking down barriers and promoting inclusivity by integrating individuals with disabilities with the typical population, emphasizing shared experiences and fostering kindness. Through its multifaceted approach, The Grace Fisher Foundation aims to create a more vibrant and inclusive society where the arts become a powerful tool for connection, understanding, and personal growth.

The Inclusive Arts Clubhouse, inaugurated in March 2023, stands as a beacon of creativity and inclusivity within the community, representing the tangible embodiment of The Grace Fisher Foundation's mission. This enchanting space serves as the epicenter for The Foundation's diverse array of programs, providing a whimsical and inclusive environment for individuals of all abilities to unleash their creativity.

Our Programs

About Grace

In 2014 at the age of 17, Grace Fisher faced a profound challenge when she was diagnosed with Acute Flaccid Myelitis, a rare polio-like illness that left her paralyzed from the neck down. Previous to her diagnosis she was a gifted musician, playing piano, cello and Guitar and always knew music would be a significant part of her life. Grace embraced her passion for music and the arts, using them as a means to navigate the challenges that came with her disability. Through the grace of God and the unwavering support of her family and community, she embarked on a mission to create a space where the arts could flourish, offering solace and empowerment to those often overlooked by mainstream opportunities. 8 months after her arrival home she was approached by Make A Wish Foundation in Santa Barbara, CA. Grace’s wish before she turned 18 was to help other children with disabilities through art and music. It is a haven where people of all abilities can experience the joy, healing, and sense of community that the arts brought to Grace during her darkest hours. Grace's story serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us that in the face of adversity, creativity and community can pave the way to a brighter and more inclusive future.

In 2022, Grace graduated from UCSB with a degree in Music Composition. Her work has been recognized by the Kennedy Center, Forbes and various film festivals around the world. In 2020 there was a documentary made about her story titled “Amazing Grace“, that premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The film is now available on Amazon Prime!

Show “Amazing Grace” to your Junior High or High School students

Grace Fisher

Grace Fisher is the Founder and Creative Director of the Grace Fisher Foundation. After being diagnosed at 17 with a rare polio like illness, Grace turned to music and art as a source of healing and inspiration. Her passion led to the creation of the Inclusive Arts Clubhouse, a vibrant space where creativity, connection, and inclusion thrive. Grace continues to inspire through her music, advocacy, and commitment to fostering a community where everyone can explore their potential.

Morgan Peterson

Morgan Peterson is the Clubhouse Director at the Grace Fisher Foundation. She discovered the Foundation through her amazing former vocal coach Sloane Reali who is a longtime family friend of Grace and her family. She graciously introduced her to the foundation in the fall of 2024 and immediately fell in love with its mission. By January 2025, she was honored to join the team as an assistant manager. She is now the clubhouse director and is thrilled for this new role and the impact she can make. What Morgan loves the most about working here are the incredible people she gets to work alongside and the families she serves every day. Their stories inspire and uplift her more than words can express. She is honored and grateful to be apart of Grace’s circle.

Staff

Jana Brody

Jana Brody is the Development and Operations Director at the Grace Fisher Foundation, where she builds community partnerships and produces diverse arts programs. Passionate about the arts and inclusivity, she loves seeing the joy and connection that creativity brings to participants and their families. Jana lives in Goleta with her husband, Eric, a deaf advocate for inclusion.

Eva Zackrison

Eva is an Assistant Manager at the Grace Fisher Foundation. She discovered the foundation through a family friend, and it’s been a truly rewarding experience to work and volunteer here. The clubhouse has such a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and it’s one of the things she loves most about being part of this community. One of her favorite parts of working here is seeing people of all ages and backgrounds walk through the doors. Each person brings something unique, and it really highlights the inclusive spirit of this place.

Sara Wilcox

Sara Wilcox is the Art Director at GFF, she oversees curriculum, graphics, art projects and teaches art to kids and adults with all abilities at the Inclusive Arts Clubhouse. Sara has been with the foundation since the beginning and is excited to see the transformation throughout the years. Go Gracie! The most precious moments for her are seeing the students’ artistic process, and the beaming smiles they hold with a huge sense of pride. That’s why we do this work, to create the fire within these exceptional individuals.

Victoria Horstman

Victoria is an Assistant Manager at the Grace Fisher Foundation. She started volunteering for GFF in the beginning of 2023, and in December of 2024 she was hired on as an employee which she loves. Her favorite part of working at GFF is sharing Gracie’s story and how the foundation started with the guests that walk in the Inclusive Arts Clubhouse.