D-PAN: Representing Deaf and Hard of Hearing Professionals in the Arts

Founded by Sean Forbes and Joel Martin in 2006, the Deaf Professional Arts Network or D-PAN is a Detroit, Michigan-based non-profit dedicated to helping deaf and hard of hearing individuals pursue careers in the entertainment, media arts, and visual arts industries. Originally known as the Deaf Performing Artists Network and focusing only on music and music videos, D-PAN eventually expanded its mission to also represent photographers, tattoo artists, filmmakers, writers, craftspersons, and other creative professionals.

Additionally, the organization runs D-PAN Productions, a video production house that offers a variety of services including animation, editing, cinematography, and original music composition. Recognized by ASCAP and CNN, D-PAN Productions employ mostly deaf or hard of hearing professionals.

In the near future, D-PAN will be launching two scholarship programs to advance its commitment to education – the Sean Forbes scholarship will be awarded to deaf or hard of hearing individuals who wish to obtain a degree or certification at an entertainment, visual arts, or media arts institution, while the Joel Martin Scholarship will be given to hearing individuals already pursuing a degree or certification in American Sign Language.