This post has been updated from last year’s list.
Here at The Art League, we’re very proud of our IMPart program, which provides hands-on art experiences to injured military personnel. (More about IMPart and the IMPart exhibit on view through November 30, 2016.)
On Veterans Day, we wanted to share other organizations and programs that do similar work, locally and across the country. In addition to the visual arts, there are programs in writing and performing arts serving varying groups including veterans, current service members, their families, and caregivers.
- The Armed Services Art Partnership is based in Virginia but works all over the country with programs in writing, music, and comedy.
- The Veterans Writing Project, based in DC, provides no-cost writing seminars and workshops for veterans, active and reserve service members, and military family members.
- GI Film Festival, based in Alexandria, is a film festival dedicated to sharing the military experience. Anyone can submit a short or feature-length film.
- Combat Paper holds traveling papermaking workshops where veterans use their uniforms worn in service to create works of art.
- The Vet Art Project provides opportunities for veterans, family, and friends to work with expressive arts therapists and creative media.
- CAMMO (the Center for American Military Music Opportunities) out of Fort Belvoir provides music-related services including career development and auditions for veterans and service members.
- Warrior Writers is a national nonprofit with programs including workshops, performances, and art exhibits.
- The Veteran Artist Program “takes artists who are also veterans, and propels their works and careers into the mainstream creative arts community through networking, mentorships, collaborations with professional artists, and original productions.” It’s based in New York City but holds programs nationwide.
- The Arts and The Military in Takoma Park, MD, holds exhibits, workshops, and educational programs. Their goal is to provide a transition from military-provided arts and recreation programs to lifelong art-making.
- The Telling Project is a national performing arts non-profit that employs theater to deepen our understanding of the military and veterans’ experience.
- The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, run through the Department of Veterans Affairs, starts with local competitions at VA centers.
Please let us know if we missed any!
Americans for the Arts is also compiling a directory of programs in the arts for service members, veterans, and their families.