United States Department of Veterans Affairs

National Veterans Creative Arts Festival

 

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Art Exhibit

Featuring the first place national winning artwork from 53 categories.

Date: Friday, October 12, 2012
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Great Hall
Massachusetts State House
24 Beacon Street
Boston, Massachusetts

Free admission, no ticket required.

Stage Show

Date: Sunday, October 14, 2012
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College
219 Tremont Street
Boston, Massachusetts

Free admission, but tickets are required for admittance to the stage show.

To obtain free tickets and for other information, call
857-364-2443

About the Festival

Nationwide, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities use the creative arts as one form of rehabilitative treatment to help Veterans recover from and cope with physical and emotional disabilities. Across the country each year, Veterans treated at VA facilities compete in a local creative arts competition. The competition includes 53 categories in the visual arts division this year that range from oil painting to leatherwork to paint-by-number kits. In addition, there are 120 categories in the performing arts pertaining to all aspects of music, dance, drama and creative writing. A national selection committee chooses first, second and third place winners among all of the entries. Select winners are invited to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival each year.

The Veterans invited to participate in the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival are selected winners from the 2012 national competition.

The 2012 Festival will be hosted by VA Boston Healthcare System and held in Quincy and Boston, Massachusetts.

Download the festival newsletters

Purpose of the Competition and Festival

The key purpose of the National Veterans Creative Arts competition and Festival is to recognize Veterans for their creative accomplishments and to educate and demonstrate to communities throughout the country the therapeutic benefits of the arts.

Contacts

Event Director
Elizabeth Mackey, 320-255-6351
Public Affairs
Jordan Schupbach, 202-664-3733

2012 Local and National Competitions

The 2012 local phase of the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition has ended. For information regarding entering the 2013 competition, please contact recreation/creative arts therapy staff at the VA facility in which you are enrolled. If you need assistance in identifying a VA staff person from your facility, please contact Amy Kimbler (320) 255-6486 or Elizabeth Mackey, National Director (320) 255-6351.

Thank you sincerely for your interest in the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition and Festival!

Special Events

Interested in creative arts or attending a sports clinic? Check out these VA sponsored special events that are coming up soon.

Want to learn more about programs and services related to healthcare, employment, education and other topics? Visit the National Resource Directory (www.NRD.gov) and Warrior Gateway (www.warriorgateway.org) to connect to thousands of resources to assist in recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration.