No-cost arts healing programs coming for Midlands vets
NEA awards Creative Forces grant in Midlands
The Big Red Barn Retreat in Blythewood is one of 41 organizations nationwide selected to receive a Creative Forces® Community Engagement grant.
Big Red Barn Retreat photo.
The $50,000 grant—the only one awarded in a state with deep military ties—will support multidisciplinary healing arts programs for veterans. Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants are part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Creative Forces® initiative and are in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance.
“These Creative Forces projects provide important opportunities for military-connected individuals and communities to improve resilience and well-being through arts engagement,” said Maria Rosario Jackson, Ph.D., chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. “Arts and culture are essential to healing, creating connections, and developing healthy communities where all people can realize their full potential.”
Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the U.S. departments of defense and veterans affairs that seeks to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for military and veteran populations exposed to trauma, as well as their families and caregivers. The Creative Forces Community Engagement projects serve a broad population of military-connected people, including active-duty service members, guardsmen, reservists, veterans, military and veteran families, as well as caregivers and healthcare workers providing care for military service members and veterans.
In partnership with the Columbia Vet Center, BRBR’s program will provide opportunities for veterans to explore art, music, and photography. Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) is the foundation of BRBR’s programming helping veterans move from struggle to strength. “The Artistic Journey” portion of the program will introduce veterans to various forms of creative expression such as dance, creative writing, glass blowing, drumming, and a studio visit to interact with professional artists. A Songwriters Showcase and a Heroes Art Exhibit are planned for 2025 to increase public awareness and foster interactions with the civilian community. All programs and services will be offered at no-cost to participants.
“With these newest Creative Forces projects, we will continue to see how engaging with art creates a path for emotional expression and provides a sense of community and connection, making it a vital component of holistic health care,” said Todd Stein, president and CEO of Mid-America Arts Alliance. “We’re honored to partner with the National Endowment for the Arts to bring these opportunities to new military-connected communities across the country.”
By providing opportunities for engaging in art or art-making, programs funded by Creative Forces grants help participants gain a better understanding of themselves and others through creative expression, while increasing their sense of belonging to their communities. Participation in the arts often leads to individual and shared sense of purpose, as well as positive self-worth, supporting their ability to adapt and readjust to life’s challenges.
For more information on other projects included in this grant announcement as well as resources for arts engagement with military-connected populations, visit creativeforcesnrc.arts.gov.
About…
The Creative Forces Initiative
Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs that seeks to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for military and veteran populations exposed to trauma, as well as their families and caregivers. Creative Forces is managed in partnership with Civic Arts, the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, and Mid-America Arts Alliance. More information can be found at arts.gov/CreativeForces and CreativeForcesNRC.arts.gov or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
The National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing equitable opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. To learn more, visit arts.gov or follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Mid-America Arts Alliance
Mid-America Arts Alliance strengthens and supports artists, cultural organizations, and communities throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond. To learn more about M-AAA grants, programs, exhibitions, and fellowships, visit www.maaa.org. and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.