2024 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
Author: Megan Natoli, Challenge America Program Director
Did you know that each year, there is a National Veterans Creative Arts Festival? 🎨✏️🎭🎶
Co-presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Legion Auxiliary, the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is a culmination of VA facility competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama, and music for Veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs national health care system.
Prior to the festival, Veterans enrolled at VA health care facilities across the country compete in their local creative arts competition. Each VA facility determines their local competition deadlines, though most facilities hold their local competitions between May and August.
Competition Eligibility:
The competition is open to Veterans who are eligible to receive care through the Department of Veterans Affairs AND are enrolled at a VA Medical Center, Outpatient Clinic, or Vets Center BEFORE entering the local competition. Eligible Veterans can enter the local competition at one VA facility per year in creative writing, dance, drama, or music.
Competition Process:
To submit entries to the local competition, Veterans must work with the local VA staff contact person where they are enrolled. Be sure to check with your VA facility as soon as possible to find out the deadlines for submissions! For assistance identifying the local VA staff point of contact at the VA facility where you are enrolled, please email arts4vets@va.gov.
Winning entries at the local level are advanced to a national judging process and 3 are eligible to win at the national level. First place winning Veterans are invited to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival hosted by a different VA facility each year.
The Festival:
This year’s festival will be held in Denver Colorado from May 11-18, 2024. The festival culminates with a stage performance, writing exhibition and gallery-style showcase of artwork. Art workshops and writing seminars are offered to Veterans during the festival week, with education in a variety of artistic modalities.
For more information visit the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival website or email arts4vets@va.gov.
Here at Challenge America, we have the immense honor of seeing firsthand how the arts can transform lives and help to build a beautiful community full of inspiration and support. We know that putting your art out into the world takes courage but we hope that you will consider participating in this wonderful competition. Know that Challenge America will be here to cheer you on every step of the way! 🎉🎉🎉
Sincerely,
The Challenge America Team
