National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
October 8-14, 2012Nationwide, 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. The stage show performance will occur Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cutler Majestic Theatre in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Details regarding the location and date of the public showing of the art exhibit featuring the 53 pieces of art from the national competition will be forthcoming. Purpose of the Competition and FestivalThe 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. 2012 Local and National CompetitionsThe 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. Entries by Veterans that have been submitted to the 2012 national competition in art, creative writing, dance, drama and music will be judged during the months of April, May and June. VA staff will be notified in mid-June by mail and email if Veterans from their facility are invited to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. Thank you sincerely for your interest in the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition and Festival!
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