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National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
2016 National Veterans
Creative Arts Festival
2016 Local Competition
The 2016 local phase of the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition will begin January 1 and will end on March 25. For information regarding entering the 2016 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.
2016 List of National Event Dates and Locations
Presented by:
The Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Legion Auxiliary.
The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) is the celebration and grand finale stage and art show, which are the culmination of talent competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama and music for Veterans treated in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national health care system.
Approximately 120 Veterans will exhibit their artwork or perform musical, dance, dramatic or original writing selections in a gala variety show. A professional orchestra will accompany the performance. All Veterans invited to participate are selected winners of year-long, national fine arts talent competitions in which thousands of Veterans enter, from VA medical facilities across the nation.
VA medical facilities incorporate creative arts into their recreation therapy programs to further the rehabilitation milieu for both inpatients and outpatients. This annual competition recognizes the progress and recovery made through that therapy, and raises the visibility of the creative achievements of our Nation’s Veterans after disease, disability or life crisis.
Local Competition Phase
Local Competitions Begin January 1, 2016
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 enrolled at VA health care facilities compete in a local creative arts competition. The competition includes 51 categories in the visual arts division this year that range from oil painting to leatherwork to paint-by-number kits. In addition, there are categories in creative writing, dance, drama and music. Through a national judging process, first, second and third place entries in each category are determined.
Deadline Date for Submission of Entries to the National Level of Competition
Most VA facilities hold their local competitions in January and February. Be sure to check with your VA facility as early as December in order to meet their deadline date for submission of entries into the local competition. Veterans must work with a staff person from the VA facility where they 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.
Downloads
2016 NVCAF Fact Sheet
Competition & Festival Rules
Art Division Rules & Categories
Creative Writing Division Rules & Categories
Dance Division Rules & Categories
Drama Division Rules & Categories
Music Division Rules & Categories
Competition Eligibility Criteria
The 2016 local phase of the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition will begin January 1 and will end on March 25.
This competition is open to Veterans who are enrolled at a VA Medical Center or Outpatient Clinic BEFORE entering the local competition. An eligible Veteran can enter local competition at only one VA facility per year. He/she can submit an entry in creative writing, dance, drama or music categories with a Veteran or group from another VA facility, but still represents and must go through his/her originating VA facility to enter the competition. This facility should be the site where he/she receives their primary treatment. All required forms must be completed and postmarked to the National Chairpersons no later than March 25, 2016 in order to compete at the national level.
Note: Entry, consent and other competition forms are not included on this website, as Veterans must work with a staff person from the VA facility where they are enrolled.
For specific division information, rules, and category descriptions please contact the recreation/creative arts therapy or voluntary service department at the VA medical facility where you are enrolled.
To request a 2016 Competition Handbook, contact Amy Kimbler (320) 255-6486 or Elizabeth Mackey (320) 255-6351.
Event Director:
Elizabeth Mackey
(320) 255-6351
Media Contact:
Jordan Schupbach
(202) 664-3733
