National Veterans Creative Arts Festival

2017 National Veterans
Creative Arts Competition

Local Competitions Begin January 1, 2017

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 100 categories in the performing arts pertaining to all aspects of music, dance, drama and creative writing. 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.

Competition Eligibility Criteria

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 31, 2017 in order to compete at the national level.

2017 NVCAF Fact Sheet

Information or to Request a 2017 Competition Handbook

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 2017 Competition Handbook, contact Amy Kimbler (320) 255-6486 or Elizabeth Mackey (320) 255-6351.

NVCAF Videos:

VA care, music therapy helps
Chicago Veteran overcome PTSD

Air Force Veteran Chris Smith says VA health care helped him deal with the anxiety of losing his eyesight. The Chicago musician and singer found healing and rehabilitation with music therapy at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. Smith was one of more than 120 Veterans to participate in the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in Jackson, Mississippi, Oct. 10-16.

Veteran paints new life outside prison

Army Veteran Willie Weaver-Bey showcases the healing power of art at the 2016 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. The ex-con turned to VA's at-risk and creative arts programs after serving 40 years in prison for drug convictions. Weaver-Bey is one of more than 120 Veterans participating in this year's festival being held in Jackson, Mississippi Oct. 10-16.

Local Competition Phase

The 2017 local phase of the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition will begin January 1 and will end on March 31.

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.

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

2017 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 2017 local phase of the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition will begin January 1 and will end on March 31.

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.

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 2017 Competition Handbook, contact Amy Kimbler (320) 255-6486 or Elizabeth Mackey (320) 255-6351.

Event Director:
Elizabeth Mackey
(320) 255-6351

Media Contact:
Michael Molina
(202) 560-7305