Celebrate talented veteran artists at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, May 11-17

Who: Co-presented and hosted by VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System and the American Legion Auxiliary. 

What: From May 11-17, more than 130 artists—all veterans—will come from across the nation to the Denver area to showcase their artistic talent during the 43rd annual National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. 

Why: VA medical facilities incorporate creative arts into a veteran’s treatment program to further the patient’s rehabilitation goals. This annual competition recognizes the progress and recovery made through art therapy. It also raises the visibility of the creative achievements of its participants. 

When/Where: The week of events culminates with two events that are open to the public.  

1. Stage Show Performance, Thursday, May 16, at 7 p.m. 

               Newman Center for the Performing Arts (June Swaner Gates Concert Hall)  

University of Denver, 2344 East Iliff Ave., Denver, CO, 80208 

The public can reserve free tickets for Thursday’s performances by visiting NVCAF. 

2. Art and Writing Exhibition, Friday, May 17, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St, Aurora, CO, 80010 

The art and writing exhibition is open to the public and does not require a ticket to attend. 

Experience how creative arts can heal!  

The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) is the celebration and grand finale stage show along with art and writing exhibitions that are the culmination of talent competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama, and music for veterans treated in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national health care system.

Nationwide, 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. Veterans participating in the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival won their VA health care system’s local competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama and music, and were then invited to the national competition to showcase their work. In the 2023 competition, nearly 3,000 veterans submitted more than 6,000 entries, representing 125 VA medical facilities across the country. 

Throughout the week, veterans will participate in workshops, rehearsals and wellness activities around the greater Denver and Aurora areas in locations such as Santa Fe Art District, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and the Denver Sheraton Hotel. The public events will take place at the University of Denver and the Stanley Marketplace on May 16 & 17, respectively.

The public is invited to attend the two public events, the stage show performance and the art and writing exhibition. Video features, photography and interview opportunities with veteran artists and VA recreational therapists are available throughout the week. 

Connect with Public Affairs Specialist Nick Sanchez at (720) 215-6458, or VHAECHPAO@va.gov, for more information or interview opportunities. We look forward to seeing you there! 

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VA Eastern Colorado Office of Public Affairs

720-723-6532