Annual VA Maryland Health Care System Creative Arts Competition Now Accepting Entries!
Each year across the nation, VA partners with the American Legion Auxiliary to host a creative arts competition and festival that showcases and celebrates the value of the creative arts and creative arts therapy in the health, wellness and rehabilitation of our nation’s Veterans.
The VA Maryland Health Care System hosts a local competition, with area Veteran patient winners being forwarded to the national level of competition. This year’s local event will take place on Saturday, September 10, 2022, as a part of the Maryland State Fair. This showcase is an opportunity for Veterans to share their creative works with the community and other Veterans. It also gives Veteran artists a chance to speak about their work and its importance in their lives.
Veterans who win nationally are typically invited to attend the annual VA National Creative Arts Festival. There are five divisions of entry for the competition:
- Art (photography, paint, crafts, etc.)
- Creative Writing (poetry, essay, short story, etc.)
- Drama (performing poetry, prose, comedy, etc.)
- Dance (modern, line, ballroom, etc.)
- Music (vocal, instrumental, original, etc.)
Local entries are accepted at all levels of ability. To submit an entry for the local competition, Veterans must be enrolled in the VA Maryland Health Care System.
Due date for entries is Monday, July 18th. For more information about entries or this year’s showcase, please contact Kelsey Eisenhauer at kelsey.eisenhauer@va.gov or 410-585-4477.
For more information about the national festival, please visit: National Veterans Creative Arts Festival - Veterans Health Administration