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Veterans Creative Arts Competition at Minneapolis VA

The mission of this program focuses on empowering the Veteran voice through arts opportunities to promote self-expression and community connection, honor Veterans’ unique personal and military contributions, and showcase the vital role the arts play to transform the healthcare experience.

Three Veterans taking part in creative arts. One painting, one writing, one playing guitar

2025 Minneapolis Veterans Creative Arts Competition Exhibition & Showcase

Minneapolis VA Medical Center | Flag Atrium & Auditorium | September 8-11, 2025

Minneapolis VA’s annual event celebrates and showcases the creativity of our local Veteran community. This four-day in-person event features art & writing exhibits, live performances, creative arts experiences, and a resource table to learn more about community arts organizations creatively serving Veterans.

Event Schedule:

Monday, September 8  

  • 1pm-4pm |  Exhibit Open Hours

Tuesday, September 9   

  • 9am-4pm | Exhibit Open Hours
  • 1:30pm | Performing Arts Showcase (Chapel)

Wednesday, September 10

  • 9am-6pm  | Extended Exhibit Open Hours 
  • 1:30pm | Creative Writing Showcase (Chapel)

Thursday, September 11 

  •  9am-1pm  | Exhibit Open Hours
  • 11am | Visual Arts Showcase (Auditorium)
  • 1pm | Live Performance (Flag Atrium)

How to get involved

Review the 2025 Minneapolis VA Creative Arts Competition Handbook and get submission details for each division, listed below.

Visual art | Creative writing | Performing Arts

2025 competition submissions are OPEN May 1- August 15, 2025 

To participate in these annual competitions, Veterans must be:

  •  Enrolled in the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. 
  • All participants must fill out the consent form and entry forms, required paperwork links below.
  • Follow the submission instructions for your division, listed below.

Required paperwork

Entry Forms:
National Veterans Creative Arts Competition logo

Local & National Veterans Creative Arts Competition Timeline

Each year, Veterans enrolled in VA care are invited to participate in a local juried creative arts competition. The purpose of the competition is to recognize Veterans’ creative accomplishments and to support the healing and therapeutic power of the arts. Our local Minneapolis VA, along with VA Health Care Systems across the country, host these annual local competitions and exhibitions. All entries displayed and showcased in the Minneapolis VA event have been created by Veterans and some active duty service members. Local winners from each division and category (1st, 2nd and 3rd place) are submitted to a national judging process to compete with other Veterans from across the VA system. Selected gold-medal-winning Veterans from the national competition are then invited to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts (NVCA) Festival which travels to a new city each year. For more details on the National Veterans Creative Arts (NVCA) Festival, visit: https://department.va.gov/veteran-sports/national-veterans-creative-arts-festival/

2025
May - August

July & August

  • Performing Arts Filming & Visual Art Drop-off Event dates (details below)

August

  • Call for submissions CLOSES August 15th

September

  • Submissions judged; 2025 Minneapolis Veterans Creative Arts Competition Showcase & Exhibition Event

October

  • Local Minneapolis winning submissions (1st, 2nd & 3rd places) submitted for National Veterans Creative Arts (NVCA) Festival jurying

November - December

  • National Jurying of ALL VA submissions

2026

January

  • 2025 National Veterans Creative Arts winners announced

February - May

  • Coordination of 2025 local winners to attend National Festival event

June 9-14th

  • 2025 National Veterans Creative Art Festival in Columbia, South Carolina

Visual art

2025 competition submission collection is OPEN. 

 

Art Drop-Off Dates:

The dates and times below are when Veterans drop off visual art submissions and fill out paperwork. Staff are available to answer questions and ensure your artwork is ready for display. This is also a great time to connect with other Veteran artists and get a preview of art displayed in the show. Art Drop-Off Events take place in the Auditorium in the Flag Atrium of the Minneapolis VA. No sign-up required, just drop by!

  • Monday, July 28th from 4-6pm
  • Saturday, August 9th from 9-11am
  • Tuesday, August 12th from 1-3pm 

Veterans are highly encouraged to drop-off art work on these dates. If none of these dates work, contact Recreation & Creative Arts Therapies by emailing VHAMINARTS@va.gov or call 612.282.3876 to coordinate an alternative drop-off plan. The final deadline to accept artwork is August 15th at 3pm.


Creative writing

2025 competition submission collection for Creative Writing is OPEN until August 15, 2025. 

 

Submissions must be a Word document and emailed to VHAMINARTS@va.gov


Performing arts

2025 competition submission collection for Performing Arts divisions are OPEN. 

 

Performers have two options for video submissions:

1)    Self-recorded video & upload to a link

2)    VA Staff support to film a video

  • Performer filming dates with VA staff:
    • Take place during scheduled days/times between August 2 -14, 2025 
      • Filming happens on-site at the Minneapolis VA
      • Limited spots available, sign-up required

Interested in submitting to our performing arts division? Email VHAMINARTS@va.gov to get more information on sign-up for filming support with our VA staff or request a link to submit a self-recording.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

I missed the deadline for participating this year, how do I get information for next year?

Send an email request to VHAMINARTS@va.gov and ask to join our mailing list. You will be first to know when our annual Call for Submissions comes out for the upcoming year (typically in May) and receive general information pertaining to this program. You can request to get off of the mailing list at any time.

I’m a Veteran but am not enrolled in VA care, can I still participate?

Unfortunately, no. All Veterans must be enrolled in Minneapolis VA care in order to participate in this event. If you are interested in enrolling in care, visit: https://www.va.gov/minneapolis-health-care/register-for-care/

I work at a CBOC or community organization that serves Veterans, can I share the Call for Submission flyer?

Absolutely. Also, encourage your Veterans to visit this website and review the competition handbook carefully.

I am new to the creative arts. Should I still participate?

Please do! We have Veterans participate with a wide range of skills and experience from beginner to expert. Veterans participate for a wide variety of reasons – they experienced recreation or creative arts therapies during rehabilitation, they use creative arts for coping with mental health, they have a developed a creative identity and want to share it in community with other veterans – no matter the reason for your creative expression, we encourage you to join in!

What are the creative arts skill-building workshops?

These are workshops focused on building creative skills to increase confidence and create community and connection with other veterans. Veterans are invited to participate in these workshops in order to help them create something to be entered into the annual competition, exhibit and showcase. Workshops are often scheduled from April-June. Many of the workshops are hosted at local arts non-profits and within community settings. Space is limited and an intake to participate is required. Veterans who participate in a workshop are highly encouraged to participate in the upcoming Veterans Creative Arts Competition. For more questions, contact VHAMINARTS@va.gov  

Does my creative art have to be military-related?

No, your creative art submission does not have to be military related, although we do have submissions that are specific to military experience. See the guidelines and rules for more details.

Can I participate in more than one creative arts division?

Absolutely! You can participate in as many divisions as you want (creative writing, visual art, music, dance, and drama). You can submit up to three entries per division, but each entry MUST be in a different arts category (see handbooks for details)

How is the competition judged and who are the judges?

Each division has up to three (3) local judges who offer expertise in that creative art. Judges are invited by Recreation & Creative Arts Therapy team. The judging criteria (included in the competition handbook) are provided to each judge and they independently judge each entry based on these criteria. The independent judges scores are tallied to get an overall score. These overall scores determine the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each category of every division. These winning entries are then sent to the national judging process. 

I only want to participate in the exhibition and showcase and not have my submission judged. Can I still participate?

Yes. We want you to be a part of our local event in the way that feels right for you. If you choose to display/exhibit/perform only and participate in the juried competition, keep in mind your entries will NOT advance to national. 

Can I participate anonymously?

Your submission paperwork and consent form will need to be filled out with your legal name and other identifiable information. Those documents are securely stored and used by staff only. On the entry forms, you can indicate how you want to be publicly acknowledged during the exhibition and showcase. For public display of visual art and creative writing, we can use “anonymous,” initials or a pen name. However, keep in mind your visual art or writing style and content may provide identifiable details to those who know you, even without a name present.  In the performing arts category, reach out to VHAMINARTS@va.gov to see if it is possible to film with this in mind. Keep in mind that voice and performing style might be identifiable even when your face is not filmed. Filming for anonymity might also impact judging due to the criteria for how performers are judged. If your submission wins and is moved forward to the national competition, our local team can help you navigate that situation at that time.

If I miss the deadline, can I just show up with my artwork, writing or instrument at the event and participate anyway?

No. Only Veterans who submit their entries and paperwork prior to the deadline can participate. Veterans who show up at the event hoping to display art or perform, will NOT be able to showcase their artform in or around the event. Veterans who persist on sharing art or performing will be asked to leave. Please join the mailing list by emailing VHAMINARTS@va.gov and request information on participating next year.

Can I participate in the Minneapolis VA competition AND another local VA’s competition?

No. Veterans can only participate in one local competition each year. Veterans can participate where they are enrolled to receive care. Check with your local facility to see if they host a creative arts competition. If they do not, you are welcome to participate in the healthcare system nearest you.

I receive care at a CBOC (community-based outpatient clinic), can I participate?

Yes! You are welcome to participate if your CBOC is part of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. Please follow the submission guidelines. 

What VA staff is responsible for this event?

Our Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy team oversees this programming and event. We also have some incredible VA staff and volunteers who assist with this event. 

Can I volunteer to assist with this event?

Certainly! To learn more about volunteering, please email VHAMINARTS@va.gov. Someone from our team will reach back out to you to answer any questions. We will then connect you with our Center for Center for Development and Civic Engagement. 

Creative Writing

Does my creative writing submission have to be in Word or can it be submitted as hand-written or in PDF?

All creative writing MUST be submitted in Word format. No other format will be accepted. Email your entry to VHAMINARTS@va.gov.

Where do I send my submission paperwork and consent?

You can upload a copy of these and email to VSAMINARTS@va.gov OR a mailing address will be sent to you once you submit your creative writing entry via email. 

How will creative writing be displayed during the event?

We have a large screen that showcases the writing with some seating for viewing. There is also a printed anthology of the writing that will be available for viewing. Participants will receive one (1) printed anthology featuring all creative writing submissions for your participation in this year’s competition and showcase.

What is the Creative Writing Showcase?

This is a designated time during our event for participating creative writers to read their writing aloud to an audience. Creative writers can also request to have their writing read by a VA staff or other representative. There is a three-minute time limit for each creative writer. More details on day and time will be provided for creative writers who submit an entry. 

Visual Arts

What if I can’t make the Visual Art-Drop Off Event?

Please reach out to VHAMINARTS@va.gov or call to coordinate alternate plans.

What if I am unsure what category my visual art piece can be entered in?

Please reach out to VHAMINARTS@Va.gov or call to discuss. The POC might have you send images to better determine what category your art fits into. 

How many art pieces can I submit?

Up to three, however they each need to be entered into a different category. For example, one (1) color photograph, one (1) acrylic painting, and one (1) watercolor. You cannot submit more than one artwork into a single category. 

How will artwork be showcased in the exhibit?

The Minneapolis VA Auditorium in the Flag Atrium is set up with portable display walls, tables and easels to showcase artwork. Most artwork is grouped in like-categories. 

What is the Visual Arts Showcase?

This is a designated time during our event for participating visual artists to share more about their artwork or creative process. Artwork will be displayed on a large presentation screen. Seating is available for audience members. There is a three-minute time limit for sharing. More details on day and time will be provided for visual artists who submit an entry. 

Does the VA keep my artwork?

No. You will submit your artwork by the submission deadline. The artwork will be judged and displayed during the event. At the end of the event, you will pick your artwork up. If your artwork is selected for the national event, an R/CAT team member will coordinate shipping of your artwork. 

Performing Arts

What is the Performing Arts Showcase?

This is a designated time during our event for participating performing artists to perform in front of a live audience. Guests are welcome and this is open to the public. There is a three-minute time limit for sharing. More details on day and time will be provided for visual artists who submit an entry. 

How do I create a video for submission to the performing arts division?

You have a couple of options. Either record a video yourself that meets the submission criteria listed in the handbook and upload it to a link provided to you by our team. Or you can get filming support from our VA staff. Filming with support from our staff happens on-site at the Minneapolis VA and there are limited spots available. Either way, email VHAMINARTS@va.gov and someone from our team will help guide you through the process.

Are the filmed performing art entries shown during the event?

Yes, portions of performances are highlighted during the event and played on a large screen during certain times of the day.

How do I know which category/genre my song fits into?

You can always Google search the song to see what the song is labeled as. Otherwise, our VA staff can provide some guidance, email VHAMINARTS@va.gov.

Connect with a Recreation or Creative Arts Therapist

Five point star all the colors of the rainbow

Recreation or Creative Arts Therapist

Our Recreation & Creative Arts Therapy team will be in contact within 48 business hours (M-F from 8-4pm)

VA Minneapolis health care

Email: VHAMINARTS@va.gov