The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded Art for the Journey a grant for $10,000 to support the delivery of our veterans art programs. This is the first grant funding that has been awarded in support of AFJ veterans programming and will ensure that our goals of delivery in 2021-2022 are met to reach veterans living with PTSD to promote well-being through art and community.
This grant supports the mission of Art for the Journey to transform lives through art and community engagement and also affirms the positive role art has in our society. NEA grants demonstrate the resilience of all of the arts as greatly important to the very fabric of our living, working, and overall well-being, which truly aligns with what we believe at Art for the Journey.
To support our veterans, Art for the Journey provides art experiences that are delivered with the help of many volunteers, both artists and non-artists! We believe in a person-centered approach and each veterans art experience is supported with nearly one-on-one volunteers to participants fostering a sense of belonging and community. Everyone involved feels positive and receives well-being.
Currently unable to meet inside the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Hospital, Art for the Journey will provide art experiences through the AFJ Art Bus which will be set up outside of the hospital with tables, art-supplies and easels until we are all allowed back inside. Local artist Beverly Perdue Jennings will lead an upcoming "Paint-Out" event on May 19, 2021.
Prior to the Art Bus art project delivery to veterans, Art for the Journey delivered art kits to support veterans who were isolating at home. We are planning to resume in-person delivery through the Art Bus until we can hold veterans art events at the Hunter Holmes hospital, or the Virginia War Memorial, or the Frable Art Studio at Independence Golf Club. If you are interested in volunteering, visit our volunteer tab on our website. A volunteer training is provided and the events are wonderful to share! Thank you to all the committee members who deliberated and made decisions to allocate these NEA grant funds. We will make great use of them as we serve these strong amazing and brave individuals through art. To learn more about grants awarded through the NEA in 2021 go to: https://www.arts.gov/grants/recent-grants
