Washington, DC—As our nation approaches the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the National Endowment for the Arts and Mid-America Arts Alliance are proud to continue support for US military personnel, veterans, their families and caregivers. Guidelines and application materials are available now through Thursday, January 15, 2026, for the Creative Forces Community Engagement grant program, part of the Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network. These grants to organizations across the nation support non-clinical, community-based arts engagement programming designed to support health, well-being, and quality of life for military and veteran populations, including family members and caregivers. Visit maaa.org/CreativeForces for more information and to apply.
Since 2017, Creative Forces has invested in community-based arts engagement activities that take place in health care, community, or virtual settings. Creative Forces Community Engagement projects address the distinct experiences, challenges, and strengths of a broad military-connected population through experiences of art or art-making. Projects should focus on one or more of the following participant outcomes:
- Creative Expression—a better understanding of self and others by creating or engaging with art
- Social Connectedness—supportive relationships and a sense of belonging to a community
- Resilience—the ability to rebound from stress, unexpected events, or life’s challenges
- Independence and successful adaptation to civilian life—a sense of purpose and positive self-worth that supports adapting and readjusting to civilian life
Funding will support projects that take place between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027, in one of two categories:
Emerging:
- Support for eligible organizations to develop and implement new or emerging non-clinical arts engagement programs or for small organizations to provide non-clinical arts engagement for military-connected populations
- Cost-share/matching grant amount: up to $10,000
Advanced:
- Support for eligible organizations with established military-related non-clinical arts engagement programming
- Cost-share/matching grant amounts: $10,000–$25,000
Projects will require at least one partner and be led by or include at least one organization with a history of creative or artistic programming. Partnerships among arts organizations and veteran and military service organizations are highly encouraged.
Additional Applicant Resources:
- Sign up for office hours
- Five Helpful Hints for Applicants (video)
- Military and Family Needs Assessment and Literature Review: Considerations for Arts Providers and Creative Arts Therapists (report)
About Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network
Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Networkis an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the US Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. The initiative seeks to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for military and veteran populations exposed to trauma, as well as their families and caregivers. Creative Forces is managed in partnership with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine and Mid-America Arts Alliance. More information can be found at arts.gov/CreativeForces.
About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. To learn more, visit arts.gov.
About Mid-America Arts Alliance
Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) partners with and supports artists, organizations, and communities to grow access to the arts, culture, and creativity throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond. To learn more about M-AAA grants, programs, exhibitions, and fellowships, visit www.maaa.org and follow us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.