The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant is a joint program of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Mid-America Arts Alliance. The program funds projects that improve the health and well being of service members, veterans, and their families and caregivers through participation in the arts.

Applications are due by January 17, 2024 for all project types and funding levels:

• One year emerging projects – up to $10,000
• One year advanced projects – up to $25,000
• Two year advanced projects – up to $50,000

All projects have a required 1:1 match of cash and/or in kind resources.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

• 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
• Units of state and local government
• Federally recognized Native American tribes

who:

• Are located in the United States including Washington D.C. and U.S. territories
• Have at least three years’ experience with either programming for military communities or presenting arts based projects

Expected Outcomes

Participants

Participants in funded programs are expected to achieve gains in one or more of these areas:

• Creative expression
• Social connectedness
• Resilience
• Independence and successful adaptation to civilian life

Applicants and their partners are expected to achieve gains in one or more of these areas:

• Building networks to support the creation and evaluation of improved programming
• Strengthening their capacity to create and evaluate programs to better meet participants needs
• Increased understanding of the value and impact of the arts

Program Requirements

Funded programs must work with at least one of the following populations:

• Active-duty service members
• Guardsmen and/or Reservists
• Veterans
• Family members of any of the above
• Military Caregivers (family, residential and clinical)
• Health care workers serving military-connected populations

Programs must also:

• Be accessible to people with disabilities
• Include the perspective of one or more local members of the target group in project design, planning, and implementation

Allowable Activities

Project Types

Projects may include:

• Arts instruction
• Creation of a work of art
• Concert/performance or exhibition
• Recording/filming/taping
• Apprenticeship/internship/residency
• Military/veteran family, and caregiver support

Delivery Models

Services may take the form of:

• In-person or virtual classes that meet regularly
• “Drop-in” style programs where no reservation/or enrollment is required
• Participant cohort performance or exhibition showcasing the cohort’s work
• Community or network building
• A single, one time event

Art Disciplines

Participants may engage in creative pursuits including:

• Crafts
• Dance/movement
• Design arts
• Folk/Traditional Arts
• Humanities
• Literature
• Media arts
• Music
• Musical Theatre/Opera
• Oral Traditions
• Theater
• Visual Arts