Entries from Veterans enrolled with the VA Maryland Health Care System are now being accepted for Maryland’s 2023 Veterans Creative Arts Competition.

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 9, 2023 at 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 registration and submission of all paperwork and writings is July 11. All artwork must be received by July 18.

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

Thank you. VA Maryland Health Care System