Half the battle of creating as a writer, visual artist or performing artist is finding the funding, space, and uninterrupted time to imagine and create. But a growing number of nonprofit and educational organizations are dedicating money and manpower to supporting arts programing for the military community and its artists.
Some organizations even offer programs and funding specifically for veteran artists. From day retreats to year-long residencies, we’ve curated a list of funded opportunities for veteran artists across the country.
Frontline Arts Workshops & Residency
Located in Branchburg, New Jersey, Frontline Arts is a socially engaging arts nonprofit with a suite of fully equipped printmaking studios for intaglio, relief, screen printing, digital and letterpress, as well as papermaking and book arts. The center offers workshops yearround, as well as residencies for veterans. Residencies can be completed any time during the year, in-person or remotely. Frontline Arts provides full and partial financial assistance to cover travel, housing and studio costs. Scholarships and residencies are open to any veterans. The next application window is set to open early 2023.
Virginia Center for the Creative Arts Residency
Each year the VCCA hosts 360 writers, musicians and visual artists at the Mt. San Angelo Retreat in Amherst, Virginia. Residencies vary in length up to six weeks and typically consist of 20 residents at a time. By day, residents enjoy private studio spaces and three meals a day prepared with fresh, local ingredients.
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By night, stylish and spacious private bedrooms with en-suites provide the perfect relaxation space. Each room opens to a private balcony that looks out over rolling pastures and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The communal areas feature a library, fireplace and grand piano.
Evered House Residency
Founded by Navy reservist-turned-writer/director Charles Evered, the Evered House looks out over Horn Bay in Port Haywood, Virginia. In addition to those who have served in the military, residencies are open to military partners or spouses, those who have served in conflict zones, (ie. war reporters, combat photographers, etc.), and first responders, health care workers and frontline workers who served during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Evered House hosts writers, performing artists, fine artists and musicians.
Workhouse Arts Center Artist Residency
This one is for the visual artists. In Lorton, Virginia, the Workhouse Arts Center offers a residency for active, retired and veteran service members. In exchange for acting as a program ambassador and teaching classes at the center, the resident has access to private discounted studio space in this reformatory-turned-community-arts-center. The residency offers artists the opportunity to exhibit and sell their art to the Workhouse’s more than 100,000 visitors each year.
Prairie Star Residency
Nestled on the edge of the Grinnell College campus in Grinnell, Iowa, this residency provides stipends, living facilities and studio space for veteran artists. The residency facilities are housed in the Grinnell Veterans Memorial Building, which is currently undergoing state-of-the-art renovations. Artists also enjoy access to equipment, space and events at the Stew Makerspace and Grinnell Arts Center less than a block away.
Veteran Women’s Voices Writing Retreats & Residencies
Every female veteran writer should know about the Veteran Women’s Voice, an offshoot of the nationally recognized Veteran Writers Group. The organization offers single-day retreats and three-day residencies that include mindfulness meditation, group writing prompts, silent writing time, daily sharing and response sessions with fellow writers. Residencies also feature art projects, music, optional yoga and nature hikes, and free time to socialize and explore the 700-acre retreat site at the Gaia House outside Nevada City, California. Although priority is given to female veterans currently living in Northern California, writers from all states and branches are encouraged to apply.
