A Tempo: Arts Programs that Help Veterans Receive Funding Boost

Published May 26, 2022 at 5:50 AM EDT

Through DE-CRUIT, veterans use Shakespeare and write their own monologues to deal with their trauma and emotions. — DE-CRUIT, one of the recipients of a Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant, uses Shakespeare to help veterans deal with their emotions and trauma.

A Tempo this Saturday (5/28 at 7 pm) follows up on the first round of Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants, which support programs that use the performing, creative and visual arts to help returning veterans deal with trauma.

The National Endowment for the Arts and Mid-America Arts Alliance (MAAA) recently announced the first group of recipients of the Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program, and A Tempo this Saturday explores how arts programs like these can improve the well-being and health of veterans returning from service.

Host Rachel Katz will speak with Christine Bial, Director of Arts and Humanities Grant Programs at MAAA and Alisha Ali, lead researcher at DE-CRUIT, in which veterans find themes in Shakespeare that resonate with them and create monologues based on their own experiences. The conversation will discuss the variety of initiatives receiving the grants, from glass-blowing to creative writing to dance; DE-CRUIT's programs; and how the arts in general have provided options in helping people facing trauma.

The grant program awarded a total of $750,385 to 26 organizations in its inaugural round.

DE-CRUIT participants support each other through group sessions and performances.