Sing for Hope is honored to announce it has received a $25,000 Advanced Tier Creative Forces® Community Engagement Grant for its vital new initiative, “Building Community Through the Arts: A Collaborative Initiative to Foster Connection, Expression, and Wellbeing for Veterans in Nursing Care.” This significant award, spanning the 2025-2026 grant period, supports Sing for Hope’s impactful partnership with the James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the Bronx.
This grant is part of a larger national effort by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA), to distribute over $886,000 to 48 organizations across the US. These Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants are designed to support community-based arts projects that aim to address the unique experiences, challenges, and strengths of military communities, fostering connection and healing through creative engagement.
“As our nation commemorates the 250th birthdays of the US Army, Navy, and Marine Corps this year, the National Endowment for the Arts is pleased to continue our support of arts engagement projects that enrich the lives of those who have served our country,” said Mary Anne Carter, senior advisor for the National Endowment for the Arts.
Todd Stein, president and CEO of Mid-America Arts Alliance, added, “Through the Creative Forces Community Engagement grants, hundreds of thousands of veterans, active military members, and caregivers have developed creative skills, tapped into their personal resolve, and deepened their resilience. These grants and their projects underscore the essential role of the arts in strengthening people and the communities they call home.”
Bringing Essential Arts to Veterans at James J. Peters VA Medical Center
Sing for Hope’s “Building Community Through the Arts” initiative will reintroduce vital creative programming to the Community Living Center (CLC) at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center. The CLC serves approximately 70 residents, primarily men with diverse backgrounds, including veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. Many of these individuals navigate chronic health conditions and mobility challenges, often compounded by social disconnection and loneliness.
For this population, arts programming is not merely an enhancement; it is essential. It serves as a powerful tool to reduce isolation, cultivate joy, rebuild community, and rekindle social connections. The initiative will feature tailored group activities for participating veterans, ensuring inclusivity with bedside performances for those with limited mobility. Sing for Hope artists will collaborate closely with the VA’s recreation therapists, caregiver advocates, and other team members to curate programming that addresses the unique needs and interests of each resident, ensuring a person-centered approach.
Sing for Hope has been a trusted partner to the James J. Peters VA Medical Center for many years. Their artists’ proven ability to combine artistic excellence with profound compassion and experience in arts and health makes them an ideal collaborator for the program. Through music performances, visual arts workshops, and individual bedside visits, their work has consistently enhanced lives at the CLC, bringing residents healing, creativity, and community.
The Power of Creative Forces: Healing Through Art
The Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network is a national initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the US Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. It aims 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.
This grant underscores Sing for Hope’s commitment to leveraging the transformative power of the arts to serve those who have served our nation. We are confident that “Building Community Through the Arts” will bring much-needed joy, connection, and well-being to the veterans at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center.
Learn more about Sing for Hope’s work in Public Health and Wellbeing HERE . To explore the Creative Forces initiative and other grant recipients, visit arts.gov/CreativeForces .
