National Endowment for the Arts

New NEA Grants Support Veterans and the Arts Initiative Programs This Fall

Tionge Johnson — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:21:30 +0000

New NEA Grants Support Veterans and the Arts Initiative Programs This Fall Tionge Johnson Mon, 08/31/2026 - 18:21

This summer, 91��’s Veterans and the Arts Initiative, based at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, received two grants from the National Endowment for the Arts to support programs for veterans, servicemembers, military families, and caregivers. The workshops and community events, taking place both virtually and at the Hylton Center this fall, support the work of the initiative, which has served more than 20,000 military-connected people across Northern Virginia through programming that presents new artistic opportunities in a setting that also supports social connections with community members.  

U.S. Army Field Band. Photo provided

Beginning September 23, College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean Rick Davis will lead In Service of Theater: A Staged Reading Program for the Military and Veteran Community. In weekly sessions, participants will explore texts about military life and service and develop a rehearsed reading that culminates in a public performance on October 28.

"I'm looking forward to working with our Veterans and the Arts community to create a meaningful montage of dramatic scenes, narratives, and poetry that connects the workshop participants with an audience through the medium of language,” said Davis. “The 'staged reading' format is an elegant but simple way to focus on the stories and images of the texts without the extra bells and whistles of a full production."

The program, funded in part by Creative Forces^®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, an initiative of the National Endowment in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, will be presented in partnership with Virginia Department of Veterans. The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program is managed by Mid-America Arts Alliance.

“For our servicemembers, veterans, and their families, the arts offer an opportunity to create, to express, and to perform, and especially, to do so collaboratively. The In Service of Theater staged reading program is the latest initiative of 91��'s exceptional Veterans and the Arts Initiative. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS) is proud to support it,” said Steven Combs, VDVS Deputy Commissioner.   

George Mason alumnus Col. Scott McKenzie directs the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rachel Minto

The second grant from the National Endowment for the Arts supports three U.S. Military Band performances at the Hylton Center. On September 16 and 17, the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” will present two free daytime educational concerts for middle and high school students across the region. On September 27, community members of all ages will also have the opportunity to enjoy The U.S. Army Field Band’s 80th Anniversary Concert, featuring multiple Field Band ensembles, and favorite works such as Respighi’s Pines of Rome and the finale of Beethoven’s Ninth, as well as the Hylton Center debut of the Army Rappers. Tickets for the U.S. Army Field Band concert are free and general admission (limit four tickets per order). Each patron must have a ticket to attend. Tickets are available online or in person at the Hylton Center Ticket Office.

“This season marks another exciting milestone for the Veterans and the Arts Initiative as we received two grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. This support allows us to innovatively expand the impactful programming that brings our veterans, servicemembers, families, and caregivers, as well as local students, together through creativity, collaborative storytelling, and shared artistic experiences,” said Niyati Dhokai, program director for the Veterans and the Arts Initiative and research associate professor at 91��.

The grant-supported workshops and concerts are just a few of the returning and new Veterans and the Arts Initiative programs at the Hylton Center this fall. Some of the additional workshops to look forward to this year are:

Instructor Glen McCarthy will be leading weekly Level I and Level II Veterans Virtual Guitar workshops for beginning and experienced musicians beginning September 22.
On October 17, veterans, servicemembers, and military family members can join artist, U.S. Air Force veteran, and George Mason alumnus Patrick Sargent for the Laser Engraved Relief Print Workshop and create relief prints based on self-portraits or beloved pets.
On October 24, the Screen-Printed Luminaries Workshop will offer the opportunity to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a hands-on class focused on the design and printing of patriotic-themed paper luminaries.
On November 4 and 5, artist, U.S. Air Force veteran, and George Mason alumnus Steven Luu will facilitate The Ritual of Mask Making: Play, Performance, and Self-Permission, which enables participants to share stories through mask creation and personal reflection.

The fall Veterans and the Arts Initiative programming concludes with two concerts honoring veterans. On November 6, The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” returns with a free performance for the general public. Col. Scott McKenzie, a Prince William Public Schools graduate who received his master of music degree from 91��, is the Leader and Commander of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” On November 14 the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra presents To Swing Through the Sky, which will provide free tickets to veterans and servicemembers.

For more information on upcoming events, visit HyltonCenter.org.

Learn more about the Veterans and the Arts Initiative

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Fall for the Book to receive $20,000 grant from NEA

ckearney — Thu, 16 May 2024 17:08:25 +0000

Fall for the Book to receive $20,000 grant from NEA ckearney Thu, 05/16/2024 - 13:08

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has approved a $20,000 Grants for Arts Projects award for Fall for the Book. This grant will support general operating costs for festival’s year-round programming. In total, the NEA awarded 1,135 Grants for Arts Projects awards totaling more than $37 million as part of its second round of fiscal year 2024 grants.

Beth Macy, author of Dopesick, speaks to a group about her research. Photo by Aster Equine Photography

“[NEA’s] support helps us fulfill our mission to connect readers and writers and allows us keep the festival free to our community while offering more support to writers,” said Festival Director Kara Oakleaf. “The NEA’s work in advancing the arts is crucial to the cultural life of the United States, and we’re honored to work with them in keeping the literary arts thriving in our community.”

“Projects like Fall for the Book exemplify the creativity and care with which communities are telling their stories, creating connection, and responding to challenges and opportunities in their communities—all through the arts,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson.

Fall for the Book, Northern Virginia’s oldest and largest festival of literature and the arts, celebrated 25 years in 2023. All events are free and open to the public thanks to the generous support of sponsors including the 91��, Fairfax County Public Library, the Fairfax Library Foundation, and the City of Fairfax.

Learn more about Fall for the Book

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The LIVE Center Awarded $10,000 Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts

Emily Schneider — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 16:57:21 +0000

The LIVE Center Awarded $10,000 Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts Emily Schneider Mon, 01/31/2022 - 11:57

In This Story

Christopher d'Amboise

The LIVE Center (or the Center for Live Interactive Virtual Education) within 91��’s College of Visual and Performing Arts has been approved for a $10,000 Grants for Arts Projects award from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This funding will support future programming from this groundbreaking center at Mason: the LIVE Center Mentoring Series.

Developed to expand the reach of the LIVE center’s groundbreaking virtual instruction technology and the connections it makes possible, the LIVE Center Mentoring Series is a new project that offers direct access to exciting classes and conversations with globally recognized artists, choreographers, and performers. Students from the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Mason will be joined by high school and university students from around the country, broadening access to exceptional training and connections in the professional dance world. This grant will fund three iterations of the LIVE Center Mentoring Series during 2022. The first class is anticipated for May 2022, and will be shared live with about 300 participants across the United States. More details about the dates and participating artists will be announced as they are finalized.

"This is a unique opportunity to connect leading artists with the next generation of performers in a supportive and meaningful way," said Christopher d’Amboise, Heritage Professor of Dance and leader of the LIVE Center.

Christopher d'Amboise teaching a class in front of the LIVE Center Window Wall, in the Fall of 2021.

In 2019, d’Amboise saw a need for video conferencing that allowed for life-sized, full body interaction. From this, the concept of the Window Wall was created: a teacher in a remote location could be projected live and life-sized onto the wall of a studio, while a live feed of the students is projected for the teacher.

This concept became the basis for the flagship initiative of the LIVE Center. By eliminating the barrier of distance, theWindow Wall expands possibilities for virtual teaching, performances, and one-of-a-kind events.

The LIVE Center Mentoring Series project is among 1,248 projects across America totaling $28,840,000 that were selected to receive this first round of fiscal year 2022 funding in the Grants for Arts Projects category.

“The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support arts projects like this one from 91��’s College of Visual and Performing Arts that help support the community’s creative economy,” said NEA Acting Chair Ann Eilers. “91��’s College of Visual and Performing Arts in Fairfax, VA is among the arts organizations nationwide that are using the arts as a source of strength, a path to well-being, and providing access and opportunity for people to connect and find joy through the arts.”

To stay in the know, visit the LIVE Center site.