Registration Now Open for the “Creative Collaborations: Unlocking the Power of Community Arts Partnerships” Webinar

Join us on Thursday, November 21st, at 1:00 p.m. ET for an in-depth webinar presented by Creative Forces®. This session will spotlight the unique partnerships between community arts organizations, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) clinics, and national networking organizations, illustrating how these collaborations can enhance an organization’s ability to create meaningful impact for both military-connected individuals and the broader communities they serve.

Participants will explore various forms of partnerships, including referrals and outreach, resource sharing, program design, and Veteran Services Organization (VSO) and Military Services Organization (MSO) networking. Real-world examples will highlight how VA and DoD staff can play a pivotal role in arts-based projects. The webinar also seeks to raise awareness of federal and national non-profit networks that can serve as effective partners in serving military and veteran populations.

Whether you are a grant recipient, an arts organization, clinician or community artist interested in supporting the military, this webinar is designed to inspire and equip you with the tools to start or strengthen your collaborations. Don’t miss the chance to gain actionable insights, connect with potential partners, and make that important first call with your future partners!

“The Creative Forces grant was a wonderful opportunity to really strengthen the relationship with the Birmingham VA…It provided a launchpad for building community with them, and reached a whole new group of people who can benefit from the power of arts and community.”

Kimberly Kirklin, Director, University at Birmingham, Alabama Arts and Medicine Program

Event Details

Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024
Time: 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET, with additional time for Q&A afterwards
Location: Zoom; link will be provided upon registration
Registration: Advance registration is required
Cost: This event is free and open to all
Accessibility: Closed captions and ASL will be offered at this webinar. Should you need any other reasonable accommodation, please indicate that in your event registration by November 13, 2024.

Featured Speakers

Richard Casper is a United States Marine Veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and co-founder of CreatiVets, a nonprofit empowering wounded veterans through the arts and music. Awarded the CNN Hero in 2022 and named one of TIME Magazine’s Next Generation Leaders of 2017, he’s featured in TIME’s documentary Evidence of Things Unseen. Recognized by President George W. Bush and The Bush Institute for his work with veterans, Richard has also taught art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Virginia Commonwealth University, Belmont University, and the University of Southern California, continually advocating for veteran healing and rehabilitation.

Andrew Colwell, PhD, is program director and staff ethnomusicologist at the Center for Traditional Music and Dance, where he facilitates community-driven programs and initiatives with immigrant artists in New York City to sustain traditional art forms. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University and has received generous support for his scholarly research from the Fulbright Institute for International Education, the American Center for Mongolian Studies, and the Portable Title VIII program.

Kimberly Kirklin is the Director of UAB Arts in Medicine (AIM), a partnership between UAB Arts Alliance and UAB Medicine that enhances healing and wellness through creative engagement for patients, families, healthcare staff, and the community. She began her career in arts administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center in 2002, where she learned firsthand the transformative power of the arts. She played a key role in developing ArtPlay, the center’s education program, and expanding access to the arts for schools, communities, and seniors. In 2013, Kimberly led the effort to bring the arts into the healthcare setting, co-creating an arts in medicine pilot program at UAB Hospital that later expanded into UAB AIM. Kimberly’s interdisciplinary background includes degrees in performing arts, arts in medicine, and mental health counseling. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Health Behavior at UAB School of Public Health.

What You’ll Learn

1. How these collaborations can enhance an organization’s ability to create meaningful impact
2. How VA and DoD staff can play a pivotal role in arts-based projects
3. How to start or strengthen your partnerships