Americans for the Arts

In summary, veterans with vmPFC or amygdala damage were significantly less likely to develop PTSD than veterans with damage to other parts of the brain, or veterans with no brain damage. Particularly striking was the complete absence of a lifetime diagnosis of PTSD among veterans with amygdala damage, which could not be attributed to damage to surrounding temporal lobe regions, including hippocampus.

"Increased anticipatory responses to unpredictable threat in distinct vmPFC subregions were uniquely associated with elevated hyperarousal and re-experiencing symptoms in combat veterans. These results underscore the disruptive impact of uncertainty for veterans, and suggest that investigating individual differences in discrete aspects of PTSD may advance our understanding of underlying neurobiological mechanisms."

This two page fact sheet produced for Arts Advocacy Day 2016 gives an overview of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), including items about its budget, value, and mission.

Highlights from the 2015 public opinion poll, Americans Speak Out About the Arts, conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Americans for the Arts. 

Ten Reasons to Support the Arts - 2017 update

A collaboration between AFTA’s National Initiative on Arts & Health and the Military and the Local Arts Advancement departments, Arts Deployed is a guide for arts organizations and artists interested in bringing creative arts programming to military and Veteran communities, their caregivers, and families.

This report, The Arts: A Promising Solution to Meeting the Challenges of Today’s Military—A Summary Report and Blueprint for Action (PDF, 1.27 MB) is intended to open the door for a national conversation and the development of a National Action Plan that will ensure the availability of arts interventions for our service men and women and their families, and integrate the arts as part of the “Standard of Care” in military clinical (VA and military hospitals) as well as programs in community settings across the country.

Approximately a quarter of service members deployed to war have PTSD. The psychological injuries of war, PTSD, moral injury, and related conditions, lead to other issues with employment and intimate relationships. There are conventional, evidence-based therapies that are effective—if the service member or veteran is able to tolerate the treatments. However, the clinicians in the military and veteran’s health-care systems are innovative. They have experimented with alternative ways to engage veterans. These include mindfulness, art therapy, stellate ganglion block, training

This essay by Naj Wikoff from the book Managing Arts Program in Healthcare focuses the need for programs to assist military personnel and their families in healing and how the arts offer effective solutions to help in the process of healing military experiences.

A growing body of research demonstrates how the arts – including literary, performing and visual arts as well as architecture and design – can greatly enhance the experience of healthcare, contributing to improved health outcomes, a better patient experience and lower healthcare costs. This unique book provides an overview of what the arts in healthcare can achieve and how to implement the arts in the most effective manner. Exploring possibilities for innovative program design and implementation – from healing gardens through public performances to bedside activities

Created out of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Military Healing Arts Partnership, this infographic tells us about the neurological, emotional and physical healing benefits of the Arts for the Military, for Youths as well as for Older Adults.

USA TODAY created this free special edition on Veteran Affairs in honor of Veteran's Day in 2015. The articles focused on meeting the needs or our veterans. Among the articles was a feature on how veteran's are using art thearpy as a way to heal from trauma.

USA TODAY created this free special edition on Veteran Affairs in honor of Veteran's Day in 2015.

"Findings indicate that the program addressed children’s needs at a number of points in time with six themes that have emerged from the data. These include, visits with the injured parent, self-expression, distraction and respite, parental engagement, normalization and empowerment. The findings lend support on ways an artists-in-residence program uses creative arts engagement to promote coping for children of hospitalized wounded service members and to encourage ongoing participation in the arts upon discharge.

"Student veterans represent a unique population on college campuses. Not only are they transitioning back to civilian life but also into a new role as college student. This paper describes the attempts of one university to aid in that transition through the means of expressive arts. A detailed description of the Paper Peace and glass pouring workshops and accompanying pictures is provided in this paper. In addition, reflections on the workshops and plans for future workshops are described."