Traumatic experiences in military service, social and emotional difficulties in transitioning to civilian life, constant moves, deployments: all these contribute to a lost sense of purpose and to social isolation. In our post-9/11 years, arts-based initiatives have emerged as among the most promising interventions for veterans and their families. Working in partnership with both veterans’ services organizations and local arts groups, ASAP understands the arts, military culture, and the centrality of trauma-informed work. Free, seven-week classes in comedy, improv, storytelling, writing, theater, and visual arts provide an outlet for expression, skill-development, and camaraderie. The community in DC and VA is now 1,000 veteran-artists strong. This work matters.
Learn More
