Rep. Sykes Announces $9,000 in Federal Funding for Military and Veteran Art Recovery Program in Stark County
CANTON, OH — U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced that the National Endowment for the Arts awarded the Canton Museum of Art, in partnership with the Military and First Responders Center at Pegasus Farm, $9,000 in federal funding for an art program to mitigate trauma in military-connected populations in Stark County. The program is called the Alpha-Romeo-Tango (ART) Program and is now in its second year.
“Ohio’s 13th Congressional District is home to many resilient and courageous servicemembers, veterans, and their families,” said Rep. Sykes, “As a strong advocate for the well-being of our military and veteran communities, I am pleased to announce this funding for Canton Museum of Art, in partnership with Pegasus Farm/Military and First Responders Center. By supporting the healing power of the art, we can provide our military-connected populations with the innovative and well-rounded care they deserve.”
“The ART Program aligns directly with our mission to make art and its inspiration accessible and meaningful for all. The program uses the creative process for participants to be inspired, relax, create, and have a finished work of art to reflect upon with pride. ART’s clay classes allow participants to feel connected, like they belong to a larger community — and through art, to feel like they can share their stories. It’s all about self expression, pride, and connectedness. We are proud to serve those who serve us,” said Canton Museum of Art Director & CEO Max Barton II.
With this funding, the Canton Museum of Art will offer a series of free art classes for Stark County veterans, active-duty service members, and members of the National Guard and Reserve. At the end of the program, there will be a community exhibit featuring the artwork created by individuals in the program.
The Creative Forces Community Engagement grant from the National Endowment for the Arts supports community-based arts projects that address the distinct experiences, challenges, and strengths of military-connected individuals through the arts. These grants from the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance support non-clinical, military-connected projects with the goals to advance creative expression, build social connectedness, improve resilience, and support successful life transitions for our military, veterans, their caregivers, and families. The program continues to expand the work of arts engagement into more communities nationwide.