Chicago—(ENEWSPF)—March 3, 2014. The National Veterans Art Museum (NVAM) was announced today as a finalist for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for service to the community. “The NVAM fosters a greater understanding of the real impact of war,” said Levi Moore, Executive Director of the NVAM. “Through exhibition of our collection, arts education and other programming, we foster a space for dialogue over war and provide veteran artists an outlet for expression.”
“Museums and libraries serve as civic engagement centers, providing invaluable educational, social, and skill-based resources to their communities,” said Susan Hildreth, director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “The 2014 National Medal finalists have gone above and beyond to create an environment that allows individuals to learn, play, connect, and remain curious.”
In October of 1981, a group of Vietnam veterans put together an exhibition of artwork based on their war experiences. The success of that show led to the establishment of the Vietnam Veterans Art Group. Fifteen years later, with a building donated, the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum was launched. In 2003, the museum began accepting work by veterans of all conflicts and, in 2010, changed its name to the National Veterans Art Museum. The museum made its home in Jefferson Park in 2012.
While the NVAM is one of the only museums in the world to collect and exhibit artwork exclusively created by veterans in a permanent exhibition, it also provides a great deal of programming for veterans and their families and for the community at large. The NVAM provides guided tours, teacher resources, workshops for students and student groups, and family-focused interactive programs. Art programming that explores the impact of war is a shared experience for veterans and civilians. Creative community workshops take place the second Saturday of every month. Upcoming workshops focus on mask-making and what we choose to hide behind; music making (from bugle call to iPods, music is everywhere to a service member); and learning techniques to move from drawing to painting. The museum also offers a free after-school drop-in arts education program every Friday.
The National Veterans Art Museum, located at 4041 N. Milwaukee Avenue, inspires greater understanding of the real impact of war with a focus on Vietnam. The museum collects, preserves and exhibits art inspired by combat and created by veterans. The National Veterans Art Museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and exhibition of art inspired by combat and created by veterans. It is home to more than 2,500 works of art by more than 270 artists. Personal narratives and artistic representations of war (including paintings, photographs, sculptures, poetry and music) provide transformative learning opportunities in art, history and civics.
Visit online at www.nvam.org or Facebook.com/NationalVeteransArtMuseum
Source: nvam.org
