Executive Director @ Imagine MKE // Amplifying the Arts and Creative Industries // Author // Squeaky Wheel // Veteran // Aspiring Keytar Hero 🎹
We’ve got work to do. On the line today: - NEA, NEH, and arts education funding - New DoD/DVA appropriations for arts-related therapy programs for veterans and active duty military members - Revision of tax code to allow deductions for individual charitable contributions, even when using a standard deduction Let’s do this! Imagine MKE Americans for the Arts #artsadvocacy #CreativeEconomy #capitolhill
Good to see Adam, and thank you. Former Guitars for Vets student here, now a Guitars for Vets instructor. I also teach a Recreational Therapy guitar class at a Vet Center. I've seen veterans start the class scowling, withdrawn, and isolated, only to see them laughing and cheering each other at the graduation ceremony. The arts have great value that doesn't always line up in a ledger.
If you aren't already, can you throw out some praise and support for military bands too? 👍
Good work Adam Braatz, and good luck! Thank you for advocating for Veterans
Get some (for America's Heroes), Adam my brother! 🔥💗🇺🇲🗡🙏🏽🙌🏽💪🏽👍🏽
Go get'em buddy
Military to VA (M2VA) Case Manager, Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System
10moGet after it, Adam! Art therapy programs are so important, as well as other types of experiential therapies, equine therapy in particular. Recreation therapies as a whole are unevenly employed throughout the VA healthcare system. Some facilities have great programs, some not so much. Just my personal observation, not an official VA position. I personally believe there is great potential for more formal relationships between nonprofits and the VA to provide experiential therapies. I don't know if it is on your agenda or not, but VA needs to fund research for experiential therapies to treat mental health conditions. Veterans are diagnosed with, and service connected for, any kind of mental health diagnosis out there, so PTSD shouldn't be the only focus. I understand the importance of using evidence-based treatments, but the VA needs to better recognize that evidence-based doesn't have to mean research conducted only with Veterans. Proud to see you representing Veterans and the arts!