Allies in the Arts

Through its highly regarded Allies in the Arts Artists-in-Residence Project, ArtStream brings creative arts opportunities to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in association with the American Red Cross.  Wounded Warriors and military personnel, their families (including children) and military hospital staff alike benefit from active engagement in the arts. 

Allies in the Arts enriches the lives of participants through development of new creative skills, while helping them process their experiences and cope more effectively with stress.   

After a successful pilot in 2009, Allies in the Arts began regular programming in June 2010 with two arts sessions per week at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. In Fall 2011, the program was transitioned to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD as part of the merging of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC and National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD.

Sessions focus on music, visual arts, creative writing or narrative expression and storytelling in multimedia.

In conjunction with Judy Rollins, PhD, RN, ArtStream's Director of Hospital and Hospice Programs, Ermyn King, leads a team of specially trained and experienced arts practitioners in this innovative work.  Integral to the artists' approach is use of adaptive arts materials and processes ensuring access to Allies in the Arts activities for individuals with diverse disabilities.

Grounded in the latest research on the use and importance of the arts in healthcare, Allies in the Arts is demonstrating measured effectiveness, generating new research, and attracting national attention as a collaborative best practice and a replicable model.  

Funding from Grant-Based Organizations

Training

ArtStream partakes in varied training and presentation opportunities to educate the public about Allies in the Arts and improve the skills of Artists working with Wounded Warriors. Learn more on our training page.

Sustaining and growing the Allies in the Arts Project is one of ArtStream's highest priorities.  To learn more about how your support can help us, please contact ArtStream at info@art-stream.org or (301) 565-4567.