The veteran art community enters 2026 with several major events already confirmed. The National Veterans Art Museum (NVAM) in Chicago — the only museum in the United States solely dedicated to art created by veterans — has programming running throughout the year, including exhibitions, community workshops, and its Artist Fellowship program.
The 2026 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is scheduled for June 9–14 in Columbia, South Carolina, co-presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Legion Auxiliary. This annual event brings together veteran medalists from VA facilities across the country to showcase work created through VA therapeutic arts programs.
The 2026 Veteran Art Triennial, titled “Resisting the Long Wars,” is planned for Chicago in partnership with the Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago Cultural Center, and Elmhurst Art Museum. Organized by curators Aaron Hughes, Mohamed Mehdi, Meranda Roberts, and Amber Zora, the Triennial highlights artists’ creative responses to war and militarism.
The Veterans Day Poster Contest for 2026 is also open, with a submission deadline of April 1, 2026. The theme is “Veterans Helping Veterans and Their Families.”
Source: nvam.org · department.va.gov/veteran-sports/national-veterans-creative-arts-festival · chicagogallerynews.com · news.va.gov
