Armed Services Arts Partnership

The Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP) is a nonprofit organization committed to building communities where veterans and their families can flourish through the arts. Its mission is to foster creative environments where these individuals can express themselves, develop skills, and form connections in a supportive setting. ASAP achieves this goal by offering a variety of programs such as classes, workshops, performances, partnerships, leadership development, and teaching artist training.

Classes at ASAP provide a seven-week deep dive into various artistic disciplines, including stand-up comedy, storytelling, improv, creative writing, theater acting, and visual arts. These sessions offer an outlet for creative expression, skill development, and camaraderie in a nurturing environment with personalized attention from instructors and peers. Workshops, ranging from three hours to two days, introduce veterans to various artistic disciplines taught by ASAP's veteran instructors, local arts organizations, and the Artist Council. The frequency and diversity of these workshops provide veterans with continuous opportunities to grow, create, and build connections.

Performances allow veterans to share their stories and talents with supportive audiences, boosting their confidence and bridging the military-civilian divide. ASAP's partnerships with local arts organizations ensure continuity of artistic engagement, providing veterans with opportunities to grow beyond ASAP's offerings and fostering a sustainable funnel of instructors who understand ASAP's culture and mission. The Leadership Development Program offers alumni the chance to mentor future class cohorts or become paid instructors, while the Teaching Artist Training equips arts organizations and teaching artists with the knowledge and skills required to support veterans and reduce barriers to arts engagement for this community.

In summary, the Armed Services Arts Partnership's mission is to create thriving communities for veterans and their families through the arts. It does this by offering classes, workshops, performances, partnerships, leadership development, and teaching artist training to encourage creative expression, skill development, and camaraderie in a supportive environment. By fostering these opportunities, ASAP helps veterans grow, build connections, and bridge the military-civilian divide.