The Tennessee Arts Commission in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Veteran Services has awarded nine Tennessee Military, Veterans & the Arts (TNMVA) grants to organizations and their community partners throughout the state.

In Murfreesboro, the "Borderless Arts Tennessee" program received $7,000. This pilot project partners Borderless Arts with the Veterans Recovery Center at the Alvin C York Medical Center in Murfreesboro, and will include performances of My Father's War. There will be guided discussions, sequential interactive arts education workshops for veterans and a final presentation of veteran artwork.

The purpose of the grant is to encourage organizations that serve Tennessee's military members, veterans and their families to use the arts as a way to achieve their goals in providing services to military audiences and to encourage arts organizations to engage military audiences in outcomes-based activities that enhance Tennessee's communities.

The arts including music, writing, dance and other art forms can help military service members, veterans and their families express themselves while improving their quality of life. Individuals with opportunities to express themselves and share their stories can often better navigate the stress of relocating from one community to another, being separated from family members, or moving from military service to the civilian workplace.

"Stressors can impact everyone, but some unique challenges come from military service and the transition from uniform into the civilian life," Tennessee Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder said. "Outlets such as the arts and creative expression are valuable resources for navigating the transitions faced by service members, reservists, veterans and their families."