Mission
Community Building Art Works builds bridges between veterans and citizens using the language of creative expression to promote empathy, foster understanding, and build authentic community.
We envision a world where shared artistic expression creates sacred experiences that fuel transformation, ignite connection, and build understanding across differences for veterans and citizens alike. Our vision is to be a driving force ensuring every individual finds their voice, purpose, and belonging.
We believe that art saves lives.
From the workshops we facilitate, to organizational decisions like who we choose to work with, our decisions are determined by what we believe as a board, a staff, and a unified team.
Values
Community. We believe in the transformative power of community built through acts of artistic expression and empathetic witnessing.
Service and Impact. Our core audience are veterans and military families–ordinary people who are called upon to do extraordinary things. We prioritize service in all its forms, and believe that each of us has the responsibility to make the world a little bit better, to find and fulfill purpose.
Belonging. We believe that greater diversity across ideology, socioeconomic status, age, race, and gender identity makes for a stronger, more resilient community and that the best way to find belonging is to give belonging.
Transformation. We believe that everyone is more than their worst moment, that each and every person is good enough to get better. We encourage and model apology and forgiveness and assume best intentions, and we speak up firmly against harmful rhetoric.
Artistic Excellence. We believe that everyone, regardless of formal education, benefits from high quality art and instruction. Our programs are facilitated by the leading artists of our time, who bring a knowledge and fluency with craft that is both accessible and empowering.
How We Help
Community Building Art Works (CBAW) connects veterans, healthcare providers & civilians through workshops led by professional artists who reflect the diversity of the population we serve.
Through online and in-person workshops led by professional artists, CBAW builds connected communities where veterans and civilians share creative expression, mutual understanding and support. Our art and poetry workshops have reached tens of thousands of service members, veterans, military family members, caregivers, and healthcare workers. CBAW encourages the use of arts as a tool for narration, self-care and socialization for those struggling with emotional and physical injuries caused by trauma.
Our prestigious faculty include award-winning writers, artists, and musicians who have lectured and taught at institutions from Columbia University to Stanford and have toured and performed worldwide. Learn more about our programs here.