FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 5, 2026
National Grant Expands Free Arts Programs and Veteran Leadership Across Oklahoma
SPARK! Creative Lab’s L.O.V.E. initiative connects introductory workshops, sustained creative cohorts, optional public sharing, and paid Veteran leadership
Veterans bring the mission. Artists bring the medium. Oklahoma is invited to listen.
Left: Retired U.S. Marine and musician Kevin Jamison leads a SPARK! rhythm workshop. Right: Retired U.S. Navy Veteran Zack Milner leads a storytelling workshop. Photos by Zachary Burns; participants photographed with consent.
OKLAHOMA CITY (August 5, 2026) — SPARK! Creative Lab has received a $10,000 Creative Forces® Community Engagement Grant to expand free arts workshops, sustained creative cohorts, and leadership opportunities for Veterans across Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma City-based nonprofit is one of 48 organizations nationwide receiving a 2026–27 grant. More than $888,000 was awarded to community-based arts projects addressing the experiences, challenges, and strengths of military-connected communities.
“More than a quarter-million Veterans call Oklahoma home. They are not a niche community—they are part of the fabric of our families, workplaces, and communities,” said Nicole Poole, founder and executive director of SPARK! Creative Lab and the daughter of an Army Veteran-turned-artist. “Supporting Veteran well-being matters—and so does bringing Veteran voices, creativity, and leadership into public life. This work began with a simple question: How do we move beyond saying ‘thank you for your service’ and start listening to—and learning from—the people who served? L.O.V.E. is our answer.”
The arts give cultures tools to tell their own stories. Through L.O.V.E., Veterans can try a low-pressure workshop, develop work with a cohort, share it publicly if they choose, or advance into paid artistic roles. Ongoing programming builds continuity and trust; artists bring the tools, and Veterans decide what to express. No prior experience or personal disclosure is required.
Upcoming Veteran-Centered Programs
August 15: Storytelling and mask painting at Skiatook Art Gallery, hosted by Wounded Warrior Project and Grand Canyon University
August 27: Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System Creative Arts Festival in Tulsa
September: Oklahoma City VA Medical Center and the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Red Rock in Oklahoma City
Veterans and families: Find free workshops, accessibility information, and participation details at sparklahoma.org/schedule.
Veterans Creating What Comes Next
Retired U.S. Navy Veteran Zack Milner entered SPARK!’s programming with an interest in storytelling but no experience leading arts workshops. Mentored by OKC StorySlam founder Molly O’Connor through a Veteran-civilian artist cohort, Milner developed original activities and began facilitating workshops for fellow Veterans. He now leads a Veteran storytelling cohort of his own.
“From being welcomed with open arms to being given the opportunity to shine, this experience has been a catalyst for my growth and, in turn, has helped me support others in their own journeys,” Milner said.
Retired U.S. Marine and musician Kevin Jamison models another form of Veteran leadership. Jamison recently led a 21-session songwriting cohort in which three Veterans received sustained artistic guidance and peer support as they developed original work.
“Artistic leadership is also about service, not just expression,” Jamison said. “Military Veterans in the arts community bring strong leadership skills and are needed to build stronger community ties for Veterans in the arts.”
L.O.V.E. connects introductory Connecting the Dots workshops with small cohorts in disciplines such as songwriting, storytelling, visual art, movement, poetry, and spoken word. Veteran and civilian artists lead the programming together, creating opportunities for Veterans to participate as artists, collaborators, facilitators, and cultural guides.
The program is non-clinical and complements—but does not replace—clinical care and other Veteran services. During the 2026–27 project period, SPARK! plans to present at least 10 introductory workshops and three sustained cohorts, serving at least 75 Veterans and other military-connected participants.
With each participant’s explicit consent, Oklahoma City filmmaker Zachary Burns will direct a short documentary centered on the project’s creative process, collaboration, and Veteran leadership. Participants will determine whether they are filmed and what, if anything, they share.
The model builds on demonstrated results. During its most recent full year, SPARK! delivered 49 workshop sessions, generating 244 participant engagements. Among 66 voluntary survey respondents, 100% felt welcomed and respected, 94% felt more connected to others, and 99% said they would participate again.
The long-term success of L.O.V.E. will be measured not only by attendance, but by how many Veterans are resourced, paid, mentored, and trusted to create what comes next.
About SPARK! Creative Lab
Founded in 2021, SPARK! Creative Lab is an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit organization that employs the arts for individual and social well-being. SPARK! brings Veterans, their families, Oklahoma artists, and community members together through music, movement, theater, visual art, spoken word, film, and participatory creative practice.
Since 2021, SPARK! has produced more than 200 events and workshops reaching over 12,000 participants and audience members across eight Oklahoma communities. Learn more at sparklahoma.org.
About Creative Forces
Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs that seeks to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for military and Veteran populations exposed to trauma, as well as their families and caregivers.
L.O.V.E. (Listen to Oklahoma Veterans’ Expression) is funded in part by Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program, managed by Mid-America Arts Alliance, supports non-clinical, community-based arts engagement for military-connected populations. Learn more at arts.gov/CreativeForces.
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Media Contact: Nicole Poole | nicole@sparklahoma.org | (917) 678-2786 | sparklahoma.org