UMD and The Phillips Collection Present International Forum in Washington

Academic and artistic partners The Phillips Collection and the University of Maryland (UMD) will present the International Forum in Washington on Thursday, November 14, 2019, 7 pm, highlighting a weekend of programming and outreach to commemorate Veterans Day and our nation’s veterans.

The Phillips Collection’s annual International Forum stems from the institution’s aim to catalyze global conversations through the language of modern art, a central unifying theme of the museum’s programming and exhibitions. These conversations deliberately stretch beyond the walls of the museum to consider urgent issues of our time—from racial identity, philanthropic impact, and climate change. This year’s program, aligned with a key institutional theme of art and wellness, brings together medical experts, veterans, academics, and artists to discuss the impact that art and art therapies can have on the lives of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other physical or psychological health conditions.

The program will include presentations by Jane Chu, Art Advisor for PBS, in conversation with Capt. Sara Kass, MD, Military and Medical Advisor, Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network. Also joining the conversation will be veterans Army Sgt. Zach Herrick, founder of American Heroes HeART and Ben King, founder of Armor Down.

“Creating dialogue around issues that impact our nation is a theme that runs deep within our mission, along with providing a platform for visitors to have meaningful and compelling experiences. This year’s International Forum aims to generate conversations around these topics and reflect our gratitude to the members of our armed forces for their service,” said Vradenburg Director and CEO Dorothy Kosinski.

"Conditions facing veterans like post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury are often studied and highlighted within science and medical disciplines. This year's International Forum is taking an innovative approach by bringing together experts from all fields–medicine, academia, arts, and veterans themselves–to engage in challenging conversations about these important topics," said UMD Senior Vice President and Provost Mary Ann Rankin

ABOUT JANE CHU

Jane Chu was the 11th chairperson for the National Endowment for the Arts and now serves as the Arts Advisor for PBS. During her four years at the NEA, she managed grants on local and state levels and the agency awarded $430 million over her tenure. She helped grow the NEA’s Creative Forces Military Healing Arts Network. Previously she worked at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Union Station Kansas City, the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, and the Kauffman Fund.

ABOUT SARA KASS

Sara Kass is Creative Force’s Senior Military and Medical Advisor. Dr. Kass retired from the Navy in March 2015 after serving as the Deputy Commander of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) at Walter Reed Medical Center. While serving at NICoE, she witnessed the healing power of the arts. Driven to increase access to these powerful services for military members and veterans as well as enhance research to understand their impact, Dr. Kass partnered with the NEA to develop and implement Creative Forces. Today she remains a strong advocate and leader for the initiative.

ABOUT ZACH HERRICK

Zach Herrick is a veteran, advocate, public speaker, and artist who has earned a Purple Heart. Shortly after joining the US Army and three months into his deployment in Afghanistan, his platoon was ambushed; amid the attack, Herrick was shot in the face. During his rehabilitation at Walter Reed Medical Center he used art to recover and heal from his trauma. Herrick now uses his artistic knowledge and passion to help other combat-wounded men and women reframe trauma through the act of creating art with his foundation American Heroes HeART.

ABOUT BEN KING

Ben King is a public speaker, community organizer, and veteran. After serving in Iraq as an Army Psychological Operations Team Leader, he founded Armor Down to help returning soldiers reintegrate into civilian life. He is the Senior Vice Commander for the Virginia Department of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and for six consecutive years has led Mindful Memorial Day at the Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery honoring post 9/11 fallen service members. He is also a contributing author in numerous books and publications including National Geographic. King earned a Purple Heart and the Meritus Military Service Medal during the Iraq War.

THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND PARTNERSHIP

The Phillips Collection and the University of Maryland partnership aims to dramatically transform scholarship and innovation in the arts. Together, the Phillips will expand its education programs, and reach new and diverse audiences while UMD will grow its established scholarship and academic programs within the arts and provide unparalleled research and education opportunities for UMD faculty and students.

Admission for the event is $12; free for students and Phillips members. Tickets for the event can be purchased at https://www.phillipscollection.org/events/2019-11-14-international-forum