Tacoma-area veterans and military-connected residents can now apply for state grants to fund arts programming and personal creative projects.

The Washington State Arts Commission, known as ArtsWA, opened applications Aug. 19 for two grants under its Wellness, Arts, and the Military program. Organizations that offer arts programs to military-connected communities can apply for up to $20,000 in general operating support.

Individual veterans and service members can seek up to $3,000 for personal art practice through a separate Self-directed Art Practice grant. Both close Sept. 30.

The grants come as ArtsWA pushes deeper into arts-as-medicine. In July, the commission signed a two-year, $250,000 contract with Atlanta-based SocialRx to build social prescribing into Washington's healthcare system, the Seattle Times first reported.

The practice lets providers refer patients dealing with isolation, depression or anxiety to community activities like pottery classes, concerts or dance workshops rather than relying solely on clinical treatment.

Seattle nonprofit Path with Art is providing funding and project management for the pilot. ArtsWA said in a statement that it expects no state money will be used.

The pilot will launch in King County first. No timeline for expansion to Pierce County or the South Sound has been announced, though ArtsWA's stated goal is to reach all Washington counties.

Because of the planning involved, the commission said the first prescriptions likely will not be written until the contract's second year.

Tacoma veteran Shända De Anda illustrates what the program aims to scale. After 24 years of military service, De Anda struggled with hypervigilance in public spaces.

Her therapist suggested she join a choir through Path with Art. Five years later, she said the experience helped her attend a large-venue concert with her son for the first time.

"I felt so unsafe in the world … I've gained my confidence back," De Anda told the Seattle Times.

De Anda is now studying to become a marriage and family therapist at Pacific Lutheran University.

SocialRx CEO Chris Appleton resigned in 2019 from a prior nonprofit after an investigation substantiated a pattern of unprofessional conduct and financial mismanagement. ArtsWA said it conducted due diligence and spoke with multiple states that have worked with SocialRx.

Grant award notifications are expected Dec. 1. Applications and details are available at artswagto.submittable.com.