Veterans are given the opportunity to participate in creative self-expression as part of the overall recovery, and the Festival serves as a platform for recognition of their achievements in arts & crafts, music, dance and drama. It also raises awareness that creative expression while receiving treatment for disease, disability or life crisis can be tremendously therapeutic.

The Festival is a culmination of two separate competitions – "Vet Arts" created in 1981 at the McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia and a performing arts competition held at the Waco, Texas VA Medical Center, later to be called the “National Music Competition.” The two finally merged in 1989 to create the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival of today which continues to evolve; in 2005 creative writing was added to the arts division.

Help Hospitalized Veterans has been a national co-sponsor of this event since 1994.