May 7, 2026
The American Art Therapy Association honors excellence in the art therapy profession through its annual awards, honors, and scholarships.
Every year, we recognize AATA Members who have made strides in research, education, and their own practices through awards presented at the Annual In-Person Conference and a virtual ceremony.
The 2026 Call for Applications is open, and we hope you will take a moment to honor a colleague by nominating them or consider applying yourself to support your own career. Apply today!
Research Award
The Seed Grant Award recognizes excellence in research and supports emerging and accomplished art therapy researchers. Supported by the AATA Research Committee.
Honors
Supported by the Honors Working Group, the Honors Awards recognize Members’ outstanding achievements in education, client-facing work, and representing the art therapy field. The following honors are open to AATA Professional members:
- Distinguished Clinician Award
- Distinguished Educator Award
- Distinguished Service Award
- Jim Consoli Video/Film Award
- Outstanding Applied Creative Practice Award
- Rudolph Arnheim Award
- Other Form Award
Government Affairs Award
The Nancy Schoebel Distinguished Legislative Service Award recognizes the advocacy work of AATA professional Members.
Scholarships
Helping students and the newest professionals gain access to resources and networking opportunities as they enter the field—and helping develop the future of the profession. AATA Student Members enrolled in or accepted to undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs are eligible to apply.
- Dr. Ellen G. Horovitz Spiritual Art Therapy Scholarship (Up to $1,000) awarded to a promising practitioner or student for the specialization of Spiritual Art Therapy (within the mind/body practice).
- Pearlie Roberson Annual Award honors Pearlie Roberson, who was an African American artist and art therapy client. This award supports student or professional projects focused on multicultural art therapy practice.
- Irene Rosner David Medical Art Therapy Scholarship This scholarship focuses on understanding the role of the medical art therapist and is available to a student member of AATA who can demonstrate acceptance or enrollment in a graduate or doctoral art therapy program. Students receiving this award are strongly encouraged to attend the conference.
- Myra Levick Scholarship ($500). Students applying for this award are strongly encouraged to attend the annual conference.
- Laura Greenstone Memorial Scholarship (Up to $1,000) in support of masters-level African-American and Afro-Caribbean art therapy students.
- Student Conference Scholarships to attend the AATA Annual In-Person or Virtual Conference (3 scholarships available).
- New Professional Scholarships to the American Art Therapy Association Annual conference (3 scholarships available).
Apply Today!
Applications close on June 12, 2026, so please apply or nominate someone today! If you’d like to learn more about the 2025 Honors, Awards, and Scholarship recipients, click here.
For any questions, please check out our FAQ answers or contact info@arttherapy.org.