AATA News
Honoring Native American Heritage Month
November 19, 2020
National Native American Heritage Month is a reminder each year to celebrate Native American people, arts, culture, and heritage. There are 3 million indigenous people in the United States, belonging to 574 federally recognized Indian Nations (variously called tribes, nations, bands, pueblos, communities and native villages) in the United States. (See map). This year, we want to join our mental health allies in a call to address the health disparities that Native American/Indigenous people are experiencing, particularly during the Coronavirus pandemic.
In Memoriam: Cliff Joseph
November 19, 2020
We are deeply saddened to have learned of the passing of Cliff Joseph, ATR, art therapy pioneer, artist, and activist. He died on November 8, 2020 at the age of 98 in Chicago. We invite colleagues, friends, and students of Mr. Joseph to share moments, pictures, and other notes in remembrance to be included in an upcoming article.
Congratulations to the 2020 Art Therapy Award Recipients!
November 19, 2020
The American Art Therapy Association congratulates this year’s distinguished recipients of awards in art therapy leadership, scholarship, research, clinical practice, and legislation. We also thank our generous funders whose contributions make it possible for AATA to offer these prestigious awards each year.
7 Facts to Know on Veterans Day
November 11, 2020
For art therapists, Veterans Day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the mental health of veterans and service members. Among veterans who have served since the September 11, 2001, attacks, approximately one in five experiences mental health issues, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety, according to the RAND Corporation.
The American Art Therapy Association Congratulates President-Elect Biden And Vice President-Elect Harris
November 9, 2020
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) congratulates Joe Biden on winning the 2020 election as the next president of the United States, and Kamala Harris for becoming the first Black woman—the first woman—and the first Indian American elected to one of the two highest offices in the land. The historic significance of her election cannot be overstated.
#AATA2020 Highlights from Days 1 and 2 — See you on Day 3!
November 5, 2020 |Susan Boxer Kappel
A huge thank you to all who are attending, participating in the chat features during sessions, and showing up (on camera) for the networking sessions! Check out some of our favorite #AATA2020 moments on social media so far, and there is still time to register for Day 3!
AATA President Speaks to Art Therapists’ Role in Covid Recovery during NY Senate Meeting
October 21, 2020
AATA President Margaret Carlock-Russo, EdD, LCAT, ATR-BC, ATCS, spoke about the healing benefits of art therapy in times of trauma during a New York State Senate Virtual Public Meeting on October 21, 2020. New York State Senator Jose M. Serrano, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, opened the “Arts & Mental Health” panel recognizing that “the arts have restorative value for our mental health, as we navigate anxieties, grief, trauma, and other emotional challenges roused by the COVID pandemic.”
We Invite You to Participate in a DEI Listening Session
October 20, 2020 | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) has opened registration for the first three of twelve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Listening Sessions. Similar to focus groups, these listening sessions are facilitated discussions with groups of art therapists, students, and other stakeholders in the art therapy community. Our goal is to learn through hearing diverse experiences, views, and responses to questions about DEI in the field.
Vote with Mental Health in Mind — 2020 AATA Guide
October 19, 2020
As mental health professionals, art therapists are closely connected with the needs of the communities they serve, especially now during the Coronavirus pandemic. Election Day is an opportunity to be a champion for your clients—and an advocate for mental health and the values that are core to our profession.
The Detailed Program for the AATA Virtual Conference is Here!
October 8, 2020 | Susan Boxer Kappel
We’re thrilled to share the detailed program for AATA’s 2020 virtual conference, Art Therapy Connected: Advancing Mental Health in a Virtual World. The 3-day program provides 57 hours of learning and continuing education. A very special thank you to our presenters who prepared their content at least a month earlier than usual in order to be recorded for the conference!