AATA News
What’s the Buzz? The Latest Discussion on the MyAATA Community
September 6, 2018
Since launching the MyAATA Community last month, we’ve heard members weigh in on topics ranging from licensure to mentorship, research, professional identity, and beyond. If you’re a member and haven’t joined the discussion yet, now is your chance to connect with fellow members for discussion, guidance, or inspiration.
Virginia Board of Health Professions Votes to Recommend Licensure for Art Therapists to the Governor and Legislature
By Clara Keane | August 30, 2018 | Advocacy
On August 23, 2018 the Virginia Board of Health Professions (BHP) voted to recommend licensure for art therapists in the state of Virginia. Following years of advocacy work and a full year in the formal sunrise review process, a group of art therapists gathered to witness history unfold in the field of art therapy. After the BHP’s Regulatory Research Committee made their final recommendations and “concluded that all criteria [for state regulation] were met,” the Committee voted unanimously to “adopt a separate license for Art Therapists to practice in Virginia.”
The Hotel Block is Nearly Full! It’s Time to Get Registered!
August 23, 2018 | By Heidi Tournoux-Hanshaw
If you’ve been planning to register for the American Art Therapy Association’s 49th Annual Conference, to be held October 31 to November 4 in Miami, FL we wanted to let you know that the hotel block is nearly full. The conference Advanced Registration ends on September 28 – and so will the lower rates, so it’s time to get registered!
Time to Focus, Register and Save!
August 16, 2018 | By Heidi Tournoux-Hanshaw
As summer comes to a close, we wanted to remind you that the American Art Therapy Association’s 49th Annual Conference, to be held October 31 to November 4 in Miami, FL is going to be hot, hot, hot! So if you’ve been putting off registration – it’s time to focus, register and save! The expansive conference program, consisting of more than 260 sessions presented by 286 art therapy experts, offers a wide-range of up to 33 units of continuing education.
Join the Discussion – the New MyAATA Community is Now Online
August 9, 2018
Your MyAATA Community is here—come join the discussion! This week the AATA launched its online forum where members can explore, network, and engage with each other and with industry experts throughout the year.
Discount on Art Supplies: AATA Members Receive 25% off all AEM Hi Arts Products!
August 9, 2018
Do you find yourself constantly shopping for art materials to use with clients? Maybe you have an end-of-summer art project to complete. You’re in luck! AATA members now receive a 25% discount on all AEM Hi Arts products. Login to MyAATA and look under “Funding & Art Supplies” to find the exclusive AATA member discounts.
The AATA and the ACA Issue Joint Response to the Attorney General’s Remarks on Mental Health in Higher Institutions
August 2, 2018
On July 24th the Attorney General Jeff Sessions addressed an audience of high schoolers at Turning Point USA’s High School Leadership Summit and accused many higher institutions of “doing everything they can to create a generation of sanctimonious, sensitive, supercilious snowflakes.” In his remarks, he listed therapy dogs, art materials – specifically coloring books and playdough – and art activities, such as encouraging students to “draw about their feelings,” as examples. Read the speech transcript here.
The American Art Therapy Association and the American Counseling Association (ACA) collaborated in writing a formal response, asserting that his “remarks were highly misguided and they further stigmatize young people who seek mental health services and ways to manage stress at a critical transitional time in their lives.”
AATA Elections Now Open! (August 1-31, 2018)
August 2, 2018
All voting members are encouraged to participate in the election of volunteer leadership positions with the American Art Therapy Association. Voting opened Wednesday, August 1 and will remain open until Friday, August 31 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT). All voting members should have received an e-mail from Association Voting with instructions to cast an online vote. If you have not received this message and you have questions about the voting process or would prefer to receive a paper ballot, please contact the AATA National Office via phone (888-290-0878) or e-mail (info@arttherapy.org).
Save the Date: New MyAATA Online Member Community Opens August 8
August 2, 2018
We are excited to announce the launch of the online MyAATA Community forum on Wednesday, August 8th! The MyAATA Community is a platform for members to explore, network, and engage with each other and with industry experts throughout the year. We invite you to login to MyAATA beginning next Wednesday to join with your colleagues in building this new community. Hope to see you there!
In Memoriam: Sister Kathleen Burke
August 2, 2018
It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing of Sister Kathleen Burke, OSU, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC on July 24, 2018 at the age of 81. In 1986, Sister Kathleen founded the Master of Arts in Art Therapy Program of Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio and was its Director until 1999. She continued teaching part-time until her “retirement” in 2016. As an Ursuline Sister, art therapist, professional counselor, award winning photographer, and educator, Sister Kathleen’s life ministry included using art to enrich the quality of life for others and to inspire countless with her teaching, creativity, and service.