AATA News
Featured Member: Tuesdai Johnson
“Being an art therapist is such an exciting and rewarding profession. The profession of art therapy works as we all know, but the impact it has on the BIPOC, and unserved communities is what keeps me interested in doing the work.”
— Tuesdai Johnson, MS, ATR
Consider Becoming an ACATE Council Member!
The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) is currently seeking applications and nominations for two Educator and one Practitioner positions that will become open on July 1, 2024.
Creative Arts Therapies Week 2024
Creative Arts Therapies Week, the third week of March, is an opportunity to spread awareness about art therapy and other life-enhancing mental health professions!
Barbie Just Embarked on a New Career as an Art Therapist!
Mattel’s Barbie brand just launched its first mental health career—and they chose to show Barbie as an art therapist! At a time when children are facing a multitude of mental health crises, AATA hopes Art Therapy Barbie will give parents and caregivers an opportunity to talk about mental health with kids and explore the power of art-making in wellness.
Chapter Advocacy Updates: Accomplishments from 2023 and 2024
Advocating for licensure isn’t just about advocating for practicing art therapists: it’s about calling for increased access to mental health professionals and keeping the profession sustainable for future art therapists. Here’s a look at AATA chapter advocacy and how you can help.
Celebrating Black History Month
Each February, AATA celebrates Black History Month and recognizes Black art therapists who served as pioneers for the art therapy profession and our association.
Art Therapy Programs in Illinois and Pennsylvania Receive CAAHEP Initial Accreditation
CAAHEP has awarded initial accreditation to the Art Therapy master’s programs at Adler University in Illinois and Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, effective January 18, 2024.
Join Us for a Virtual CE Session, Exploring Art Therapy Groups Among African American/Black Women
Join us March 5, 2024, for a virtual CE session, Exploring Art Therapy Groups Among African American/Black women from Research to Program Implementation, with Michelle “Starr” Starling, M.Ed., MA, LPC, ATR-P. This session will focus on the development and implementation of an art therapy program designed to support the mental health and wellness of African American/Black women.
Featured Member: Michelle “Starr” Starling
Currently, I am working with African American women. I dedicated my thesis work towards learning more about their relationship with the mental health community and how to remove their help-seeking barriers in order to introduce them to art therapy.” — Michelle “Starr” Starling
Representing Art Therapy in a First-Ever National Convening on Arts and Health
By AATA President Nadia Paredes, MA, LMFT, ATR
I had the privilege to attend both the White House and NEA Summit on Arts and Culture and the Arts and Health Pre-Summit Caucus. These first-of-its-kind convenings brought together policymakers, arts advocates, and artists to collaborate on how art can contribute to the health and well-being of individual and communities.