September 30, 2024

We are thrilled to be hosting the 55th AATA annual conference in Pittsburgh, Oct. 69, 2024! As we prepared for the conference, we invited attendees to an Ask Me Anything Virtual Session. (You can watch that here) We are also sharing questions about the conference below, and their answers. To learn more about the conference, visit the AATA2024 website, take a look at the Program Guide, or check out this video from AATA National Office interns. If you have other questions, please contact the National Office at conference@arttherapy.org. 

Hope to see you in Pittsburgh! 

Registration

What are the differences between registration types? 

There are three registration options for this year’s conference. The is Full Registration package includes access to the core program sessions for all 3 Core Program Days of conference (Oct. 7 – 9). The One-Day and Two-Day passes include access to one or two Core Program Days of your choice. 

These registration options do not include events associated with additional fees, such as Full-Day and Half-Day Advanced Practice Courses, Workshops, and the Opening and Closing Receptions.  

What if I don’t want a Full registration but would like to attend additional events? 

You can purchase a One-Day or Two-Day Pass to attend the sessions on Core Program Days (Oct. 7 – 9). You can also purchase any of the following items separately: full-day or half-day advanced practice courses, 90-minute workshops, and the opening and closing receptions.    

I am not an art therapist but use art with my clients, can I come if I do not have clinical training in art therapy? 

Yes! The goal of AATA’s conference is to provide practicing art therapists with Continuing Education opportunities (more than 200 CE-eligible credits are available at AATA2024!). We also want to give art therapy students and other mental health professionals the opportunity to learn more about art therapy.  

Do I need to register for the sessions I want to attend prior to Conference starting? 

No, the only events that require you to sign up in advance are Workshops and Full-Day or Half-Day Advanced Practice Courses, which have limited seating.  

Check availability for Advanced Practice Courses here and workshops here.  

Do I have to register for the opening and closing receptions? 

Yes, to participate you must register separately for each of the receptions. Tickets are $40 and include heavy appetizers. Please purchase tickets through the registration portal here. Please note, tickets are limited to one per person, to purchase an additional ticket for a guest you would like to bring, please contact info@arttherapy.org.

This year’s theme for the Closing Reception is Mr. Rogers’s neighborhood, so bring your red cardigans and canvas sneakers to dance the night away… or channel your best Lady Elaine, X the Owl, or King Friday! 

Is it possible to change the Advanced Practice Course I am registered for?  

You can change the advanced practice course you registered for to another of the same length (e.g., full-day to full-day) only if the course you wish to switch to still has slots available. Please contact the AATA National Office for more information at conference@arttherapy.org

What if I can’t attend AATA2024 in Pittsburgh? 

We are offering a Virtual Conference Oct. 26 and 27, which will offer live, entirely unique content not offered at the AATA2024 in-person conference on a custom platform designed specifically for us. Attendees can earn up to 17 Continuing Education credits and those registered for the in-person conference in Pittsburgh will receive a 50% discounted rate for the virtual conference. 

What if I need to cancel my registration?  

Please contact the National Office Directly at info@arttherapy.org in order to receive a refund. All refund requests received before September 30th will be eligible for a refund of 50% of the registration fee. Requests received after September 30th will not be issued any monetary refunds. Rather, a credit of 50% of the registration fee will be offered, which can be applied to the registration at the next AATA Annual Conference (In-Person or Virtual) and/or any AATA online learning opportunity offerings. These credits are not transferable. 

If you are not interested in a refund, AATA can transfer your registration to another attendee. To do this, please submit a written request providing the name and contact to transfer to conference@arttherapy.org.  

You can read the full cancellation policy here 

Accessibility

Will there be sign language interpreters?  

Yes, in order to best accommodate our members, we ask that you reach out to conference@arttherapy.org to share the events you plan to attend so we can have an interpreter present. 

Will there be simultaneous translation into other languages?  

Unfortunately, we cannot offer any translation services at this time.   

Programming

There are a variety of session formats; some are large, and some are small. While the vast majority of sessions are open to everyone, some sessions are restricted to members of a community or educational background. 

This year, AATA is not printing a program guide and instead is using the Whova conference app as the schedule guide, which includes session details and presenter information. If you prefer a printed copy of the schedule, please print and bring the Schedule-at-a-Glace available here.

Plenary Sessions:

These sessions occur every morning and last about 90 minutes. They include presentations by guest speakers, including the conference’s keynote speaker Dr. Bertice Berry , who will be speaking on Tuesday morning, Oct. 8. In her presentation, The Bridge to Belonging, she will illustrate the importance of Belonging for both the professional and personal life of members of AATA. 

The Multicultural Plenary, Bridging the City Through Art, will take place on Monday morning, Oct. 7, and the Closing Plenary, Bridging Art Therapy throughout the World – Let us Connect, Support and Learn from our Global Network, will be held Wednesday morning, Oct. 9. (Plenaries are not CE eligible unless otherwise stated) 

Papers:

Lecture-style presentations that have between 1-3 presenters and last about 50 minutes. (Worth 1 CE credit each) 

Panels:

Conversational or discussion-based presentations that have between 3-5 presenters and last about 90 minutes. (Worth 1.5 CE credits each) 

Posters:

A graphic presentation of research by an art therapy student. Attendees are welcome to walk freely around the room and hear about as many research topics by students as they’d like. (Not eligible for CE credit) 

Master’s Level Supervision:

Restricted to practicing clinicians only. These sessions are an opportunity to seek feedback from clinicians working in similar concentration areas. Non-confidential, redacted documents may be brought to these collaborative sessions, but not artwork or other confidential materials. Please note these sessions are limited to the first 25 attendees to ensure meaningful discussion, so it is best to arrive early. 

Shared Interest Groups (SIGs):

An opportunity to network with professionals with similar interests and concentration areas. Take a look at the SIG meetings at AATA2024 and mark your calendar! (Not eligible for CE credit) 

Open Studio:

An opportunity to create art and connect with other attendees! Each day will highlight a non-traditional media or material, and we will be hosting mini-sessions on art making. (Not eligible for CE credit) 

What are the additional program offerings?  

Workshops:

Workshops are 30-seat classes taught by an instructor aimed at teaching participants a new technique through experiential learning. Participants will learn the technique and then implement it with special materials not available in Open Studio. (Worth 1.5 CE credits)

Advanced Practice Courses:

These courses are also limited to 3 seats but occur outside of the Core Program Days and will be held during pre-conference on Oct. 6 in either a Half-Day (3 hour sessions worth 3 CE credits) or Full-Day (7 hour sessions worth 7 CE credits) format.   

Arts & Crafts Marketplace:

The marketplace is open to all attendees to peruse other members’ art or other crafts and socialize while enjoying appetizers and a cash bar. The Arts & Crafts Marketplace will take place Monday, Oct. 7, from 6:30-8:00pm. The cost to purchase a table to sell your work is $40. Learn more or sign up here.   

Opening & Closing Receptions:

These receptions provide food and an opportunity to network with other professionals attending the conference. Join Nadia Paredes at the President’s Opening Reception on Sunday evening, Oct. 6, 7:30 – 9pm, and celebrate with colleagues and friends at the Mr. Rogers themed Closing Reception on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 8 – 11pm! Each reception must be registered for separately. Tickets are $40 and are available for purchase through the registration portal. 

Will there be a Night on the Town this year? 

The Conference Committee has taken into consideration the feedback we received about Night on the Town and opted instead to offer a more customizable experience. This year, we are debuting a more inclusive and accessible version to help our conference attendees take in the best of the city. Unlike Night on the Town, there is nothing to register for in advance, no meeting points or schedules dictated for you. Just all the information you need in this flexible “Choose Your Own Adventure” Guide to help you curate your own perfect “Night on the Town.” 

Feel free to share your Night on the Town plans in the Whova conference app to help connect with other like-minded explorers. 

Is the standard programming enough to fill an entire day, or will I have to purchase add-ons to fill my time?  

Yes, the programming included in the standard program is enough to fill your entire day! At any given time, there will be multiple events happening. Check out the schedule of events in the Program Guide.   

Will there be hands-on art making?  

There will be opportunities to make art in Open Studio, Advanced Practice Courses, Workshops, and occasionally in Shared Interest Groups. While hand-on art making will not happen in Papers or Panels, you are welcome to make art at any time. 

It’s my first conference, how can I prepare? 

Registered attendees received an invitation to download the Whova conference app September 25th, allowing you to create a profile and virtually meet presenters and other attendees before conference even begins! (Look for the email in your inbox sent from event-noreply@whova.io.) 

We encourage you to also attend the Newcomer’s Session on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 6:30 – 7:30pm prior to the Opening Reception. In addition, please watch the recording of our AATA2024 Ask Me Anything session to learn more about what to expect. 

If you’re a student, volunteering at the Open Art Studio is a great way to get to know other students and attendees. To register to volunteer, simply log in to your MyAATA profile and add an Open Art Studio volunteer session (or two!) to your registration. For any questions about volunteering or adding a volunteer time slot, contact Meredith at mashley@arttherapy.org.  

Which sessions are CE eligible?  

Sessions eligible for Continuing Education are identified with a session number beginning with a two-letter program track code followed by numbers (listed in parentheses after the session’s name). It is each attendee’s responsibility to determine whether their licensing or credentialing body will accept the continuing education earned at AATA’s annual conferences. 

    • Art Therapy Credentials Board: All educational sessions sponsored by AATA are accepted for continuing education by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB), except those sessions that are not identified with a session number, such as Shared Interest Group and Poster sessions. (e.g., RE18)
    • National Board for Certified Counselors: AATA is also a National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP Provider #5670) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for courses that meet NBCC requirements. To find sessions that meet NBCC requirements, look for an “N” next to the session code. (e.g., N-ES23 or N/NY-RE18)  
    • State of New York: AATA is approved by the State of New York as a provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCAT) in New York. Sessions that are eligible are identified with an “NY” code. (e.g., NY-SC203 or N/NY-RE18)

 How do I track and claim the CE credit I earn while at the conference? 

We’re updating the way you track and claim your Continuing Education (CE) credits to make the process easier. This year we will be using QR codes so that you can track the sessions you attend while on-site, rather than having to enter them manually after conference.

For Core Program Sessions, attendees may self check-in by using the QR code in each session room. (Just point your phone camera to the QR code and a link will appear.) 

For Ticketed Sessions (including workshops), there will be be AATA staff or volunteers on hand to scan the codes on attendee’s conference badges. 

After conference, you will receive an automated email shortly after conference letting you know the sessions you attended have been added to your dashboard. To claim your credits, simply navigate to your dashboard in the Online Learning Academy and complete a short survey to unlock your CE certificate for download or print.

Pricing

Why do I have to register in advance and pay for Advanced Practice Courses and Workshops?  

Workshops are limited to 30 people because they offer the opportunity to learn a new technique and create art. Your fee covers the cost of materials not traditionally available in Open Art Studio and a more hands-on learning experience with an instructor. 

Hotel/Accommodations

Where should I stay?  

We recommend staying at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh, where the conference will be held, for convenience, the hotel is offering a discounted rate if you book through our hotel block. Currently our hotel block at the Wyndham is full. If you are looking to share a room with an attendee who has already booked through our block, you can log in to the MyAATA Open Forum to look for posts requesting roommates or create a post yourself. 

You can also search for alternative Pittsburgh hotels in close proximity to the conference venue on this website. If you are not able to find a roommate or a hotel within your budget using that search tool, you can also check out additional options on Airbnb. 

How do I get to the hotel?  

We do not offer a shuttle from the airport to the hotel. Therefore, we recommend utilizing public transportation, taxi, or ride sharing. The Pittsburgh airport is approximately 30 minutes from the hotel by car or 45 minutes by public transportation. To utilize public transportation, take bus 28X (Airport Flyer Downtown-Oakland-Shadyside 5th Ave) 13 stops from the Airport pickup location to the Liberty Ave + Gateway #4 stop. The hotel is then a 3 minute walk. 

For those driving, valet parking is available at the hotel for $43/night on a first-come-first serve basis. Additional self-parking options are available within walking distance for a fee. 

Would anyone be interested in carpooling to the conference?  

Some AATA members are carpooling to the conference! We recommend you log in to the MyAATA Open Forum and post a carpooling request.    

Will food be provided? 

Each day, there will be a complimentary light breakfast at our “Breakfast with the Board” before the morning plenary sessions and cold lunches available for purchase. If you stop by the Arts & Crafts Marketplace and Author Showcase on Monday evening, Oct. 7, you can expect complimentary snacks and a cash bar. 

For those who have purchased tickets to the Opening or Closing Receptions, there will be heavy appetizers, and one drink included with your ticket, with a cash bar.  

Will there be food options for special diets?  

Yes! There will be marked vegetarian and gluten-free options available. Should you require another type of dietary accommodation, let us know via email at conference@arttherapy.org, and we will do our best to provide additional options. Food is also available after the conference at the hotel restaurants.   

Conference Atmosphere and Opportunities to Connect 

What is the dress code?  

Wear clothing that is professional but comfortable. In October, Pittsburgh temperatures typically range from highs of 65°F to lows of 45°F. Since both the weather and the hotel may be chilly, we recommend bringing a jacket or layers that you can easily add or remove to stay comfortable throughout the day. 

Is the conference family friendly?  

Yes, while family is not able to participate in the conference itself, there are a wide variety of museums and other family friendly activities to do in Pittsburgh. Please note, AATA is not able to provide child care or child care recommendations. 

In addition, please check out this guide created by the Conference Committee for arts and culture in Pittsburgh as well as this guide for nearby restaurants.  

Who will be there? Will there be time for socializing and networking?  

Currently we are expecting more than 1,000 attendees, which include everyone from art therapy students to retired art therapists, as well as well-known authors and academics in the profession, and related mental health professionals. The Opening and Closing Receptions, Shared Interest Groups, Open Art Studio, and Marketplace of Ideas Exhibit Hall, and the Arts & Crafts Marketplace are great places to network and socialize during the conference.   

There are also breaks throughout the conference—so look forward to chats in the hallway or between sessions! 

What’s this year’s Service Project? 

This year, the Conference Committee is excited to work with Dress for Success Pittsburgh, a nonprofit community organization with the mission to empower women who are entering and returning to the workforce.  

Dress for Success is asking AATA2024 conference attendees to bring with them for donation: 

    • Purses and handbags 
    • Size 14 and up seasonal tops, pants, and dresses 
    • Coats 
    • Size 9 and up shoes of all types (dress, casual, sneakers, non-slip) 
    • Jackets/hoodies of all sizes 
    • New/packaged socks and underwear

Will there be a Multicultural Committee Quilt workshop? 

Yes! This session supports the Multicultural Committee’s “Embracing Diversity: Piece by Piece” quilt project. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to complete a quilt block using an array of materials and media. The blocks will be incorporated into a “quilted” work of art. Join the Committee on Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 4 – 5pm, in the Open Art Studio (Room: King’s Garden 3-5) 

For those interested in a one-of-a-kind conference souvenir, you can enter to win the 2010 or 2024 Multicultural Quilt here. 

 

For Presenters

What technology will be provided? 

 Each room will have a laptop and screen. Presenters will also have access to the AV team on standby in case any technological issues arise. 

How do I bring my presentation? Should I send it to AATA beforehand? 

You should bring your PowerPoint presentations (or PDF slides) on a thumb drive. As a precautionary measure, please also be sure to email your slides to yourself so if anything happens, you can still access them.   

Do I need to bring a cord to connect my Apple laptop during our conference session? 

We will have PCs available in each room and recommend using them for the easiest experience. However, if you prefer to use your Apple laptop, we can accommodate that. The a/v techs will have dongles available, but it wouldn’t hurt to have your connection handy. 

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