AATA Blog
Introducing LaToya Pegram, Conference Special Sessions Chair
April 21, 2021
I find that now more than before people are welcoming the idea of mental wellness. Whether people are being forced to connect within home or through extensive hours on screen, the pandemic has motivated many to self-reflect on values, goals, and loved ones. People have tapped into innovative and creative ideas that sparked new business ventures and ways to acquire one’s goals. The creation and exploration of genograms has been a preferred directive especially during this time as it not only teaches patterns of behavior but also provides insight to provoke awareness.
2021 Scholarship Application Call: Imagine Yourself as an Awardee!
April 8, 2021
The call for applications for AATA scholarships closes on May 1, 2021, so you still have time! The benefits of receiving a scholarship extend beyond dollars and cents. When you receive a national scholarship from the AATA, you experience increased networking opportunities from peers and colleagues. When you receive a national scholarship from the AATA, you experience increased networking opportunities from peers and colleagues. Read on to learn about how some of the recipients of 2020 scholarships benefitted from their award and imagine yourself as an awardee in 2021.
SURVEY: Reexamining the Impact of Coronavirus on the Art Therapy Profession
April 6, 2021
In May 2020, art therapists shared their experiences during the pandemic in the American Art Therapy Association’s (AATA) Coronavirus Impact Survey. Our report told the story of art therapists standing on the frontlines of the pandemic while coping with tremendous challenges. Now, a year into the pandemic, we are launching a follow-up survey to assess how art therapists are doing. While our last survey focused on the entire art therapy community (including students and educators), this survey is focused on clinicians’ work with clients.
De-Stressing Tips and Career Conversation – Atlanta University Center Consortium Students Learn About Art Therapy
March 25, 2021
Collaborating with the Atlanta University Center Art History + Curatorial Studies Collective to raise awareness about art therapy during the Spring 2021 semester, AATA was thrilled to offer programming to support and inspire the Atlanta University Center community during career week and the stressful time of midterms.
For Justice, In Solidarity: A Response from Two Emerging Art Therapists to the Rise of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Violence
March 22, 2021 | Elisha-Rio P. Apilado and Zachary D. Van Den Berg
Two related but equally concerning trends have emerged during the Coronavirus pandemic in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community: the rise in violence and the rise in mental health care needs. This response blog post is a plea for art therapists to intervene and recognize that our services can have life-or-death consequences, especially for the AANHPI community.
A Sloth Goes to the Hospital: A Children’s Book Helps Young Patients Learn about the Creative Arts Therapies
March 19, 2021 | Olivia Dobson
Sloth Goes to the Hospital: Introducing the Creative Arts Therapies, introduces the Creative Arts Therapy services at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and promotes normalization of the hospital experience. The storyline of the book is accompanied by my illustrations of Sloth and his interactions with art therapy, music therapy and dance/movement therapy while in the hospital.
New 2021 Member Demographics Report Available Now
March 19, 2021
AATA’s new 2021 Member Demographics Report is now available online! This report is intended to be a current, shareable snapshot of the AATA membership community and contains information collected through February 9, 2021.
Artwork by Art Therapist Wayne Ramirez Selected for Embracing Our Differences Exhibit
March 17, 2021
“Stand in My Shoes,” a painting by Wayne Ramirez, MFA, MS, ATR-R was selected for the Embracing Our Differences 2021 international art exhibition in Sarasota’s Bayfront Park. Embracing Our Differences is a nonprofit that seeks to “expand consciousness and open the heart to celebrate the diversity of the human family.”
Mississippi Art Therapists Successfully Organized to Defeat Bill to Repeal Art Therapy and Other Licenses
March 11, 2021
The American Art Therapy Association is pleased to announce that Mississippi House Bill 1315, which would have repealed the license for art therapists as well as several other occupations, died in committee on March 2nd, 2021.
2021 Art Therapy Licensing Bill Updates in Tennessee, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania
March 11, 2021
As state legislatures continue to focus on responding to the coronavirus pandemic, several art therapy licensing bills are advancing as a way to address the mental health crisis that has accompanied the virus. Read on for updates on legislation in Tennessee, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania in the 2021 legislative sessions!