AATA Blog
The NEA Once Again Faces Proposed Elimination: Join Us in Requesting a $12.5 Million Increase
March 28, 2019 | Advocacy
On March 18, President Trump released his FY 2020 budget recommending, for the third consecutive year, complete termination of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In the last two fiscal years, Congress has firmly rejected this proposal − opting instead for minor increases.
Ask Me Anything! Featuring Dr. Cheryl Doby-Copeland
March 6, 2019 | #WeAreArtTherapists
Cheryl Doby-Copeland, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, LMFT, HLM joins us at the AATA National Office to answer your questions, and talk about her perspectives on art therapy practice, addressing diversity, working with trauma, and more.
Creative Forces Veteran Testifies on behalf of the AATA before U.S. House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee
February 28, 2019 | Advocacy
On Tuesday February 26, 2019 Christopher Stowe Master Gunnery Sergeant, USMC (ret.) testified on behalf of the AATA alongside Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch before the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. They urged the subcommittee to fund the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) at $167.5 for FY 2020, a $12.5 million increase from FY 2019.
The History of the Annual Pearlie Roberson Multicultural Quilt Project
February 28, 2019 | By Delora Putnam-Bryant
Quilts and quilt making in the African American culture can be traced back to the times when black Americans were enslaved. There are several accounts of how slaves incorporated the techniques of quilting from their native land’s fabric making process, and enslaved Americans passed down quilting to other slaves. Materials gathered from scraps of fabric that could no longer be used, were repurposed to create quilts.
Laura Greenstone’s Vision for the African-American and Afro-Caribbean Art Therapy Student Scholarship
February 21, 2019 | By Jack Harris | #WeAreArtTherapists
Laura Greenstone died on July 18, 2018 suddenly, but not necessarily unexpectedly. In the year before she died, she had begun increasingly to talk about where she had been and where she was going, as well as where her profession had been and where it was going. Together we began to take steps to secure Laura’s work and legacy as we began some intensive estate and disability planning. As part of these efforts, Laura made a bequest of $25,000 to the American Art Therapy Association for the establishment of a scholarship to support masters-level African-American and Afro-Caribbean art therapy students.
Featured Member: Cheryl Doby-Copeland, 2018 Recipient of Honorary Lifetime Member Award
February 7, 2019 | #WeAreArtTherapists
During the annual conference, the AATA was honored to bestow the 2018 Honorary Lifetime Member (HLM) award to Cheryl Doby-Copeland, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, LMFT, in recognition of her vast contributions to the field and Association. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated excellence in leadership, clinical work, research, character, and mentorship.
Share Your Memories, Moments, and Milestones of Art Therapy on Social Media
January 17, 2019 | #WeAreArtTherapists
We’re kicking off our 50th anniversary year with a fun, collaborative social media project celebrating the art therapy profession! Already, people have shared dozens of remarkable personal stories about their journey to art therapy, as well as heartfelt memories and experiences being an art therapist.
AATA Conference Attendees Send Stars of HOPE Following the Tallahassee Yoga Studio Shooting
January 3, 2019 | By Stephanie Wray
Every year at the annual conference of the American Art Therapy Association, attendees are invited to create artwork in the open studio — a wonderful way to step back and process during the intensive days of learning. At the 2018 conference held in Miami, attendees were invited to join Stars of HOPE, USA in painting 12-inch wooden stars with a message of hope.
U.S. Embassy in Japan Awards Grant to Pilot Art Therapy Program
November 15, 2018 | International
In Tokyo on Tuesday, November 13, Second Lady Karen Pence announced a $55,000 grant from the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo to support a pilot art therapy program at the University of Tsukuba. Congratulations to International AATA Member Cheryl Okubo, ATR-BC, recipient of this prestigious grant!
Student Art Gallery in Miami International Airport Spreads Awareness for the Role of Art Therapy in Public Schools
November 8, 2018 | Children | Education
Art therapists who traveled from around the world to Miami for the American Art Therapy Association’s 49th Annual Conference received a warm welcome, beginning with their arrival at the Miami International Airport (MIA). In addition to the billboard and signs in the airport welcoming attendees, MIA hosted a gallery of student artwork from the Miami-Dade County Public School’s Clinical Art Therapy Department.