April 22, 2021 | Erin Partridge, PhD, ATR-BC, Honors Working Group Chair
This year, a new honor has been added to AATA’s annual awards that recognizes an art therapist (or current art therapy student) who has made remarkable creative contributions to the profession of art therapy as an active artist. I am pleased to announce the Outstanding Applied Creative Practice Award inspired by the life and work of art therapist, artist, author, and puppet maker, Dr. Lani Gerity Glanville.
Lani was a champion for the art in art therapy. She recognized the importance of engaging in one’s creative practice and using personal artmaking to foster meaning and purpose in one’s life, work, relationships, communities, and in the world. Lani was a frequent presenter at the AATA conferences and would often showcase her art at the Arts and Crafts Marketplace such as her handmade puppets, unique dolls, jewelry, art journals, zines, and signature “Morning Art Pages” that she created daily. Lani’s many contributions to the field include advances in the use of puppetry in art therapy and the early development of online methods for empowering connection and community. Lani’s use of digital platforms for sharing creativity, personal art-making, and art-based ideas inspired artists, art therapists, and others throughout the world.
For details about the qualifications and requirements for this new award, please see the application here. The Honor’s Working Group is now accepting applications through June 15, 2021.
By participating in the nomination process for any of the AATA awards below, you join others in recognizing colleagues for their commitment to art therapy. Please consider submitting an Honors Nomination and full supporting documents in one of these categories for a deserving peer.
Honorary Life Member Award (HLM): This is the highest award the American Art Therapy Association can offer to any member. The HLM is conferred upon Professional members of the Association in recognition of major contributions whose broad influence in the field of art therapy justifies the award.
Deborah Good, HLM, PhD, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPAT, LPCC, the 2020 HLM Award recipient. Read Dr. Good’s Featured Member profile and meet other 2020 award recipients.
Distinguished Clinician Award (DCA): This differs from the other awards in that the focus is on the nominee’s work with clients, rather than on service to the Association or contributions to the field of art therapy in general. The DCA is conferred upon Professional members of the Association for outstanding service in one of the following categories:
- Adult Services
- Adolescent Services
- Child Services
- Family Services
- General Services
Distinguished Educator Award (DEA): This is conferred on a Professional member of the Association in recognition of significant contributions to the education of professionals in the field of art therapy, specifically in the area of outstanding teaching and the development of innovative educational practices.
Distinguished Service Award (DSA): This is conferred on a Professional member of the Association in recognition of significant contributions to the field of art therapy, specifically in the area of the Association’s internal development as well as its relationship with other organizations.
Jim Consoli Video/Film Award: This is conferred on a member(s) of the Association in recognition of their contribution to the field of art therapy through the completion of a video/film of high quality that adds to the existing fund of knowledge about the profession.
Outstanding Applied Creative Practice Award: This is a special award designated for a Professional or Student member of the Association whose creative contributions as an active artist have significantly influenced the art therapy profession.
Rudolph Arnheim Award: This is a special award designated for a non-member of the Association whose contributions have significantly impacted the art therapy profession as a whole.
Other Form: This honors award may include, but is not confined to, recognition for long-term, productive involvement in the functions of the Association, outstanding achievements and/or contributions to the field of art therapy, including individuals who have advanced the profession in other parts of the globe. Outstanding therapists who have retired or are approaching retirement may be appropriate recipients. Posthumous awards may be included in this category. “Other Awards” are also meant to recognize meritorious contributions that may be unprecedented.
Stay safe, make art, and please direct all questions to either myself at honorschair@arttherapy.org or the AATA National Office at info@arttherapy.org