Sept. 19, 2026 | By the AATA Nominations Committee

The Board plays a role in every major decision AATA makes — from advocacy priorities to how we support the next generation of professionals to how we invest in the future of the field. This year, you have the chance to help shape those decisions.

The American Art Therapy Association’s Call for Nominations for association leadership is now open. AATA is accepting applications for Board Treasurer, four Board Director positions, and a Nominations Committee Member.

“Being on the Board has allowed me to engage more deeply with Members, gain a deeper understanding of our profession’s current state and future path, and connect to wonderfully capable and committed colleagues. Working together to find solutions to challenges and learn from differing perspectives fosters deep camaraderie and teaches invaluable skills that follow you throughout your career.

While the work is real and the challenges must be met, there is also room for moments of joy, the celebration of connection, and the deep satisfaction that comes from hard work.”

— Raquel Farrell-Kirk, AATA President (2026-2028)

Want to learn more? Join members of the Nominations Committee for an informal discussion on Sept. 30, 7pm. Register and we’ll send you the Zoom link.

Ready to get started? Submit a nomination or self-nomination through the 2026 Call for Nominations Form by October 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. You’ll log in with your MyAATA credentials, so it’s worth double-checking that your membership is active before you begin.

As a Board Member you would:

• • Shape national strategic goals and ensure they align with our mission
  • Oversee financial management and support ethical organizational growth
  • Understand AATA’s policies, structure, and programs—as well as its collective purpose
  • Collaborate with staff, committees, and chapters to strengthen our professional community
  • Serve as a visible leader and ambassador for the field of art therapy
  • Participate in board meetings and related projects

Separately, the Nominations Committee also has one elected seat open. As a Nominations Committee Member, you’d help build the slate of candidates who run for these roles — encouraging qualified colleagues to step up and ensuring the ballot reflects the full breadth of our membership.

Whether you bring clinical experience, organizational skills, financial insight, or a deep commitment to advocacy, your voice is essential to where this profession goes next.

Learn more about the Director, Treasurer, and Nominations Committee Member roles and responsibilities here and in this FAQ.

The Nominations Committee is looking for broad representation of AATA’s membership and the art therapy community to help propel the association and profession forward. The following qualifications will be taken into consideration:

• • An AATA Professional Membership for no less than one year
  • At least three years of professional experience in the field of art therapy
  • Availability and willingness to serve
  • Prior leadership experience in the art therapy field (preferred, not required)

The Nominations Committee is accepting nominations for AATA members to serve two-year terms (2027–2028) as four Board Directors, one Treasurer, and one Nominations Committee Member.

To nominate yourself or a qualified candidate, submit a nomination form here by October 12. The form is powered by Slayte but uses your MyAATA credentials to log in — if you’ve used the system before, it may auto-complete your contact information.

To complete a nomination, you’ll submit a 200-word statement about why you (or the person you’re nominating) want to join the Board or Nominations Committee. Self-nominations also require a CV upload.

Once the Nominations Committee reviews all applications, we’ll invite selected candidates to complete a candidate questionnaire, shared on AATA’s website and via email with voting members, along with candidate bios.

Voting opens in mid-November for 30 days. All AATA professional members in the U.S. and internationally — Professional, New Professional, HLM, and Retired Members — are eligible to vote, as are Master’s and Doctoral Art Therapy Student Members, per a 2022 bylaws change.

Questions about the nominations process? Contact us at nominations@arttherapy.org. Technical trouble with Slayte? Reach Adele Turner on the AATA National Team at aturner@arttherapy.org.