Position Statements
AATA Statement on the Developing Coronavirus Pandemic
March 12. 2020
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) shares in the concerns we are facing as a nation and a global community regarding the dynamic developments of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We stand with our art therapy community and people around the world, keeping everyone’s health—physical and emotional—as our number one priority.
AATA Releases Letter Condemning the Government’s Unethical Practice of Using Confidential Therapy Notes against Detained Children in Court
February 24, 2020
On February 24, 2020, AATA President Dr. Margaret Carlock-Russo sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) condemning the current practice of using notes from required therapy sessions against detained youth in court – a clear breach of patient confidentiality and abuse of power.
AATA Board of Directors Approves Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Mission and Vision Statements
September 5, 2019
As part of the AATA’s ongoing commitment to increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I), the AATA Board of Directors approved the following DE&I Mission and DE&I Vision statements to guide our work incorporating DE&I into all aspects the Association.
A Message of Support and Call for Action in the Wake of Mass Shootings
August 8, 2019
Our hearts are broken for the communities of Dayton, Ohio, El Paso, Texas, and Gilroy, California, where shooters took the lives of 34 people and injured dozens more in the course of one week. In the United States, mass shootings are a public health crisis – enabled by easy-access to assault weapons and fueled by hate, racism, and bigotry. To begin to address this epidemic, we must focus on evidence-based solutions to reform our gun laws and support the mental health needs of our communities. We reject rhetoric from the President and others that incorrectly links mental illness with mass shootings and further stigmatizes those with mental health challenges.
Call To Action: Humanitarian Crisis at the Border
July 10, 2019
One year ago, the AATA joined thousands of people and organizations across the country strongly condemning the Trump Administration’s systematically separating children from their caregivers. While Congress passed a border funding bill last week, which included health standards for both adults and children for “medical emergencies; nutrition, hygiene, and facilities; and personnel training,” many lawmakers and advocates believe that the protections aren’t strong enough.
AATA Board of Directors Approves Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vision Statement
May 16, 2019
Last year the AATA made a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) to ensure it guides the Association’s work on behalf of the profession. During the April 2019 in-person board meeting, the AATA Board of Directors created the following DE&I Vision Statement to help lead this work:
AATA Sends Letter to Second Lady Reaffirming Inclusivity
February 6, 2019
We have heard and share concerns expressed by some of our members regarding the discriminatory admissions and hiring policies at the Immanuel Christian School, where Karen Pence has recently returned to work as an art teacher.
AATA Denounces Discriminatory School Policies
January 17, 2019
As the nation’s leading organization advancing art therapy and healing through art, the American Art Therapy Association is aware that Second Lady Karen Pence is returning to teaching art. While we support art education, we are very mindful that institutions still exist today that openly discriminate against LGBTQIA children, youth and families. The AATA would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our wholehearted embrace of the LGBTQIA community.
Message of Support during Government Shutdown
January 10, 2019
In these divisive times, as the partial government shutdown approaches a record number of days, the AATA would like to share our support for those who are impacted. Our members who are furloughed government employees as well as their clients who rely on government agencies for assistance are both facing unprecedented challenges. Our thoughts are with all those feeling the effects of this shutdown.
The AATA Denounces Hate Crimes in the Wake of the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting
November 1, 2018
We are horrified and deeply saddened by the devastating violence that took place on October 27, 2018, at the Tree of Life Congregation synagogue in Squirrel Hill, PA. We condemn the anti-semitic acts of violence and grieve the 11 congregants who were killed in their place of worship.