National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations

CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIES WEEK
March 21-28, 2010

The National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations was founded in 1979. It is an alliance of professional associations dedicated to the advancement of the arts as therapeutic modalities. NCCATA represents over 15,000 individual members of six creative arts therapies associations nationwide.

The creative arts therapies include art therapy, dance/movement therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, poetry therapy, and psychodrama. These therapies use arts modalities and creative processes during intentional intervention in therapeutic, rehabilitative, community, or educational settings to foster health, communication, and expression; promote the integration of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning; enhance self-awareness; and facilitate change. Each member association has established professional training standards including an approval and monitoring process, a code of ethics and standards of clinical practice, and a credentialing process.

Annual conferences, journals, and newsletters for each association foster professional development, as well as educate the public and allied professionals about each discipline. Although unique and distinct from one another, the creative arts therapies share related processes and goals. Participation in all the creative arts therapies provides people with special needs ways to express themselves that may not be possible through more traditional therapies.

For over 50 years, art, dance/movement, drama, music, poetry therapists, and psychodramatists have provided meaningful therapeutic opportunities for people of all ages in a wide variety of treatment settings and schools.

For more information: NCCATA Fact Sheet.

NCCATA Board of Representatives, March 29, 2009:

Back row, from left: AATA GAC Sarah Kremer, AATA President-Elect Joan Phillips, AATA Executive Director Susan Corrigan, AATA President Peggy Dunn-Snow, NAPT President Diane Allerdyce, NCCATA Chair-Elect Michele Forinash, NADT President-Elect Kate Hurd, NCCATA Chair Laura Greenstone, AMTA President-Elect Ronna Kaplan, NAPT Rep Nancy Sherlong, AMTA President Barbara Wheeler, ADTA VP Sherry Goodill, NCCATA Treasurer Marcia Rosal, ADTA President Robyn Cruz, AMTA Director of Gov't Relations Judy Simpson.
Front row, from left: NADT President Carlos Rodriguez Perez, AMTA Executive Director Andi Farbman, NCCATA Virtual Assistant & Recording Secretary Donna Betts, NADT GAC Randy Mulder, ADTA GAC Robyne Stone Davis.

About NCCATA

How does NCCATA operate?

NCCATA holds yearly meetings attended by representatives from each organization to share information and encourage collaboration on issues of joint interest such as governmental affairs, public relations and other projects. The work group of NCCATA consists of the Past Chair, Chair, Chair-Elect, Treasurer, Recording Secretary and Virtual Assistant. Each member organization has one vote and pays annual dues.

How can one join NCCATA?

NCCATA is a coalition and therefore it does not have individual members, rather it has membership organizations.

Will there be another creative arts therapy conference?

The last creative arts therapy conference was held in the LAST century in 1990 with over 3000 creative arts therapists in attendance. The sentiment to have a joint conference is very strong from both the members of the organizations and the leadership. The organizations are working on a feasibility plan to ensure that a joint conference would be intellectually enriching as well as financially viable. There is a possibility of a joint conference in 2011.

Does NCCATA have state chapters?

No. Coalitions in the states have developed independently. In states where there are Coalitions, they work on projects such as gaining legislative recognition, educating the public and other providers about creative arts therapy services, hold joint conferences, and work together to maximize resources.

What is Creative Arts Therapy Week?

During a week in March each year, creative arts therapists sponsor special workshops, exhibitions, career days and other events to share their work with the public and other professionals.

What is NCCATA currently working on?

This year we will work to finish the feasibility study on a joint conference and move forward with the planning and possible contracts among member associations. We also hope to sponsor a congressional briefing around creative art therapy week to create awareness about the creative arts in Washington, D.C. Please check the website for posted events and suggestions for creating awareness about the creative arts therapies.

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Announcements

The Society for the Arts in Healthcare will be hosting hour-long informative webinars on arts in healthcare management topics. Held as conference calls, they include live, interactive online visuals. Register today and send in your questions so that the sessions truly respond to your needs. To find out more information and register, visit http://www.thesah.org/events/webinars.cfm.

Expressive Media, Inc. announces the Institute of the Arts in Healing
A Weekend of Workshops with Pioneer Practitioners
INTEGRATING THE ARTS IN THERAPY
art, drama, music, dance, poetry & play
July 10 - 12, 2009
For more information: http://www.expressivemedia.org/iah/