National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations

CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIES WEEK
March 9-15, 2008

HILL DAY 2008 PHOTO GALLERY

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 14, 2008:

Back row, from left: NADT GAC Randy Mulder, AMTA President Barbara Wheeler, ADTA President Robyn Cruz, NADT President Carlos Rodriguez Perez, AATA President-Elect Joan Phillips, NADT GAC Robyne Davis, NCCATA Treasurer Marcia Rosal, NCCATA Virtual Assistant & Recording Secretary Donna Betts, AATA Executive Director Steve Kussman.
Middle/front row, from left: ASGPP President John Rasberry, AMTA Executive Director Andi Farbman, NCCATA Chair-Elect Michele Forinash, NCCATA Chair Laura Greenstone, NAPT Rep Nancy Sherlong, AATA President Peg Dunn-Snow.

Welcome to the NCCATA Website!

I am Laura Greenstone and am serving as Chair for the term of July 2007- July 2009. I hope you find this site useful in linking to information about each of the creative art therapy professional organizations. We believe that all forms of artistic expression are integral to well being and want to provide consumers of healthcare, education and rehabilitation services with a variety of creative approaches to meet their needs. The Coalition’s membership organizations represent art, dance/movement, drama, music, poetry and psychodrama therapists all over the nation. May you find inspiration in the creative approach our professions take in working with people of all ages and ability. Some commonly asked questions about NCCATA are below.

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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NY Senator Hillary Clinton Supports the Creative Arts Therapies

"Mr. President, the process of using the arts therapeutically to assist victims of illness, trauma, disability and other personal challenges, has historically been underrecognized as a valuable treatment, yet the benefits of this treatment are far reaching. The creative arts therapies , comprising the fields of art therapy, dance/movement therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, poetry therapy and psychodrama, are disciplines that foster creative expression to promote health, communication, self-awareness, emotional, social and cognitive functioning. I rise today, to proclaim National Creative Arts Therapies Week, June 1-7, 2003 as a time to recognize this unique service." Hillary Clinton, June 3, 2004.

On June 3, 2004, Hillary Clinton entered a statement in support of the creative arts therapies to the Senate Congressional Record. To view the official document, visit http://thomas.loc.gov/home/r108query.html and type "creative arts therapies" in the Enter Search box.

For information about Hillary Clinton's support of art therapy, visit http://www.art-therapy.us/Hillary_Clinton.htm

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April 10, 2008, Sanibel, Florida:

ART THERAPY HAS MANY FACES
An Award-Winning Film
Produced and Presented by Art Therapist and Author Judy Rubin, PhD

Thursday, April 10, 7 PM
Reception Following
BIG ARTS Schein Performance Hall
900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, Florida

www.bigarts.org

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Support Graduate Student Research

Graduate students at the University of Maine School of Social Work are conducting a research project examining the use of alternative therapies. Professional creative art therapists are encouraged to complete a survey located here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2blPL_2b57_2bvIwvVcDbcWbIOg_3d_3d

Contact: Andrea Davis, principal investigator
School of Social Work
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469
andrea.davis@umit.maine.edu