Art Therapy Education: Research and Reflections from the Field

Image credit: Toll, H. (2020). Peaks. Oil on canvas. Calgary, AB: Private Collection.

As late modern culture addresses many manifestations of disease, new health concerns arise related to “dis-eases” of modernity and neo-liberalism related to “inequality, and loss of wellbeing” (Hanlon & Carlisle, 2016, p. 21). Simultaneously, there is a growing recognition of the importance of creative arts in supporting health and wellbeing of individuals and societies on systemic and policy levels internationally (Clift & Camic, 2016). For example, the World Health Organization’s Health Evidence Network Synthesis Report included a review of over 900 publications and found that “… the arts can help people experiencing mental illness, support care for people with acute conditions; help to support people with neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders; assist with the management of noncommunicable diseases; and support end-of-life care” (Fancourt & Finn, 2019, p. viii). This validates what many art therapists have already known, and the evidence-based recognition will have implications for practice and accessibility.

As new contexts and challenges in the field of art therapy develop, art therapy education also advances and changes to provide new strategies, curriculums and pedagogical models to prepare practitioners to meet contemporary health needs. The special issue theme: Art Therapy Education: Research and Reflections from the Field invites submission of articles that explore art therapy education that advances the field forward in both contemporary Canada and international spheres.

The Canadian Journal of Art Therapy / Revue canadienne d’art-thérapie invites submissions with diverse research methodologies that address trends, movements, and new developments related to the following topics:

• Changes, new approaches and models of art therapy pedagogies, curriculum, and learning practices and aligning education with the current field

• Changes in art therapy education to meet new WHO crises and priorities

• Cross-cultural, intercultural, and international art therapy education and research pedagogy

• Critical pedagogy in art therapy education

• New and innovative technologies supporting art therapy education

• Art therapy student research projects about innovative art therapy practices and opportunities

• Art therapy student projects that address practice (these can include capstone projects grounded in empirical research methodology)

• Priorities and learning needs of practicing and new art therapists in contemporary contexts, including the development of new provincial regulatory bodies and colleges

• Social justice and community-based pedagogy

• Preparation and continuing development of art therapy instructors, supervisors, and practitioners

• New research trends in art therapy student education, including interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary collaborations

• Among others

All articles will be published in the APA 7th Edition format: https://apastyle.apa.org/products/publication-manual-7th-edition/.

References

Clift, C. & Camic, P. M. (2016). Introduction to the field of creative arts, wellbeing, and health: Achievements and current challenges. In Clift, S., & Camic, P. M. (Eds.), Oxford textbook of creative arts, health, and wellbeing: International perspectives on practice, policy and research (pp. 3-10). Oxford University Press.

Fancourt, D. & Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review. World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/329834/9789289054553-eng.pdf

Hanlon, P. & Carlisle, S. (2016). The fifth wave of public health and the contribution of culture and the arts. In Clift, S., & Camic, P. M. (Eds.), Oxford textbook of creative arts, health, and wellbeing: International perspectives on practice, policy and research (pp. 19-26). Oxford University Press.

Types of articles

The Canadian Journal of Art Therapy: Research, Practice, and Issues invites submissions of diverse forms of original empirical research that are guided by CATA’s Ethical Standards of Practice. Submissions may include:

• Art Therapy Research Articles: Articles that have a clear research methodological base and theoretical orientation. Length: 2000-4000 words, including photographs.

• Art Therapy in Practice: Practical applications and tools of art therapy practice, based in contemporary literature and a theoretical orientation. Length: 2000-3000 words, including photographs.

• Art Therapy Approaches: Theoretical contemplations and inquiries based on historical and contemporary research Length: 2000-3000 words, including photographs.

• Soundings: Perspectives, opinions, proposals, and artistic responses. This research must also include theoretical orientation and relevant literature. Length: 2000 words including photographs.

• Book Reviews: Please contact editor: journal@canadianarttherapy.org

For more information, please see: https://www.canadianarttherapy.org/submissions/

Submission Instructions

Please submit your manuscript to the journal’s editorial manager system: https://www.editorialmanager.com/ucat/default.aspx

Guidelines for Submissions

• Send submissions in MS Word format; blinded for peer review.

• Manuscript format: typewritten, double-spaced, with margins of at least one inch on all sides.

• Do not include headers, footers or other types of special formatting.

• Number manuscript pages consecutively throughout the paper.

• Provide an abstract that summarizes the article (100 to 250 words). Avoid abbreviations, diagrams, and reference to the text in the abstract.

• Refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Seventh Edition (Quick Reference Guide) for guidelines to prepare references, citations, and general style of manuscripts).

For more information on submission guidelines, see: https://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?journalCode=ucat20&page=instructions

Note that the Canadian Art Therapy Association Journal also accepts submissions on an ongoing basis for upcoming publications.