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Home » News » Director of Art Therapy sends out call for proposals for COVID 19 education research

Director of Art Therapy sends out call for proposals for COVID 19 education research

Published July 21, 2021

Dr. Barbara Parker-Bell, Associate Professor and Director of the Art Therapy, within the Department of Art Education at Florida State University, has announced the recent launch of “The Learning from COVID 19 Experiences project”.

The Florida State University Art Therapy Program is partnering with the National Association for the Development of Art Therapy Science and Practice Art Therapy Association to address the significant mental health consequences of the global COVID 19 pandemic and to identify effective methods for supporting resilience among youth and families. This project aims to bring about innovative research and change through a professional exchange of US and Russian art therapists, mental health professionals, and educators. There is a call for proposals for artworks that demonstrate creative processes employed by art therapists to reduce distress and cultivate personal resilience during pandemic times.

“The Learning from COVID 19 Experiences Project Conference will provide important opportunities for art therapists and related professionals to collaborate cross culturally and to demonstrate the power of art therapy in supporting the resilience of youth and families as they recover from pandemic times,” said Dr. Parker-Bell. “We are excited to offer the multi-tiered event which will include an online conference for robust exchanges of best art therapy practices between Russian and US professionals, virtual exhibit and local exhibits featuring art by art therapists, and related community events that welcome and inspire families to engage in creative art events that cultivate joy and hope.

All selected images and statements will be featured in the Learning from COVID 19 Experiences virtual art exhibit that will open February 3rd, 2022. Additionally, a limited number of images from the virtual exhibit, along with statements, will be printed and installed in local exhibits in Russia (Volgograd and Samara) and the USA (FSU, Tallahassee, Florida). Each local exhibit will feature interactive educational programs designed to attract and engage youth and family in positive reflection, communication, and creativity. Artworks will be selected by an international team of jurors.

The Learning from COVID 19 conference will be held online on Feb 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2022, and is designed to provide a forum for the exchange of information for creative mental health practices that support youth and family resilience in pre and post pandemic times. Selected presentations and webinar workshops will showcase creative art therapy techniques and approaches beneficial for youth and families. Presenters and attendees from Russia and the USA will be welcomed to join. The conference is designed for art therapists, mental health professionals, students of art therapy and mental health, educators, and others who serve communities, families, and youth.

Conference presentations, abstracts, and materials will be translated and available to conference attendees in both Russian and English. Opportunities to network and exchange contact information will be available to all who participate.

We believe that the Learning from COVID 19 Experiences events will elevate the profession of art therapy, expand positive Russian/US dialogues, and provide  creative art viewing and making  opportunities to youth and families that will bolster their resilience during pandemic times.

The “Learning from COVID 19 Experiences project” is seeking 50-minute paper presentations on art therapy approaches and practices that have effectively supported youth and family resilience during the time of the pandemic and transitions to pandemic recovery. Submission of research paper proposals on the project topic is encouraged. The project is also accepting 75-minute workshop-webinars that will describe a program that supported youth and/or families during the time of the pandemic and demonstrate an art process that was used in that program.

You can learn more about the project and submit your proposal at the project’s website here.