Today, the American Art Therapy Association is positioned more strongly than at any time in its 40-year history. We thank those who helped lay the groundwork, and look forward to working for you and with you as we continue to build an Association that effectively promotes and develops the profession of art therapy.

For the past several years I have been reaching out to learn from art therapists throughout the world about how the Association can be of most value to them; how it can be a centerpiece in helping to provide the foundation for their future and their life’s work of helping others.
I have heard many who long for our associational culture to be supportive, nurturing, and insightful. Our commitment to you is that our approach will be one of inclusion, encouragement, and collaboration. 

All of us agree that licensure is critical to employment and your career. Therefore, we are working actively with our chapters, state licensure boards, and many others to gain viable licensure options in every state. For those working outside of settings requiring licensure, we seek inclusion in arts and educational programming that is commensurate with your skills and training.

 We concur with you that relationships with government leaders, both local and national, and other decision makers are key to our future work. That is why we have formed partnerships with more than 60 organizations that reinforce our goals. In the coming years we will work to accurately and effectively communicate the importance of art therapy in the continuum of health care, arts and education. We will reach out to a growing audience of potential employers, funders, program partners, and the media with this message.

Some members that I have heard from have presented specific ideas that make use of the technological opportunities that surround our lives and continue to define how we go about our business. Electronic communications will expand as we strive for operational efficiencies and improved communications.

Our association is rich in brilliant minds and dedicated spirits, as well as creative and passionate individuals. We will be creating an Association-wide database of best practices from which we all can learn. This database will contain information on the stellar programs that abound in this association. Those examples will serve to communicate what art therapy means in people’s lives. Together we will collect a storehouse of vast knowledge, easily accessible to the next generation, so that we can build on our experience and share what works.

We ask your help in communicating the depth of experience and caring that is the American Art Therapy Association of today. I invite you to share your own experiences and innovative work, and to encourage your colleagues, both in art therapy and in related fields, to become active members. Also, please consider serving on a committee to help further strengthen the Association.

Our future will be carved by the continuing evolution of art therapy, and how effectively we tell our story. I look forward to working with the volunteer leaders on the Board and Committees to help realize our vision for the future.
        
Joan Phillips, PhD, LPC, LMFT, ATR-BC
President