Welcome to the Create Arts Therapy Special Interest Group Web Site

This is a SIG with a 'split personality'. Since its inception it's been a meeting ground for drama, art, dance, and other creative arts therapists (hence the SIG name). About twenty years ago, though, something different began to happen; people with mental retardation began to be recognized as artists. In California, in Canada, in Massachusetts arts centers serving artists with mental retardation started popping up. Their work (products) - a major facet of the extremely popular (though unfortunately titled) "outsider art" movement - is being exhibited and sold everywhere on the open market.

This movement is international in scope as you will discover in the Who's Who below. There are 10-day arts festivals celebrating and enhancing the skills of artists with disabilities. The movement may even be more powerful in Europe and Asia than it is in the United States. What has emerged from this movement (which is by no means an organized one) are theatre companies, dance troupes, choirs and hundreds of recognized artists producing works of art remarkable in their diversity and sophistication.

So today's Creative Arts Therapies SIG represents both of these groups (Arts therapist AND Arts Centers) as well as any other AAMR member with an interest in the interaction of creative arts and people with mental retardation. The SIG belongs to its members. It is a central point through which its members can inform, enlighten, alert and inspire each other.

If you are interested in taking part in building this Web Page: welcoming people who have signed in, publishing a newsletter, presenting at conferences and meetings, or writing articles, please sign-in here and list your area of interest.

Other areas of interest at this website include a list of art centers (in pdf format)

Thanks!

This is a copy of our Annual Report to the Board

SECTION I. GOALS, OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

GOAL I. Expand capacity for influencing public policy and other government actions at all levels.

A. Through educational and training efforts, raised awareness of the unique artistic abilities of people with mental retardation with governmental entities providing oversight and funding for services:

1. Home and Community-based Services ("waivered" services)

2. Vocational rehabilitation programs

3. State and County discretionary funds

B. Promoted consideration of arts careers in transitional education programs.

GOAL II. Strengthen the functional capacity of the association.

GOAL III. Identify and disseminate research, professional standards and effective practices.

A. Univ. of Minnesota Research and Training grant continued assessment of effectiveness of Arts training as life enhancement at member art center.

B. Completed a workshop at the national meeting in Denver with the Religion and Spirituality Division.

GOAL IV. Assure a quality and available work force to educate and support people with intellectual disabilities.

A. Art centers bring a totally new group of workers into the field. Most employ professional artists with limited training and experience in the field.

B. Established Artists program at Anodyne Artist Company brings established artists into contact with artists with disabilities by offering studio space in exchange for mentoring.

SECTION II. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES TO BE TARGETED FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR

A. Strengthen the functional capacity of the SIG.

1. Promote SIG cohesion by completing web-site at aamr.org

2. Attempt to survey SIG members internationally about their concerns and hopes for the SIG.

B. Develop a newsletter or other format for bringing together SIG members, especially bringing together therapists and arts center representatives.

SECTION III. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOARD ACTION

(These recommendations remain unchanged. Artists with disabilities have garnered incredible recognition this year. "I Am Sam" a popular film with some of the most popular actors in the business included actors with disabilities who performed beautifully. Festivals and exhibits celebrating outsider art and artists with disabilities are held internationally and attract a huge following. These strides have gone virtually unnoticed by the Association. The impact that these advances have made on our [the Association's] perception of the people we serve has been imperceptible.)

A. Recognition/espousal of multiple intelligence concept and the powerful impact the concept has had on many people with mental retardation by:

1. Encouraging the development of venues in which creativity is esteemed and encouraged in spite of 'intellectual deficits'

2. Providing vocational opportunities for many people which are both lucrative and accompanied by public recognition and approbation

3. Radically altering the public's perception of disabilities.

B. Increase recognition of people with mental retardation who have excelled as artists in all of the creative arts by:

1. Encouraging performances and exhibitions at national and regional association events.

2. Publishing materials that celebrate the accomplishments and lives of artists with developmental disabilities.

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