ART CAREER

Art educators and art therapists both attend to the psychosocial and emotional needs of students, but there are key differences between these professions. Art teachers create spaces for personal and social inquiry through art and encourage the development of social, cultural, and learning skills through visual expression. Art therapists create safe environments for students to examine interpersonal problems and strengths through individual and group art processes. Art therapists devise therapeutic interventions that facilitate the development of social-emotional skills. They use aesthetic skills to help students communicate, understand themselves and others, and mature psychologically. School art therapists are mental health practitioners trained in both art and psychology, which allows them to provide art therapy services. Some art therapists are also certified art teachers.

Student Engagement Tip: At the beginning or end of class, have students write on an index card: someone they are grateful for, three things that give them joy, and one positive takeaway from the day’s lesson.