Join the Art Club: Exploring Social Empowerment in Art Therapy

Abstract

Social Empowerment Art Therapy (SEAT) aims to address the stigma of mental illness through the artistic empowerment of participants. The model was developed within an inpatient psychiatric setting from observations of a shared governance structure that empowered residents. Incorporating an open art studio approach and social action art therapy, key aspects of SEAT are: (a) voluntary participation, (b) facilitation rather than structured direction, (c) group empowerment through collaborative decision making, and (d) artistic practices that are chosen by members. The primary difference between SEAT and typical group art therapy is that participants determine the features and structure of the group at every stage through forum discussions and majority vote. Participants reframe themselves as artists within the microcosm of their group and their communities using art as an intermediary. This article describes social empowerment in art therapy and the “Art Club” program from which the model was created.

Acknowledgments

Editor's Note: Frances Johanna Morris and Mallori Willis-Rauch are 2013 graduates of the Master of Science in Art Therapy at Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. Correspondence concerning this article may be addressed to the first author at [email protected]