A Brief Introduction to therapeutic arts

Free Arts draws from the wisdom and methodologies of therapeutic arts, which originated in the early 20th century, emerged as a distinct profession in the 1940’s, and has since matured into a well developed body of research and practices employed in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, private practice, educational institutions and social service organizations.

Important areas of research and practice include:

• The role of art in the cognitive development of children.
• The role of art in recovering from traumatic experience.
• The role of artistic mastery and expression as a vehicle of personal empowerment, capacity building, and development of selfhood.
• The benefits of art upon the ability to be aware of self and others.

The benefits of Art for children include:

• Improvement in the ability to be attentive and engaged in school.
• Greater self-esteem.
• Improvement in personal motivation.
• Smoother recovery from traumatic experience.
• Improvement in the ability to be self-expressive.
• An increase in experiences of validation.
• Improvement in ability to be in control.
• Increase in positive relations with adults.
• Improvement in the ability to communicate.
• Decrease in frequency and severity ratings of behavior.
• Decrease in defiant and avoidant behavior.
• More experiences of positive feedback and acceptance.
• Cognitive development synergies; for example an improvement in mathematic abilities that results from developing musical expression.
  

For Free Arts, an important focus of our practice is on the role of mentorship in this healing and empowerment process. Free Arts Minnesota Volunteer Mentors leverage the healing powers of art in a wide range of mediums, in a safe, fun and positive atmosphere, to promote the recovery and development of abused children and their families.

Together with our partner organizations, Free Arts Minnesota strives to help abused children to not only heal, but to become fully empowered individuals, engaged in and contributing to, the world around them.

Feel Free to contact us to discuss how we can partner in healing the lives of children. Or sign upfor our newsletter to stay up to date on upcoming events and points of interest.