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Expressive Arts |
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| Expressive Arts Therapy: The arts have reflected human culture throughout the ages by giving form to our ideas, emotions and dreams. Through engaging in the arts people can express a wide range of feelings from great joy to profound sorrow. The arts serve as a way of clarifying our inner experience without words. The expressive arts are dance-movement, music, and art therapy. They have grown from the concept that the arts increase self- expression and communication. Using the creative process in therapy provides a safe place for self-exploration that enhances the flow between our thoughts and feelings. The expressive arts are potent treatment modalities because they utilize body movement thus activating the sensory and nervous systems. When we engage our body and mind in a therapeutic activity like art or movement our whole brain is involved. In these experiences our memory, senses, and thinking processes are activated to help us clarify and understand our experience. The expressive arts are viable treatment modalities used in a variety of therapeutic setting: schools, hospitals, treatment facilities, and private practice. They have helped children and adults with a wide range of emotional challenges, also with those with developmental disabilities and chronic illnesses. The expressive arts are valuable treatment options for both groups and individuals. |
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The Accessible Arts Program: Special education classrooms in Austin’s Independent School District have had an expressive arts therapy program called Accessible Arts since 2001. Teachers can request this program, which brings in trained expressive arts therapists to work directly with students. It has been found that this program maximizes students learning potential with art, music and dance/movement therapy. These groups have led to noticeable improvements in self-esteem and social/emotional capacities of students. The program also and trains teachers in expressive arts applications so that they may customized these activities for their classroom. The Accessible Arts Program is one example of how expressive art therapies supports individuals, groups and communities. The Accessible Arts program receives it’s support from the City of Austin, AISD Special Education, VSA Arts of Texas, Dougherty Arts School (MAP), Austin Community Foundation, Meadows Foundation, Applied Materials, and Individual Donors. |
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| Resources | |
| American Dance/Movement Therapy Association VSA Arts of Texas a non-profit organization that serve as an international model in which people with disabilities have complete access to cultural artistic and educational venues, programs and employment. Accessible Arts Schools Outreach Program contact Ann Zbylot, program coordinator |
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| annzbylot@gmail.com |