International Journal of Art Therapy

Community-Based Art Therapy

Disparity in health systems and resources across countries and communities remains a significant global health issue. Rural and coastal communities have been associated with poorer health outcomes due to ongoing challenges with housing, employment, public transportation, and access to services (Hansford et al., 2024). The World Health Organization’s Statistics Report (2023) estimated that 1.3 billion individuals with disabilities experienced health disparities caused by preventable, inequitable, and unjust circumstances. In times when health systems are unable to adjust quickly to respond to persisting inequities, community-based initiatives can be lifesaving. Participatory approaches that involve members of the community and people impacted by the local conditions, can guide the co-creation of programs, services, and interventions that may best meet the needs of people living in remote, rural, and coastal communities (Raha et al, 2024). Co-creation supports the development of interventions that are both sustainable and impactful.

Community-based art therapy is an approach that centers on equity, inclusion, and participation with and alongside community members. It is an approach that values the participation and inclusion of all members of the community, increases sense of belonging (Nolan, 2019), fosters healthy connections (Allen, 2008; Nolan, 2019; Ottermiller & Awais, 2016); addresses inequality (Ottermiller & Awais, 2016) and focuses on the community as a whole to promote innovation and diverse thinking (Kapitan, 2011). Community-based art therapy initiatives are flourishing internationally as art therapists and community members consider how to address the needs and concerns of their communities.

In this special issue we welcome research, practice, and opinion submissions on community-based art therapy. We are looking for ethical, evidence-informed, original contributions, which foreground service user and lived experience perspectives. Whilst some possible themes are outlined below, we welcome articles on any aspect of community-based art therapy:

·       Rural, remote, and coastal communities

·       Co-creation and participatory approaches with communities

·       Approaches that address ethics and sustainability

·       Co-produced research with community partners

·       Co-authored submissions with community partners

·       Cross-sector partnerships to leverage resources

·       Innovative practices in community-based art therapy