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Art Therapy Department records

 Collection
Identifier: RG0091

Collection Scope and Content

Materials in this collection include publicity materials about the Art Therapy program, formerly an archives vertical file. The materials date from 1972-1982.

Dates

  • Creation: 1972-1982, and undated

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open for research

Restrictions on Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Historical or Biographical Note

The Art Therapy Department at The George Washington University began in 1972 as a graduate program in Special Studies, and administered by the Art Department. The courses themselves were built upon the foundation laid by the Washington School of Psychiatry. Art therapy began emerging as a bona fide profession in the 1930's, and teaches students how to use art materials to help people express themselves more freely. The insights that a therapist gains from patient's drawings are then used in the treatment of the patient's symptoms. Bernard I. Levy and Elinor Ulman were the co-coordinators of the program when it bagan, and Hanna Kwiatkowska (1903-80) was an associate professor and former head of the art therapy unit at the National Institute of Health who also made major contributions to the program.

The program was an early sponsor, with the University Counseling Center, of the annual “Chalk-in” (began in 1981), which offers students the chance to relieve some tension during the end of the spring semester by drawing pictures of all varieties on the street and sidewalks outside the Gelman Library.

In 1994 the program became a 5-year combined B.A./M.A. program with courses listed under the Psychology Department. An M.A. in the field of art therapy is also available - prerequisites include a bachelor's degree, evidence of significant training and/or experience in art, and course work in the behavioral and/or social sciences.

N.B. This history note was written in 2005

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Materials in this collection include publicity materials about the Art Therapy program, formerly an archives vertical file. The materials date from 1972-1982.

Collection Organization

Organized in a single folder

Acquisition Information

Immediate source of acquisition is unknown.

Title
Guide to the Art Therapy Department records, 1972-1982
Author
Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
Date
2017
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository

Contact:
George Washington University Gelman Library
2130 H Street NW
Washington DC 20052 United States of America