Art Therapy at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art: A Feminist Systems Thinking Approach to Art Therapy and Museum Collaboration
Keywords:
art therapy, museum, museum education, systems, Feminist Systems ThinkingAbstract
Using Stephen’s (2011) Feminist Systems Thinking (FST) as a framework, this paper explores the mutual benefits of collaborative practices between the fields of art therapy and museum work. To exemplify the ways in which art therapy and museums are situated within FST, this paper provides an overview of past and ongoing art therapy museum programs and research projects, including a recent art therapy workshop developed by the author and museum educators at the Ringling Museum. To develop the workshop, the author and the museum educators worked together to understand each field’s unique system and needs. Gathering from the author’s experience developing the art therapy workshop at the Ringling, as well as research from past art therapy and museum projects and Stephens (2011) FST approach, this paper ends with recommendations and ideas for future collaborative art therapy and museum projects.
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