Arts therapists may come from an arts background or a therapy background, and train in both areas. Most specialise in one particular modality, eg visual art or drama, and may integrate other methods into their work. Many artists and art educators become aware of the therapeutic value of the arts and creativity in the course of their work, and seek to extend their professional knowledge to work therapeutically. Also, many health professionals and psychotherapists recognise the power of creativity and non-verbal methods to increase the efficacy of their work, and extend their training into arts modalities as therapeutic tools.
MARCO is the first centre for arts therapies in New Zealand, providing a tangible place for arts therapists to meet, to work, to receive specialist and peer supervision, and for master teachers to offer professional development seminars and workshops. MARCO Trust is already hosting such activities, and receives regular enquiries both from those offering new training opportunities and those seeking them.
Because arts therapy is still an emerging profession here with a relatively small number of graduates, there is the integration rather than the separation of all the modalities as has happened overseas. We are able to be truly innovative because of our unique position of developing at a time when trends elsewhere are pointing to the value of working multi-modally as we already do. MARCO is able to offer inspiration, support and resources to both practicing and training arts therapists, educators and health professionals.
Aims
1. To develop a specialist resource library for the arts therapies, providing journal articles, books, videos and equipment for loan.
2. To establish a practitioner’s forum on the MARCO website, connecting the arts therapy community both within New Zealand and with others from overseas.
3. To hold regular peer development supervision and networking meetings.
4. To support primary research in the field of arts therapy in New Zealand.
5. To underwrite international practitioners for travel to New Zealand for professional development workshops and seminars.
Professional Development Programmes at MARCO
MARCO Trust - The Centre of Creativity for Well-being
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