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Florida State University is set to inaugurate a new institute in August that aims to utilize the arts for rehabilitation and recovery within correctional environments.
The Institute for the Arts and Art Therapy with the Imprisoned (AATI) will unite artists, therapists, educators, and individuals behind bars to enhance access to art therapy, develop novel educational initiatives, and promote research domestically and internationally.
“The formation of the Institute for the Arts and Art Therapy with the Imprisoned showcases Florida State University’s steadfast dedication to leveraging the essence of education and creativity for profound therapeutic restoration,” stated FSU Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs James Clark. “By assembling artists, educators, and those touched by incarceration, we are constructing bridges of insight and presenting transformative opportunities that reach far beyond our campus. This institute serves as a testament to our conviction that the arts can ignite hope, facilitate healing, and enrich communities both locally and globally.”
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost and positioned within the College of Fine Arts, the institute will be overseen by Dave Gussak, a prominent art therapy authority with over 30 years devoted to reshaping correctional environments.
“The establishment of this institute marks a crucial milestone for FSU and the domain of art therapy,” Gussak remarked. “It signifies a collective vision at last becoming a reality — a nexus of connection where all these remarkable individuals who are already engaged in this work can collaborate and glean knowledge from each other. By uniting creative minds from across the globe, we not only advance scholarship and practices but also foster a nurturing community that underscores the transformative influence of the arts both within and outside of correctional frameworks.”
Numerous studies have indicated that art therapy is not merely a creative escape — it serves as a catalyst for enduring transformation in correctional environments.
In a recent study involving 308 incarcerated individuals from nine Florida facilities, participants engaged in art therapy experienced a 53% reduction in violent disciplinary actions and a 64% decline in time spent in isolation compared to times when they weren’t receiving services. Moreover, 46% of participants reported fewer disciplinary incidents overall, with significant improvements in emotional regulation, educational involvement, and personal growth. The findings varied by institution, including some services available in Closed Management Units.
“The establishment of this institute marks a crucial milestone for FSU and the domain of art therapy. It signifies a collective vision at last becoming a reality — a nexus of connection where all these remarkable individuals who are already engaged in this work can collaborate and glean knowledge from each other. By uniting creative minds from across the globe, we not only advance scholarship and practices but also foster a nurturing community that underscores the transformative influence of the arts both within and outside of correctional frameworks.”
— Dave Gussak
Gussak has been teaching in the art therapy program at FSU for nearly 25 years and has also acted as the chairperson for the university’s Department of Art Education. He has practiced as an art therapist in prisons and forensic institutions for over 30 years and is an honorary lifetime member of the American Art Therapy Association.
AATI will concentrate on various initiatives, including the creation of postgraduate certificates for art therapists and artist facilitators, along with a certificate program for individuals in custody.
“We are enthusiastic about launching these certificate programs, which will not only enhance the professional growth of art therapists but also enable incarcerated individuals to become art facilitators themselves,” Gussak stated.
In addition to educational programs, AATI is collaborating with the Chicago-based organization Creative Prisons Project to launch the International Journal for Creativity Inside, the inaugural academic journal dedicated to creative and therapeutic arts within prisons. The journal will include contributions from leading professionals in the field, encompassing clinicians, educators, and artists both inside and outside of carceral institutions, and will function as a resource for practitioners and scholars alike.
“The arts and art therapy have the ability to transform lives, and this institute will be at the leading edge of that transformation,” said Sara Scott Shields, associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Fine Arts. “We are devoted to fostering a safer and more nurturing environment for those within correctional facilities, and we believe that art can play a vital role in that endeavor.”
The institute will also conduct symposia and international conferences to further discussions on the significance of the arts and art therapy in correctional settings. These gatherings will unite artists, educators, and researchers to exchange their insights and experiences.
“This institute represents a notable advancement for the College of Fine Arts and for Florida State University,” declared Dean James Frazier. “It builds on the well-established research and practice of Dr. Gussak, while broadening opportunities for engagement and impact. This initiative fortifies FSU’s role in promoting the contributions of the arts and health to communities near and far.”
For further information, please visit aati.fsu.edu.
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