During this conference Anna and Cettina had the chance to organize a student discussion forum representing the "students voice" with the intention to give students a space at this conference to voice their thoughts, feelings and ideas about arts therapies. As a result, art- drama- music and dance movement therapy students from all over the world were involved in lively discussions about their visions and the realities of the profession.
Some of the issues discussed were differences in arts therapies approaches around the world, job prospects, the dual nature of the arts therapist role (artist and/or therapist) and the relationship between theory and practice. The forum was successful and proved the need for more… therefore the idea of an international and interdiciplinary art therapies symposium “for students by students” was born! Since the conception of the idea in 2006, this student meeting has taken place once a year:
2010 Edinburgh (Scotland), the 5th Encounter was organized by Alexia Gaitanou and Laura Cave and was attended by 80 participants from all over the world.
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2009 Athens (Greece), the 4th 4ArTS International Encounter for Arts Therapies Students was organized by Diana Kagiafa and Katerina Zervou and other greek arts therapies students, with 80 participants attending.
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2008 Barcelona (Spain), the 3rd Arts Therapies Student Encounter was organized by Carolina Alejos and other dance movement therapy students of Metafora, Institute for Life Long Learning- Universidad de Barcelona-IL3 UB, with 60 participants.
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2007 Amersfoort (Netherlands), the "2nd International Arts Therapies Summercamp" was organized by Dries Booten and Tim van Stelten and other arts therapies students of the Hogeschool Amersfoort, with 40 participants.
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2006 Ottersberg (Germany) the “International Arts Therapies Summercamp” was organized by Anna von Butler and Cettina Francella and other atrs therapies students of the Fachochschule Ottersberg, with 25 participants.
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These encounters were very successful and have been approved by ECArTE and the relevant universities of the host countries. Written evaluation forms from participants demonstrate the success of these events and provide evidence towards developing ongoing and further successful future events.
Statements from the participants represent the successs of this encounter:
Kastury (Amersfoort, the Netherlands):
"The 4ArTS encounter really was a great experience! For me it was very interesting to have all the different kinds of media of art therapy. I am interested in connecting the medias and 4ArTS is the perfect place for it. It is a good chance to create an international network of art therapy. Lets be the new generation that changes the art therapies world! We have differences but a lot in common: The same passion and fire! So let's do more things together!"
Irene (Barcelona, Spain) :
"We went to participate to see how the creative therapies work in Europe. Different ways to work, in some countries where profession art therapy is already established for many years. Wonderful to see we could break the wall of the language and the cultures because we have the same feelings, the same, reaction to the same work. I have learned so much, it will be for me a professional and personal experience I could never forget! I really, really hope 4ArTS will go on, because together as art therapists we stand strong!"
Paulina (Chile):
"For me the most important is to see that there are people who work with love and respect and when we meet we can create a very powerful energy and do things to feel alive. In the 4ArTS we create a community of work, exchange and experiences and I really believe that art is a way to meet very deep and truly. It is also very important to continue with this for concrete and practical reasons: We have to gain our own space in society, and when we put together our forces, it is easier and clearer for us. We can also learn so much from another, and we should use this to grow!"
