Art Therapist

Do you want to create art while helping others?

Well art therapy may be right for you!

What Do Art Therapists Do?

                Art therapists use different artistic mediums to help people express their emotions and work through their problems. Art therapy is “based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight” (The American Art Therapy Association). Art therapists expose their patients to different types of artistic expression from photography to pencil drawings. Art therapists don’t try to make professional artists out of their patients but rather help them to get inside of themselves and express their emotions in a safe and healthy environment.

Art therapists often work in hospitals, mental institutions, recovery homes, rehab centers, schools and some are even private contractors who visit patients in their homes. 

What Skills Are Needed?

                Art therapists need to have a diverse understanding of various artistic mediums and have creative skills as well as a background in human development and psychology. Picking the right artistic medium for their patient is very important. Art therapists also need to have an easiness about them that calms and reassures their clients. Patience is also a major skill that art therapists need in order to succeed and positively impact their patients. Art therapists also have to have an open mind and be willing to experience art with their patient and view the world from a completely different perspective. 

How Do I Become an Art Therapist?

                Many art therapists hold a fine arts degree as well as degrees in counseling or psychiatry. A master’s degree with education in art therapy and clinical experience is needed to be a registered art therapist (ATR). A board-certified art therapist (ATR-BC) is a therapist that was approved by The Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATSC).  There are various levels of education needed for the different art therapist positions. Art therapists that work in a high-security mental institution require more training than an art therapist in a regular hospital. Various art institutes around the country provide bachelors and masters degrees in art therapy.  

For more information visit The American Art Therapy Association's website: http://www.arttherapy.org/

Cinematographers

Do you like to take photographs? Are you interested in the relationship between shadows and light? Do you like working with cameras?

Cinematography could be right for you!

What Do Cinematographers Do?

                Cinematographers are responsible  for the lighting, clarity and depth of the objects in a movie.  They deal with what types of lenses, cameras, lights and filters need to be used in order to achieve the director’s visual ideal. Sometimes Cinematographers have complete artistic control over how the images will be portrayed on screen. Often when this is the case, the Cinematographer will work closely with the director and together create their artistic vision. Other times, the Cinematographer is at the mercy of the director and must do whatever they are told. 

What Skills Are Needed?

            Cinematographers must have a strong understanding of lighting and how to achieve certain visual effects such as emotion with light. A good technical knowledge of the equipment is also needed, along with interpersonal skills for working with the film’s director. Often times Cinematographers need a strong level of confidence in themselves and their work so that they can take the necessary risks in order to achieve their artistic vision.

How Do I Become a Cinematographer?

            There are many colleges and universities that offer specific and general degrees in film. Cinematographers should take courses in camera operation, equipment and technology. They should also take classes that concern the visual composition of film and perhaps even the history, as to better understand what cinematography really is and how it has changed over the years. Experience is the best tool for any potential cinematographer. If you want to become a cinematographer either start making your own films and experimenting with light and shadow or get a job on part of a film crew; even if you aren’t working as a cinematographer to begin with, any experience in the business is good experience.