Art therapy in the Global South: Now and next

Abstract

This article describes the development of art therapy education and practice in Botswana, Chile, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia, as discussed in a panel presentation, Art Therapy in the Global South, at the University of South Africa’s conference, Training Art Therapists for Social Justice. Panellists discussed the challenges and successes of varied educational paradigms, from paraprofessional training programmes to higher education courses and degree programmes. Among the panellists were citizens of the countries under discussion, as well as art therapy educators from the Global North, who worked as visiting professionals in these countries. The panellists touched on practices that have emerged from these trainings, ethical considerations for the development of Indigenous education and practice models, and questions of social justice related to the development of culturally relevant, context-specific art therapy. Included in the article are key questions identified by panellists prior to the conference, a summary of the conference presentation, and visual and written reflections from the panellists post-conference.