BIPOC Arts Therapies Fund CLOSED - See Update

Emergency Fund Applications Closed - Thank you to our supporters. The BIPOC Student Fund for creative arts therapies initiative ended in 2023.

PROJECT HISTORY

The BIPOC Student Fund by Black Arts Therapies Educators existed to provide greater access and support for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color who are enrolled in creative arts therapies programs. As many colleges moved to remote-learning and online platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic, this fund provided much needed relief for BIPOC students to purchase laptops, tablets, art supplies, instruments, and books or cover the costs of basic necessities while completing their undergraduate or graduate coursework.

This fund was initiated by a group of Black arts therapies educators and scholars. Our experiences have shown that BIPOC students are increasingly likely to delay their studies due to illness, economic hardship, lack of a supportive network, loss and trauma. In addition to the hardships that many students in higher education endure, BIPOC students experience racism at their various academic institutions, professional associations and internships. These factors can negatively impact a student's motivation and mental health, and lead to fewer BIPOC mental health professionals, in particular those who specialize in using art in psychotherapy. We have created this fund to remind BIPOC students of the supportive community around them.

Your donations from 2020-2023 provided need-based-aid and began to build more resources for BIPOC students. We affirm and support all BIPOC students, including those who identify as trans, disabled, queer, or have marginalized religious identities or lived experiences as first generation college students. We welcome contributions from individuals, small groups, larger organizations and institutions.

This is fundraiser is organized by Marisol Norris, Britton Williams, Leah Gipson, Refiloe Lepere, and Sponsored by The Center for Art Therapy Critical Studies.

BIPOC Student Fund website: arttherapystudies.com