ART THERAPY TRAINING IN SOUTH AFRICA: Pedagogical Strategies for Social Action During and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic

This chapter explores the intersection of art therapy and social action in the context of the University of Johannesburg’s newly introduced art therapy qualification. The chapter focuses on three main arguments. First, it examines the application of art therapy as a pedagogical strategy for social action in postgraduate teaching and research. Second, it explores the implications of maintaining this purpose and transitioning to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Third, it introduces the possibility of evaluation as a social change and development strategy. The chapter emphasises the value of art therapy training as a dimension of social action research in arts education. It advocates for the positive impact of the arts on mental health and well-being, particularly during the pandemic. It underscores the importance of higher education institutions in providing safe spaces and coping strategies for navigating uncertainty and anxiety. It further presents the opportunity for evaluation to be developmental, opening doorways to ongoing capacity building.