Arts and Art Therapy with the Imprisoned: The Symposium

The first ever Symposium surrounding the Arts and Art Therapy with the Imprisoned will be held from March 4 (Thursday) to March 6 (Saturday), 2027 at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. The symposium’s purpose is to explore “How Might We reimagine and empower the fields of the Arts & Art Therapy with those Imprisoned such that they provide a supportive network of networks for each other and the community?” 

AATI has been pursuing our mission of harnessing the power of arts and art therapy to elicit change for those inside carceral systems, and we know that there are so many other individuals and organizations with similar and related goals. Let’s use this space to join forces to support each other in pursuit of making the strongest impact toward this greater good. The central focus of this symposium is to Co-create this network of networks that will progress us toward change. Along with fascinating presentations and an incredible keynote, there will also be an inspiring art exhibition hosted by FSU’s Museum of Fine Art, a performance from the FSU School of Dance, and a special film showing at the Tallahassee Challenger Learning Center. Special thanks to FCHEP, SIE Co-Lab, COCA, FSU MoFa, the Tallahassee Challenger Learning Center and FSU Opening Nights for their support. 

REGISTER NOW! EARLY BIRD OPEN UNTIL MON, NOV 30 

RATES: 
Presenters:  $100 
Early bird:  $125 
Normal bird:  $175 
Students:  $65 

Arrangements for hotel blocks will be provided at a later date. 

ACCEPTING PAPERS, PANELS AND PRESENTER SUBMISSIONS NOW! 

DUE DATE: SEPTEMBER 30 

We invite any and all of you who are directly or tangentially involved with the arts within the carceral ecosystem to submit a proposal to present—with the shared vision of creating a network of networks—emphasizing: 

• Collaborative and innovative connections within and outside the arts and correctional systems to build a sustaining and impactful web of changemakers.
• The potential for how the arts can serve as a “great equalizer” between and within the outside and inside cultures.
• How art can help unlock new ways of seeing ourselves, each other, and the world around us while facilitating liberation. 

AATI invites proposals for the 2027 International “Arts and Art Therapy with the Imprisoned: The Symposium” which will be held in-person on March 4 (Thursday) to March 6 (Saturday), 2027. Please note, all presenters must register for the conference and present in-person at Florida State University. Before submitting this form, please review the full call for proposals on the 2026 conference page. 

DEADLINE: The deadline to propose a session is Wednesday, September 30 at 11:59pm EST. Notifications will only be sent to the primary contact listed on this form by October 23. 

If you have any questions, please contact us at aati@cfa.fsu.edu 

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria: 

• Clarity of presentation objectives and methods 
• Relevance to conference theme and/or chosen track 
• Creative contribution to, or advancement of, the topic/field 
• Clear and achievable learning objectives/takeaways 

Proposal Details: 

• Proposal Full Title: 12 words max 
• Proposal Abbreviated Title: 40 characters max 
• Proposal Abstract: 250 words max 
• 3 Learning Objectives 
• Presenter bio: 50 words max