Presented As Part of The Newark Arts Festival

Drama With A Twist presents

New Jersey Creative Art Therapies Symposium

Pathways to Purpose & Wellness

Inaugural Symposium on Saturday, October 10, 2026

9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. | 📍Glass Roots | Newark Glass Art Center

Funded by The City of Newark’s Creative Catalyst Grant

The NJ Creative Arts Therapies Symposium aims to bring together and unify creative arts therapists from across New Jersey and beyond to share innovative practices, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthen our creative arts therapies community. 

This inaugural symposium, made possible this year through the support of the City of Newark's Creative Catalyst Grant, is designed for creative arts therapists, mental health professionals, healthcare providers, educators, students, artists, community organizations, and all who are interested in the arts to promote healing, connection, and well-being.

Join us in celebrating the transformative power of creativity as we explore pathways to purpose, wellness, and stronger communities through creative arts therapies.

Educational workshops will address:

  • Purpose, meaning-making, and identity

  • Community healing and social connection

  • Trauma-informed and resilience-focused practices

  • Creative Arts Therapies in healthcare, education, and community (clinical and non-clinical settings)

  • Cultural responsiveness, neurodiversity, accessibility, disability studies, and inclusive practice

  • Mental health and emotional well-being

  • Approaches to advocacy, racial and social justice

  • Emerging research and evidence-informed practice 

  • Innovative interdisciplinary collaborations

This symposium was made possible through the generous contributions of The City of Newark’s Creative Catalyst Grant.