Community-Based Art Studios in Europe and the United States: A Comparative Study

This survey research compares the structure and practices of 7 community studio art programs for artists with disabilities in Europe to 8 studio art therapy programs in the United States. Art therapy and disability arts literature was reviewed to establish a theoretical context for this project. A survey research method was used, with statistical and narrative analysis to interpret the data. In general, more similarities than differences were found between the two samples. The theoretical and philosophical implications of these comparisons are discussed with respect to expanding models of art therapy practice.