Institute for Therapy through the Arts

08/18/2026

Institute for Therapy through the Arts (ITA) is proud to join AFSP Illinois and fellow community partners for Pride Pathways, a new su***de prevention program created for LGBTQ+ communities and allies.

We’re grateful to be part of this important day of learning, connection, and conversation focused on strengthening inclusive and affirming systems of support.

Registration is free thanks to the generosity of donors and sponsors of the Illinois Out of the Darkness Walks. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

📅 Saturday, Aug. 29
⏰ 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
📍 Center on Halsted, Chicago

Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/evzcynTt
Register: https://lnkd.in/ebN3pTbX

Join AFSP Illinois two weeks from today at Center on Halsted in Chicago for a su***de prevention event created for LGBTQ+ communities and allies. 🌈

Our chapter is proud to serve as one of a few pilot sites for AFSP's new Pride Pathways program ahead of its official nationwide winter launch. This full-day conference will deepen understanding of how su***de impacts LGBTQ+ communities and explore ways to foster more supportive, inclusive, and affirming environments.

The day will include general sessions and focused breakouts, with insights and resources from community partners including Center on Halsted, Lgbtq+ Center Lake County, Humankind Initiative, and Institute for Therapy through the Arts.

"By bringing together LGBTQ+ community members and allies to deepen understanding of su***de prevention and strengthen inclusive, affirming support systems, we are helping build a future where every person feels seen, valued, and connected," said Angela Cummings, AFSP Illinois executive director.

Registration is free thanks to the generosity of donors and sponsors of our Illinois Out of the Darkness Walks. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Read the press release: https://tinyurl.com/4ayat9d4

— Date: Saturday, August 29
— Time: 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
— Location: The Center on Halsted
— Registration: afspil-ppw-chicago.attendease.com

08/10/2026

We’re grateful to Evanston Now for sharing this exciting chapter for the Institute for Therapy through the Arts (ITA)!

This transformative $600,000 grant represents an incredible investment in the future of ITA and our continued work to expand access to Creative Arts Therapy.

Thank you to our community, supporters, partners, and friends who continue to believe in the power of the arts to create, grow, and heal. 💙

Read the full story from Evanston Now: https://evanstonnow.com/arts-therapy-non-profit-receives-600000-grant/

The Institute for Therapy though the Arts will use money to support clients facing a loss of Medicaid benefits.

07/31/2026

You may remember Mr. Sherman, the very distinguished puppet who stole the show at last year’s Block Party for the Arts. 🎩

He is back with an important announcement and a hopeful look ahead.

A special shoutout to ITA art therapist Amy Bernard, MAATC, LPC, ATR, for bringing Mr. Sherman to life!

07/31/2026

We are sorry to share that, due to forecasted rain and the lack of an indoor alternative, ITA’s Block Party for the Arts has been cancelled.

Thank you to all the artists, vendors, community organizations, volunteers, and neighbors who were preparing to participate. We sincerely appreciate your enthusiasm, flexibility, and support.

Please save the date for next year’s Block Party for the Arts on Saturday, August 7, 2027. We look forward to gathering with our community for a joyful celebration of creativity and connection.

Thank you for your understanding.

07/31/2026

Institute for Therapy through the Arts (ITA) was proud to be represented at a recent Music & Dementia Research Network workshop convening at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the Northwestern Music and Medicine Program.

ITA CEO Jeffrey Wolfe joined music therapists, researchers, and other professionals from across the country to explore the development of a Music-Based Intervention (MBI) protocol designed to examine the brain mechanisms activated during music therapy using mobile EEG technology (Mobile Brain-Body Imaging Technology). The interdisciplinary group observed preliminary data collection, discussed opportunities to strengthen the protocol, and considered how it might eventually be replicated across research pilot sites nationwide.

Among the attendees was Dr. José Luis Contreras-Vidal, a distinguished professor at the University of Houston and director of the NSF IUCRC BRAIN Center. His work at the intersection of neuroscience, technology, health, and the arts offered an especially meaningful connection to the weekend’s conversations.

Jeff also appreciated the opportunity to connect and collaborate with ITA Advisory Council Member Dr. Borna Bonakdarpour, Principal Investigator of the NIH/NIA U24 "Music and Dementia Research Network" Dr. Julene Johnson (University of California San Francisco), former ITA music therapy intern Eddie Stone, Illinois Association for Music Therapy President Mia Iliopoulos Krings, music therapy colleagues Dr. Melita Belgrave (Arizona State University) and Dr. Kyurim Kang (Johns Hopkins University), and fellow music and neuroscience colleagues striving to advance research in music therapy and dementia.

The convening also sparked valuable conversations about how ITA might strengthen the biometric measures used to evaluate Musical Bridges to Memory™. Developed by ITA in partnership with Northwestern Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology & Alzheimer's Disease, Musical Bridges to Memory uses music to foster connection, communication, and quality of life among individuals living with dementia and their care partners.
We look forward to exploring how emerging research tools may deepen our understanding of music therapy’s impact and help strengthen the evidence supporting this important work.

07/27/2026

The arts always has a way of bringing people together. 🎨 🎶 ✨

Join us this Saturday for ITA’s 2nd Annual Block Party for the Arts, a free, family-friendly celebration featuring:

🎭 Live performances
🎨 Hands-on creative experiences
🖌️ Local artists and organizations
🍴 Food and refreshments
🤝 Community connection

The celebration is part of First Saturday Evanston, with even more exhibitions, pop-ups, artist talks, and open studios happening throughout the community.

📅 Saturday, August 1
⏰ 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
📍 1300 block of Sherman Avenue
🎟️ Free admission

Come create, connect, and celebrate the arts with us!

07/22/2026

There's still time to join us!

We still have space to welcome Evanston-based artists, organizations, businesses, food vendors, and wellness resources to ITA’s 2nd Annual Block Party for the Arts.

This free, family-friendly celebration brings our community together through creativity, connection, mental health, and wellness.

Applications close this Friday. To learn more or reserve your space, contact Rachel Westerlund at [email protected].

📅 Saturday, August 1
🕚 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
📍 1300 block of Sherman Avenue, Evanston

07/16/2026

What a night to remember. ✨

ITA’s Healing Arts Celebration: Find Your Light brought our community together for an evening filled with creativity, connection, inspiring stories, and a shared commitment to making creative arts therapy accessible to more people.

We celebrated the remarkable contributions of Susan D. Imus, recipient of the Marilyn “Toddy” Richman Legacy Award, and Lisa Altenbernd and Stephen Hagerty, recipients of the Lamplighter Award.

And thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our community, we raised a net total of: $52,000!

Together, we surpassed our fundraising goal and made meaningful progress toward sustaining access to art, dance/movement, drama, and music therapy through ITA’s financial aid program.

Thank you to everyone who attended, sponsored, donated, bid in the silent auction, participated in the evening’s activities, volunteered, shared their stories, and helped bring Find Your Light to life.

We are deeply grateful for this community and all that you continue to make possible.

Support the work ahead: https://itachicago.givingfuel.com/ita-donation-page

07/13/2026

We’re hiring at the Institute for Therapy through the Arts (ITA)!

We are seeking compassionate, creative professionals who are committed to helping individuals, families, and communities grow and heal through the arts.

Current openings include:

• Art Therapist
• Dance/Movement Therapist
• Drama Therapist
• Music Therapist
• Grant Writer

Our therapist positions are full-time roles serving school and community settings across Chicagoland. The Grant Writer position is a part-time, remote independent contractor opportunity.

Explore each position, review qualifications, and apply at itachicago.org/careers.

Know someone who would be a wonderful addition to the ITA team? Please share this post with your network.

07/08/2026

Calling all local vendors, artists, makers, wellness providers, and community organizations!

ITA’s Block Party for the Arts is returning on Saturday, August 1, 2026, and we are looking for vendors and community partners to join us for a joyful afternoon of creativity, connection, and neighborhood celebration.

This family-friendly event will bring together local businesses, artists, food vendors, wellness resources, and community organizations for a day rooted in the arts, mental health, and meaningful connection.

Interested in participating? We would love to hear from you.

Vendor and community partner inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

Saturday, August 1, 2026
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Institute for Therapy through the Arts, Evanston