Dr. Sandra Graves (Kagin) Alcorn was a pioneer in the field of Art Therapy. Her contributions to
the formation and foundation of the profession are of significance. An attendee of the first
meeting of the American Art Therapy Association, the author of the Media Dimension Variables
and a co-creator of the Expressive Therapies Continuum, Dr. Graves Alcorn impacted critical
elements of what it means to be a professional art therapist today. She believed strongly in
supporting those who felt lost or insignificant. She rose to the occasion of presenting to
legislators to promote the voice of victims and impact change and validate the work of art
therapists. She taught many why the profession is important, how to serve those in your care,
and how to fight for something you believe in. She was a practitioner and a practicing artist. She created art and facilitated the creation of art and knew the power it had for healing.
As students in a program she founded, we are interested in how you think you can continue to live out what she started. Why does art therapy matter to you? What do you offer to the field? How are you suited to become both a safe space for others and a voice for those in need? How have you experienced the healing power of art in your own life?
the formation and foundation of the profession are of significance. An attendee of the first
meeting of the American Art Therapy Association, the author of the Media Dimension Variables
and a co-creator of the Expressive Therapies Continuum, Dr. Graves Alcorn impacted critical
elements of what it means to be a professional art therapist today. She believed strongly in
supporting those who felt lost or insignificant. She rose to the occasion of presenting to
legislators to promote the voice of victims and impact change and validate the work of art
therapists. She taught many why the profession is important, how to serve those in your care,
and how to fight for something you believe in. She was a practitioner and a practicing artist. She created art and facilitated the creation of art and knew the power it had for healing.
As students in a program she founded, we are interested in how you think you can continue to live out what she started. Why does art therapy matter to you? What do you offer to the field? How are you suited to become both a safe space for others and a voice for those in need? How have you experienced the healing power of art in your own life?
Scholarship Information
The Kagin family, in collaboration with the Kentucky Art Therapy Association, has established a scholarship to honor the memory and legacy of Sandra (Kagin) Graves-Alcorn. This scholarship provides financial support to first-year graduate students pursuing a degree in art therapy. Funds will be applied directly to the recipient's tuition through the Office of the Bursar at the University of Louisville.
At the time of application, candidates must:
At the time of application, candidates must:
- Be a first-year graduate student of the University of Louisville Master of Education - Counseling and Personnel Services with a concentration in Art Therapy
- Hold a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Be an active member in the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) and the Kentucky Art Therapy Association (KYATA)
- Complete and submit all application materials by the deadline of June 1 at 11:59pm, including the required image of artwork with explanation