Art therapy is emerging as an alternative approach to healing and improving mental well-being, yet its effects are still unknown to many.

A recent online seminar, jointly organized by the art management school of Central Academy of Fine Arts and Narrative Drawing Intervention Institute, sheds light on the diversity and inclusiveness of art therapy in different cultural backgrounds. The two-day event attracted scholars and therapists in the field from more than 10 countries and regions who hoped their sharing of cases would broaden the vision of art therapy in social development, especially in a post pandemic world.

Zhao Li, a professor in charge of the art therapy research center at CAFA, says that the pandemic has opened up people's mind on the role of art as a healing power. Zhao says he looks forward to a planned art therapist convention, aiming to be held in Beijing in 2024.