Institute for Therapy through the Arts Establishes Independence

The Institute for Therapy through the Arts (ITA), celebrating 40 years of providing creative arts therapies to children, adults, and families, announces its decision to become an independent nonprofit organization. Operating since its founding as a division of the Music Institute of Chicago, one of the leading community music schools in the United States, the ITA is targeting fall 2015 for this institutional shift.

Executive Director Jennifer Rook is optimistic about this development. "ITA is stronger than it has ever been, and we are ready to move forward in achieving our goal to bring the creative arts therapies to more individuals. I look forward to working with our new Board of Directors and Advisory Council as we implement our strategic plan."

The decision to establish independence comes at a pivotal time, following the recent successes of ITA's therapy practice. After implementing a three-year strategic plan in 2012, ITA experienced significant growth and made greater investments in programs and staff. In 2014, ITA began billing Blue Cross Blue Shield for psychotherapy sessions provided by creative arts therapists who were also licensed as counselors, social workers, or psychologists, allowing them to serve more clients who previously did not have the means to pay for therapy out of pocket. Additionally, an anonymous donor provided a three-year grant to offset a portion of ITA's operating expenses and invest in new initiatives as the staff worked to achieve a sustainable financial structure.

Marilyn "Toddy" Richman, founding director of ITA, said, "The community depends on ITA to provide innovative creative arts therapy. That ITA is able to take this step toward independence is emblematic of the strong clinical and administrative leadership of the past several years. I look forward to many more decades of ITA service to the community."

Music Institute President and CEO Mark George commented, "The Music Institute is proud to have nurtured ITA for the past four decades. Along with our Trustees, I believe ITA is poised to flourish as an independent organization. I am also pleased that ITA will maintain a strong programmatic association with the Music Institute."

ITA plans to remain in its current office space, located in the Music Institute's downtown Evanston campus. "ITA's evolution into becoming a distinct organization has been a team effort," said Jill Calian, ITA Advisory Council chair and Music Institute trustee. "This would not have been possible without the support of the Music Institute staff and Board of Trustees. ITA is very fortunate to have started as part of a larger organization; now, after 40 years, ITA is ready to begin this new chapter."

ITA celebrates 40 years of providing creative arts therapies to children, adults, and families with a festive celebration Tuesday, June 9 at 7 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston. Highlights of the evening include the presentation of awards to two advocates of creative arts therapies:Carrie Ann Inaba, a longtime judge on the ABC television program Dancing with the Stars, receives the Lamplighter Award for Arts in Healing, and Harriet Wadeson, an author, educator, and pioneer in creative arts therapies, receives the Marilyn Richman Legacy Award. All proceeds support the ITA Future Fund to assist ITA with its transition to independence. For tickets and more information, visit ITAis40.org.

Institute for Therapy through the Arts - Founded in 1975 as a division of the Music Institute of Chicago, the Institute for Therapy through the Arts (ITA) empowers and energizes individuals, families, and communities to grow and heal by engaging in creative arts therapies and is one of the few comprehensive, community-based arts therapy programs in the United States to offer four creative arts treatment modalities: Music Therapy, Drama Therapy, Art Therapy, and Dance/Movement Therapy. ITA achieves its mission by inspiring change and wellness in individuals and families through creative arts therapies; strengthening health in community organizations by providing state of the art consultation, training, and clinical programs; cultivating achievement in students' academic and social development through a collaborative team approach to treatment; andforging leadership in the creative arts therapy fields by advocating for each discipline and providing integrated training experiences. ITA has received national recognition and distinguished itself in the use of integrated arts approaches to help children, adults, and families to improve functioning related to psychological, developmental, physical, or cognitive factors.

Music Institute of Chicago - The Music Institute of Chicago is a community music school dedicated to transforming lives through music education, leading individuals toward a lifelong engagement with music. Founded in 1931, the Music Institute, with locations in Chicago, Downers Grove, Evanston, Winnetka, Lincolnshire, and Lake Forest, has grown to become one of the largest and most respected community music schools in the nation. The Music Institute offers lessons, classes, and concerts through its Community Music School, Academy, and Nichols Concert Hall.

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