Art in Occupational Therapy: An Introduction to Occupation and the Artist

Abstract

Occupational therapy (OT) has been described as “the art and science of helping people do the day-to-day activities that are important and meaningful to their health and well being through engagement in valued occupations” (Crepeau, Cohn, & Schell, 2009, p. 217). This definition highlights the synthesis of both the art of practice and the science-based evidence of practice in the OT profession. Additionally, this definition underscores the importance of occupation in the practice of OT. The conceptualization of art as embedded in the definition of OT practice is rooted in the history and development of the profession (Levine, 1987). The “Occupation and the Artist” section of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT) will highlight the use of art in the practice of OT and in the occupations of both consumers of OT services and its practitioners. The