Small states were invited to apply and receive up to three paintings to be used for fundraising through a silent auction, raffle or an auction, and support their state psychological association.
This program was inspired by one of the outcomes of a survey conducted by Division 31 Past President, Elena Eisman. The survey highlighted the need for subsistence for small states psychological associations and the importance of receiving grants for their viability.
With the help of the Division Engagement Office and APA lawyers, four forms were created: an application form, a program description and criteria form, a rubric scoring form and a form donation acceptance agreement. The donation acceptance agreement needed to be signed and returned by email prior to the mailing of the paintings. Painting sizes were from 12” x 12”, 11” x 14”, and 16” x 20”. The paintings were primarily Caribbean and European landscapes. They were all framed and shipped to the SPTAs at no cost to the recipients.
Listed below were the criteria to apply:
- The SPTA must be a small state with less than 500 members.
- The SPTA’s level of need.
- The extent to which the panel believed that the SPTA’s plan for use of the donation would leverage the value of the donation to potentially maximize the impact of the donation.
- The extent to which the panel believed that the SPTA’s plan for use of the donation may provide continuing financial support for the SPTA (e.g., such as by increasing or sustaining membership in the SPTA or by regular implementation of the model for successive years).
- Be a current/active member of Division 31.
The deadline to apply was April 30, 2024. A committee was created to select recipients to be awarded the paintings. Members of the committee were: Melba Vazquez, Antonio Puente, Eric Russ, Elena Eisman, Dinelia Rosa, Bruce Bobbitt and Chuck Hollister. I’m pleased to announce that the recipients of paintings were:
- Arizona Psychological Association
- Guam Psychological Association
- Mississippi Psychological Association
- Missouri Psychological Association
- Oklahoma Psychological Association
- Nevada Psychological Association
We want to congratulate these psychological associations. In addition, recipients will be meeting with some SPTAs Special Support Program Committee members to share thoughts on how to maximize the use of their paintings in support of their psychological association.
Division 31 continues to advocate for APA grants for our small state psychological associations. Although this was a new program, we hope it sets the model for new ideas and programming to support our state associations in need. We thank all who participated in this program!
See page 11 of the PDF version of the newsletter to view pictures oof the paintings awarded.