Tara Leigh Tappert is an archives and American arts consultant who offers research, writing, editing, and curatorial and collections management services to arts and cultural institutions, and to private individuals and families. She holds a Ph.D. in American Civilization from the George Washington University, Washington, D.C., an M.S.L.S. in Library and Archives Administration from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, and a B.A. in History from Hope College, Holland, MI. During the course of her career Tara has completed archives and arts projects for such institutions as the Smithsonian, Goucher College, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Williams College, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.

An interest in the use of arts for healing - inspired by an arts project for a small hospital in Michigan - combined with expertise on the history of 20th c. American arts, crafts, and design - acquired through research and writing projects for exhibitions at the Museum of Arts and Design in NYC - ignited an interest in arts and crafts and the military. In the 20th c. the American military incorporated the use of crafts in two major service areas - as a tool for rehabilitation treating wounded soldiers and veterans through occupational therapy, vocational training, and arts therapy, beginning with World War I, and as a leisure and recreation activity promoting a sense of well-being and efficacy, beginning with World War II.

With the war in Iraq and Afghanistan as now the longest military conflict in American history, our soldiers and veterans are experiencing unprecedented effects of continuing military service. From physical wounds to the mental distress of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), today's soldiers and veterans are using an unprecedented number of alternative therapies, including arts therapies for reorientation and for healing. I am interested in understanding how and why arts and crafts making was - and undoubtedly still is - so helpful in returning both the mind and body to a state of well-being.

- Tara Tappert