Art advocates Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen discuss the cognitive effects of art, exploring how it can unlock creativity, enhance well-being, and enrich communities. They emphasize the importance of combining art with STEM subjects, highlight the relaxing effects of tuning forks, and explore art as personalized medicine. They also discuss the unique impact of art on individuals compared to nature, the relationship between mental health and creativity, and the profound effect of art on the brain and emotions.
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Quick takeaways
Engaging with art can lead to increased creativity, collaboration, and connection, activating various physiological systems in the body.
Art experiences help students become more whole individuals by cultivating creativity, curiosity, and empathy, enhancing learning by making it more engaging, collaborative, and connected.
Deep dives
The Cognitive Effects of Art
Art has cognitive effects that can open our minds and foster new ways of understanding. Personal experiences with art, such as drawing or creating symbols, can provide a means for communication and self-expression. Neuro-aesthetics, the emerging field that combines neuroscience and art, explores the neurological impact of art experiences. Engaging with art can lead to increased creativity, collaboration, and connection. It activates various physiological systems in the body, such as the reward system, resulting in the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Art experiences offer a unique and powerful way to exercise the brain and foster personal growth.
The Importance of Arts in Education
Art should not be viewed as a secondary subject in education. It is essential for the development and well-being of students. Art experiences help students become more whole individuals by cultivating creativity, curiosity, and empathy. Integrating arts into all subjects can enhance learning by making it more engaging, collaborative, and connected. Art forms, such as drawing, dancing, and music, contribute to the development of social-emotional skills, neuroplasticity, and resilience in learners. Providing enriched environments and allowing students to engage in artistic activities at home and school can have profound long-term benefits for their overall growth and success.
The Personalized and Multifaceted Nature of Art
Art experiences are highly personalized and vary depending on individual sensibilities, cultural backgrounds, and personal values. What resonates with one person may not have the same impact on another. The aesthetic mindset encourages curiosity and exploration of different art modalities, such as painting, sculpting, or dancing. Art forms play diverse roles, from providing stress relief to catalyzing breakthrough insights. The complexity of human nature allows for an array of emotional responses to art, creating unique and profound experiences. By recognizing and embracing individual preferences, people can harness the power of art to enhance their lives and deepen their connections to the world.
The Relevance of Art in Society
Art is not just a form of entertainment but a catalyst for societal well-being and progress. The integration of art into various fields, from science to technology, fosters collaboration, creativity, and meaningful connections. Advocating for the importance of art in education and workplaces is crucial, as it cultivates holistic thinking, problem-solving skills, and innovation. Art serves as a means of self-expression and meaning-making, allowing individuals to navigate the complexities of the world. By embracing art's profound impacts on the brain and body, society can tap into its transformative power for personal, professional, and societal growth.
If you think of the arts as entertainment or luxury, Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross might ask you to reconsider. The authors of the New York Times bestseller “Your Brain on Art” argue that engaging with music, craft projects, and museums can transform our lives in unexpected ways. Susan, Ivy, and Adam delve into the fascinating science of neuroaesthetics, and explore how art can unlock creativity, enhance well-being, and enrich communities. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
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