We share traits with every single human on this planet. But often our differences define us more than our commonalities. In this episode we explore our empathetic potential, and how art just might be a bridge for creating better connection.
Social psychologist Dr. Sara Konrath and Director of the National Gallery of Art guide us through an exploration of art and empathy, and we explore a new public art installation at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial in Washington State.
Head over to CreativeFuelCollective.com for more creative inspiration, prompts, online workshops and a robust creative community.
Hosted by Anna Brones
Co-Produced by Anna Brones & Gale Straub
Theme Music is by cleod9 music
Season 1 is Made with Support by Big Cartel
Featuring:
- Kaywin Feldman: Kaywin Feldman is the director of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. She is the National Gallery's fifth director, and the first female to hold the position. Before coming to the National Gallery, she served for a decade as the director and president of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Terra Foundation for American Art and a trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the White House Historical Association, and the Chipstone Foundation. Feldman holds master's degrees in art history and archeology from the University of London.
- Links:
- Sara Konrath: Sara Konrath is a social psychologist who directs the Interdisciplinary Program on Empathy and Altruism Research at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Her scientific research focuses on topics related to social and emotional intelligence. For example, her studies explore changes over time in these traits among American young people. Other research examines implications of these traits for individuals themselves and for other people. For example, she has published extensively on the health and happiness benefits of giving. She also creates and evaluates empathy-building training programs in a variety of groups, including young people, nonprofit professionals, art museum staff and visitors, and doctors. Konrath holds a PhD. in Social Psychology from the University of Michigan.
- Links: ipearlab.org
- Carol Reitz: Originally from Minnesota, Carol Reitz serves as the president of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community on Bainbridge Island in Washington State. She is also a Bainbridge Island Rotarian and played piano for high school choirs. Loves to play pickleball, knit, and serve as a docent and volunteer host at the Exclusion Memorial educating visitors from around the world.
Resources Mentioned & Places to Learn More
- Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
- Scrovegni Chapel
- Minneapolis Institute of Art Center for Empathy and the Visual Arts
- Does Arts Engagement Increase Empathy and Prosocial Behavior?
- Eric Klinenberg, “Why Libraries Will Save the World”
- “Art as a Trojan Horse,” part of Dr. Konrath’s column for Psychology Today, The Empathy Gap
- Images of public art installation at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial deck
- Video of the production and fabrication of some of the components in Anna Brones and Luc Revel’s artwork for the Bainbridge Island Japanese Exclusion Memorial
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