Nouriel Roubini, Professor of Economics and International Business at New York University's Stern School of Business | New York University's Stern School of Business
Nouriel Roubini, Professor of Economics and International Business at New York University's Stern School of Business | New York University's Stern School of Business
Parade, an immersive festival co-led by Maria Hodermarska from Drama Therapy and Dr. Nan Smither from Educational Theatre, brought together students, faculty, and community partners in Washington Square Park in 2023. Photo by Cory Berezow and Billie Michael.
Why does a mother’s lullaby soothe her agitated child? How does storytelling help reduce the effects of loneliness? Can making art heal fractured communities by promoting engagement, creativity, and connection?
These questions are at the heart of “The Art and Science of Social Connection,” a day-long symposium on September 18 hosted by NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at the Eisner & Lubin Auditorium in the Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South.
Part of the United Nations General Assembly Healing Arts Week, produced by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the event explores how art fosters social connection and offers ways to promote a more connected culture.
Participants include Renee Fleming, renowned opera singer and WHO Arts & Health Ambassador; Maria Rosario Jackson, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts; Christopher Bailey, the Arts & Health Lead for WHO; and several NYU Steinhardt experts in dance, theater, music, and other creative arts therapies.
Dr. Jeremy Nobel, author of Project UnLonely: Healing our Crisis of Disconnection and a faculty member of NYU Langone’s Department of Psychiatry, will deliver the keynote address.
According to WHO data, social isolation and loneliness affect physical and mental health significantly. Their impact on mortality is comparable to smoking or obesity. US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy has also declared loneliness and social isolation an epidemic.
“There is increasing evidence indicating the benefits of the arts and creative arts therapies in improving health at any age,” says Nisha Sajnani, director of the Steinhardt Drama Therapy program and co-director of James Arts & Health Lab. “This symposium will illuminate how artistic expression can motivate individuals and communities to participate more fully in their own health and wellbeing.”
Jack Knott, Gale and Ira Druckier Dean of NYU Steinhardt will open the symposium followed by Fleming. Nobel will highlight his work using creative expression to address chronic loneliness. Jackson, Bailey, Sajnani along with Jill Sonke from University of Florida’s Center for Arts in Medicine; Larissa Trinder from NYC Health + Hospitals’ Arts in Medicine program will describe various arts initiatives addressing this issue.
Journalist Julia Hotz moderates a panel on programs that nurture social connections through dance, theater, and art featuring Steinhardt professors Marygrace Berberian (art), Joe Salvatore (drama), Deborah Damast (dance), Nicole Fleetwood author of Marking Time: Art in Age Mass Incarceration; J. Lawrence Aber former director Global TIES for Children center promoting children’s learning development.
During lunch Constantina Theofanopoulou professor at Rockefeller University visiting scholar at NYU Center Ballet Arts demonstrates her neuroscience research into neural circuits complex sensory motor behaviors including dance speech as they relate social connection possibly leading breakthroughs therapies speech motor disorders.
The final panel includes Ian Koebner strategic advisor health wellness research Carnegie Hall Kenneth Aigen director Steinhardt Music Therapy program Ana Flavia Zuim director Vocal Performance program Adriana Diaz-Donoso director music education Morwaread Farbood professor music technology explaining science using music promote social wellbeing bridging divides aftermath conflict moderated Carlos Chirinos-Espin director NYU Music Social Change Lab.
The symposium begins with refreshments at 8:30 a.m., Kimmel Center 60 Washington Square South Registration free via website provided.
About NYU Steinhardt
Located New York City Greenwich Village NYU’s Steinhardt School Culture Education Human Development prepares students careers arts education health media psychology Founded 1890 mission expand human capacity public service global collaboration research scholarship practice Learn more steinhardt.nyu.edu
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