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The Report: Art Creativity and the Science of Learning

      The students read and discussed the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Workshop on “Art, Creativity and Learning.”  The workshop, held at the National Science Foundation Headquarters in Arlington Virginia and The Phillips Collection on June 11-13, 2008, brought together a pool of the world's leading investigators interested in the relations between the enhancement of learning, the transfer of cognitive abilities, and art education. Our attention focused specifically on dance.

                                                          The general goals of the workshop were:

(i)     to  establish if there is a sufficient basis for initiating a field of study of the Enhancement of Learning through Art to the Science of Learning.

(ii)            to explore the current status of related research.

(iii)      to determine the potential for future research in this arena from the neuroscientific, cognitive and educational perspectives.

                                                        Main Results of the Workshop in Relation to Dance

1. Dance integrates the rhythmicity of music and the representational capacity  of   language.

2. Neuroimaging studies of dance were presented that have examined brain       areas involved in both the production and perception of dance.

3. Perception studies have evaluated neural “expertise effects”, demonstrating brain activations that occur preferentially in people who are competent to perform the dance movements. 

4. Neuroscientific evidence was presented suggesting that music and dance may activate two parts of the same motor-action-imitation system through mirror neurons.

5. Music and dance also evoke emotions and stimulate visual images; that expand the scope of the material being learned by maintaining attention and allowing a higher level of memory retention

 STUDENTS' FEEDBACK

“The outcomes of having diverse minds is beneficial for everyone in the class as it creates a new points of view that otherwise may have never been thought of based on each individual background.” AdrianaNevilacqua

“This [report] can shape the development of education” for children’s future. Camila Chediak

“We have to command respect in order to get a proper learning space .” Jordan Rezman

“Through the release of art and the space to express creativity one can prevent future Hittlers from rising to power.” Kyla Stewart

“Art can be out there and does not have to conform to society’s norms.” Briana Earhart

“Everyone deserves a chance to find a way to leave a mark in the world.” Keiko Shivers

“As a person studying sciences, I appreciate the scientific evidence that is showing how the arts can change how a brain functions.” Ellen Mitchell

“I love the story …of the Cuban-American artist [Ana Mendieta]; I am inspired and intrigued by her creativity and her courage. She was bold and unafraid to be herself.” Reece Haire

Siento que todos dememos usar el arte como un escape para relajar la mente y poder ver las cosas de un angulo diferente.” I feel we should use art as a escape to relax the mind and be able to see things from a different angle.” Sara Valbuena

“I like this concept that art can give people a voice and a meaning.” Saskia St. Lot

“I think expressing your creative  self can be a learning experience” Angle Nieves
“I learned … how important the arts are in children’s education.” Patricia Victor


“The scientific [research] on dance can help who disregard it, to accept it and understand the knowledge behind it .” Ruqayah Abdullah

References
Tyler, Christopher W.  Final Workshop Report: Art Creativity and Learning.  National Science    foundation, 2008.      

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