The Muse Dialogue

Intrinsic Impact Research: A New Frontier in Making the Case for the Arts

themusedialogue — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:50:47 +0000

Arts managers, administrators and educators often justify the importance of the arts through “extrinsic” consequences. Study of music helps to improve math performance, for example, or galleries and arts communities help in economic and community development initiatives. Yet we should always remember that the first consequence of art is intrinsic. In other words, before art affects our math scores or our communities, it affects us in some inner space.

A group of graduate researchers conducted a case study in intrinsic impact at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Museum of Art. One of those involved in the research, Jessica Ryan, composes our next installment of The Muse Dialogue: “Intrinsic Impact Research: A New Frontier in Making the Case for the Arts.” In it she summarizes their research and their findings.

Click here to read this exploration of museum visitors and the consequence of the visual arts.

The Healing Power of Music: An Interview with Penny Brill

themusedialogue — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:15:41 +0000

Penny Brill

Penny Anderson Brill has explored the connection between art and healing in a personal way. A graduate of Juilliard, she joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 1980, as a violist. Yet her commitment to music and its potential impact has taken her not only to the stage but also to area hospitals and wellness programs. Her work in bringing art to healing environments has attracted international attention, and I wanted to learn more about this artist who has translated her virtuosity into serving the wellness of many over the years.

Click here for Jessica Ryan’s interview with the fascinating Penny Brill, who has demonstrated first-hand the healing power of music.

Hospital Design: What Difference Does It Make?

themusedialogue — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:56:37 +0000

The new Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, which takes aesthetics and healing into account, opened its doors in 2009.

Architects, designers, and health care providers now recognize that they cannot ignore aesthetics when constructing hospitals. An aesthetically pleasing environment is therefore integral, and not periphery, to promoting healing.

Jessi Ryan explores the aesthetics of hospitals and hospital architecture in our next article from The Muse Dialogue: “Hospital Design: What Difference Does It Make.” (click to view full article)