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Lisa and Lauren, Co-founding Directors of Art is Moving, chat with Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen about their new book, "Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us." A great deal is covered in the conversation including how the education system fails students when it comes to taking an art break, why fear plays a huge role in understanding the positive impact of art, and much more. Watch the conversation or listen to it on most podcast platforms.

We all have a sense that the arts are “good for us.” Now, we have a deeply researched and engaging new book that explains why.
Arts and aesthetic experiences rewire the brain—with significant implications for addressing the global health and wellbeing crisis. The arts are also a catalyst for helping us to flourish, build strong communities and learn better—even doctors are prescribing museum visits!

In Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us (March 21, 2023; Random House), co-authors Susan Magsamen, Founder and Director of the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Ivy Ross, Vice President of Design for the hardware product area at Google, explain the emerging field of neuroaesthetics and what it means for our lives.

Neuroarts is the study of how arts and aesthetic experiences change the brain, body, and behavior and how this knowledge can be translated to advance health and wellbeing for billions of people. Pouring over the data, Magsamen and Ross found that just 20 minutes of art a day makes a huge difference as either the maker or the beholder.

Think: Singing in the shower. Microdosing coloring books. Dipping into a sound bath between meetings. Forest bathing over lunch.

Through the power of these aesthetic experiences, circuits and neuropathways in your brain are activated, altering a cascade of physical and mental changes including anxiety and stress. Short bursts of art—no talent required—will enhance your life, whether you are eight or 80 years old. In fact, one or more art experiences a month can extend your life by ten years.

Packed with dozens of studies and interviews with leading scientists and artists including David Byrne, Your Brain on Art shows how to take advantage of everyday art and aesthetic experiences, including:

Sound: how vibration and frequencies are being used to optimize creativity and cognition

Architecture: why the built environment affects how we think, feel and perform

Visual Arts: how painting and mask making can alleviate PTSD and trauma 

Nature: how access to the natural world relieves stress and anxiety

Dancing: why people with Parkinson’s Disease and stroke have improved movement

Music: how what we hear has a profound effect on your memory

Thanks to Your Brain on Art, we are now proving that the arts are not just nice to have—they are essential to our very survival. We’ll be in touch soon to discuss coverage possibilities with you.

More at https://www.yourbrainonart.com/

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Learn more about the Take an Art Break Movement on the Art is Moving website here.