Why and how art works as a catalyst for personal growth?

Art has long been recognised for its ability to inspire, challenge, and transform. But how does it actually act as a powerful tool for personal growth? Engaging with art—whether through creation or appreciation—can unlock self-awareness, foster emotional intelligence, and stimulate creative problem-solving. Arts-based methods allow individuals to explore emotions, question assumptions, and embrace discomfort, leading to profound personal development. By connecting into imagination and reflection, art encourages resilience, empathy, and innovation, making it an essential catalyst for growth in both personal and professional contexts.

Explore this curated collection of recent scientific articles that provide evidence supporting these insights.

 

Arts-based interventions to reduce anxiety levels among college students

Aaron R. E., Rinehart K. L., & Ceballos N. A. (2011)

This study demonstrates how engaging in arts-based interventions can significantly reduce anxiety among students, emphasizing art’s ability to foster emotional regulation and stress relief.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2010.481290

 

Supremacy of Arts-Based research techniques and critical thinking

Alu N. F. et al. (2022)

This research highlights how arts-based methods enhance critical thinking and creativity, offering a powerful tool in education to foster deeper cognitive engagement and problem-solving skills.

Link: https://doi.org/10.15739/ijeprr.22.007

 

Lost in translation? Transferring creativity insights from arts into management

Ancelin-Bourguignon A. et al. (2020).

The article explores how insights from arts-based practices can be transferred into management contexts to stimulate creativity, innovative thinking, and new leadership approaches.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1177/1350508419855716

 

Art of learning—An art-based intervention aimed at improving children’s executive functions

Andersen P. N. et al. (2019)

This study finds that arts-based learning interventions can significantly improve children’s executive functions, including attention, planning, and emotional control, through creative engagement.

Link: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01769

 

Drum training induces long-term plasticity in the cerebellum and connected cortical thickness

Bruchhage M. M. et al. (2020)

Research shows that musical training, particularly drumming, can induce structural changes in the brain, enhancing cognitive functions and long-term learning abilities.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65877-2

 

Emotions and Learning in Arts-Based Practices of Educational Innovation

Chemi T. & Jensen J. (2015)

The study investigates how emotions are integrated into arts-based educational practices, emphasizing their role in fostering deeper learning and personal engagement.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6300-064-2_2

 

Music training is associated with cortical synchronization during verbal memory encoding

Cheung M. C. et al. (2017)

This study highlights how music training enhances cortical synchronization, improving memory encoding and cognitive functions, showing how arts-based activities can directly impact brain function.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0174906

 

The drivers of reflection in arts-based coaching

Coller-Peter S. V. & Olinger H. N. (2022)

This article explores how arts-based coaching facilitates deep reflection, allowing individuals to explore new perspectives, enhance self-awareness, and develop emotional intelligence.

Link: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajbm.v53i1.2765

 

Creativity, uncertainty, and discomfort: Teachers as writers

Cremin T. (2006)

This research examines how engaging in creative writing can evoke discomfort yet lead to personal growth, encouraging participants to embrace uncertainty and develop resilience.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/03057640600866023

 

Analysis of the use of therapeutic songwriting in music therapy and mental health

Dineen D. (2020)

This study discusses the benefits of therapeutic songwriting for mental health, illustrating how creative expression in songwriting fosters emotional healing and cognitive processing.

Link: https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.31290.62409

 

Entrepreneurial Intention in Business Students: The Impact of an Art-Based Program

Espinosa F. et al. (2020)

This study examines how an art-based program can foster entrepreneurial intentions in business students by encouraging creativity, innovative thinking, and emotional resilience.

Link: No DOI available

 

Working with the potential of arts-based learning

Flamand G. et al. (2022)

The article explores how arts-based learning methods encourage innovation and challenge “business as usual” mindsets, pushing participants to explore creativity and unconventional solutions.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1177/1350507621990256

 

The effects of arts-integrated instruction on memory for science content

Hardiman M. M. et al. (2019)

This study shows that integrating art into science education enhances memory retention and engagement, demonstrating how arts-based methods can boost learning in other disciplines.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tine.2019.02.002

 

Musical training induces functional plasticity in human hippocampus

Herdener M. et al. (2010)

The research shows that musical training promotes functional changes in the hippocampus, improving memory and cognitive flexibility through sustained creative engagement.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4513-09.2010

 

Crafting life stories in photocollage: An online creative art-based intervention for older adults

Keisari S. et al. (2022)

This article reveals how creating photo collages helps older adults process their life stories, enhancing emotional well-being and providing a meaningful reflective tool.

Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12010001

 

The effects of music listening on self-efficacy and task performance of online learners

Lim H. & Bang E.-J. (2018)

The study finds that listening to music improves online learners’ self-efficacy and task performance, emphasizing the cognitive and emotional benefits of music in learning environments.

Link: https://doi.org/10.31380/sotlched.8.1.13

 

Arts-based initiatives as a holistic solution in business education

Maleško J. & Tjurdju O. (2016)

This research advocates for integrating arts-based initiatives in business education, showing how they enhance creativity, collaboration, and holistic learning approaches in managerial training.

Link: https://doi.org/10.12955/cbup.v4.779

 

Arts-based research across the lifespan and its contribution to resilience and well-being

McKay L. et al. (2020)

This article highlights how arts-based research fosters resilience and well-being across different stages of life, offering valuable tools for emotional and personal development.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26053-8_18

 

Arts-based learning in vocational education: Using arts-based approaches to enrich vocational pedagogy

Meltzer C. & Schwencke E. (2020)

The study examines how arts-based learning in vocational education improves professional competence, enriching pedagogy and enhancing the development of vocational identity.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1177/1477971419846640

 

The power of art to foster systems thinking for sustainable development

Molderez I. & Ceulemans K. (2018)

This article discusses how art fosters systems thinking, a crucial competency for sustainable development, helping learners think more holistically about complex global challenges.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.120

 

Arts-based teaching and learning in teacher education

Møller-Skau M. & Lindstøl F. (2022)

This systematic review emphasizes how arts-based methods in teacher education crystallize learning outcomes, offering innovative ways to reflect and engage deeply with educational content.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103545

 

Arts-based learning at work: Innovation and the practicality of arts in business

Nissley N. (2010)

The article explores the practical applications of arts-based learning in business, highlighting its role in fostering innovation and adaptability during economic downturns.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1108/02756661011055140

 

Arts-Based Methods for Transformative Engagement

Pearson K. R. et al. (n.d.)

The article discusses how arts-based methods promote transformative engagement, encouraging participants to reflect, innovate, and challenge existing perspectives.

Link: https://doi.org/10.18174/442794

 

The effectiveness of arts-based interventions in medical education

Perry M. et al. (2011)

The article reviews how arts-based interventions improve medical education by fostering empathy, emotional intelligence, and communication skills in future healthcare professionals.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.2010.03848.x

 

MISC-MUSIC: A music program to enhance cognitive processing among children with learning difficulties

Portowitz A. & Klein P. S. (2007)

This research demonstrates how a music-based intervention enhances cognitive processing and learning outcomes for children with learning difficulties.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1177/0255761407087263

 

Effects on leaders of an art-based leadership intervention

Romanowska J. et al. (2013)

This study shows how art-based leadership interventions enhance leadership skills by fostering emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and reflective practices.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-02-2012-0029

 

Art-based intervention for self-regulation among athletes

Roy J. et al. (2016)

The article demonstrates how art-based interventions help athletes improve self-regulation, promoting focus, emotional control, and performance optimization.

Link: https://doi.org/10.5539/ijps.v8n3p215

 

The aesthetic turn in mental health: Reflections on arts therapies

Samaritter R. (2018)

This study reflects on the growing role of arts therapies in mental health, exploring how aesthetic experiences contribute to emotional healing and psychological well-being.

Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/bs8040041

 

The effect of playing music on the confidence level

Shayan N. et al. (2011)

This study shows how playing music can significantly boost confidence levels, providing both emotional and cognitive benefits.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.10.400

 

Realizing the potential of art-based interventions in managerial learning

Springborg C. & Ladkin D. (2018)

The article discusses how art-based interventions in managerial learning unlock embodied cognition, offering an innovative approach to leadership development and decision-making.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2017.10.032

 

Arts-based interventions for people living with dementia

Strohmaier S. et al. (2021)

This research measures the real-time well-being benefits of arts-based interventions for dementia patients, highlighting their role in improving emotional health and social engagement.

Link: https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16596.1

 

From Experiential Learning to Aesthetic Knowing: The Arts in Leadership Development

Sutherland I. & Jelinek J. (2015)

This article examines how arts-based experiential learning contributes to aesthetic knowing, enriching leadership development by enhancing emotional insight and self-awareness.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1177/1523422315587894

 

Discovery from Discomfort: Embracing the Liminal in Arts-Based Research

Sutton E. (2020)

This research highlights the value of embracing discomfort and uncertainty in arts-based research, demonstrating how liminal experiences foster personal and professional growth.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/jade.12321