WPI Joins Neuroarts Academic Network

Jean King, the Peterson Family Dean of Arts and Sciences, has been named to the newly launched Neuroarts Academic Network (NAN). The network, created by the NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative, brings together leaders from 38 universities and organizations worldwide to advance the emerging interdisciplinary field of neuroarts—the study of how the arts affect the brain, body, and behavior and how this knowledge is applied to improve health and well-being. King’s appointment highlights both her expertise at the intersection of arts and humanities with neuroscience and WPI’s commitment to exploring how creative expression can drive innovation and well-being. At WPI, King has championed cross-disciplinary approaches that integrate the arts and sciences, reflecting the university’s broader mission to harness creativity and research in ways that positively impact society. NAN seeks to establish neuroarts as a recognized academic and professional field. The network’s goals include connecting existing programs, encouraging new research and training opportunities, building career pathways that combine the arts and health, and supporting the long-term growth of the field. “I am honored to join the Neuroarts Academic Network and contribute to this important effort to show how the arts and creative expression can shape our health, our communities, and our future,” said King. “This field has long been a passion of mine, and I am excited to help advance the science that shows the transformative power of the arts in our lives.” Led by Johns Hopkins University’s International Arts + Mind Lab and the Aspen Institute’s Health, Medicine & Society Program, and supported by The Music Man Foundation, the NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative underscores the transformative role of the arts in medicine, public health, education, and beyond. Susan Magsamen, New York Times bestselling author and NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative co-director, was a featured speaker at this year’s Arts and Sciences Week at WPI. She told the standing-room-only crowd gathered for her talk, “Neuroarts is the true marriage of arts and sciences. This field of study is both long overdue and just in time.” Read the full announcement from the NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative.