Florida State University (FSU) hosted the sixth annual Arts–Health–Humanities Symposium on February 10 at the Claude Pepper Center, bringing together faculty and students from a range of disciplines to discuss how arts and humanities can improve healthcare. The event is part of FSU’s Festival of the Creative Arts, which celebrates the creativity and research contributions of university members.
The symposium featured presentations and performances from areas including medicine, music therapy, interior design, ethnomusicology, art therapy, and other humanities fields. Participants discussed how interdisciplinary approaches are advancing research in health and well-being.
“By bringing together researchers from different disciplines, the symposium creates opportunities to collaborate and expand research across campus,” said Professor Iain Quinn, research fellow in the Arts and Humanities and director of the Festival of the Creative Arts. “The inherently interdisciplinary nature of the event allows us to benefit from the knowledge of other fields and strengthen our own work.”
Daejin Kim, associate professor in FSU’s College of Fine Arts, presented on how architectural and interior design strategies can help older adults maintain independence while aging at home. Kim highlighted that thoughtful design choices—such as lighting, spatial layout, and materials—can reduce fall risks without compromising autonomy or dignity for seniors.
“Design has the power to support both safety and autonomy,” Kim said. “When we consider the lived experience of older adults, we can create environments that promote independence without sacrificing dignity.”
Other sessions addressed how creative practices influence medical education. Tana Jean Welch from FSU’s College of Medicine discussed “HEAL: Humanism Evolving through Arts and Literature,” a journal published by the college that supports reflection, empathy, and humanism among medical trainees.
Music therapy was a key focus throughout several presentations. Adriana Lizardi-Vázquez shared findings from her study documenting over 180 lullabies used by caregivers in Puerto Rico for infants up to 18 months old. Her work showed that familiar melodies play a role in bonding, language development, and emotional regulation between caregivers and children.
Doctoral students Parintorn “Pim” Pankaew and Shun Ee “Racheal” Yap presented survey results indicating many Florida adolescents use music for stress relief, emotional expression, or relaxation—suggesting these habits could inform future mental health interventions involving music therapy.
James E. Riley discussed gaps in professional development for music therapists-in-training: while most students expressed interest in entrepreneurship within their field, few had received formal guidance about starting businesses or working independently after graduation.
“There’s a disconnect between how students are trained and the professional realities they will face,” Riley said. “Future music therapists must develop professional and entrepreneurial skills alongside clinical training to navigate today’s healthcare and wellness industries.”
Michael Bakan led an experiential group vocal session inspired by Balinese gamelan suara traditions to demonstrate how collective music-making encourages social cohesion.
Poster sessions included studies on art therapy assessments for PTSD treatment; community-based music therapy projects; as well as arts-informed perspectives on athletes with disabilities.
“In times of shared challenge, the arts remind us that connection is essential,” Bakan said. “They help us build community, process experience and support one another in ways that are fundamental to human health.”
The Festival of the Creative Arts continues with additional programming throughout February at FSU’s campus events calendar.
