Glossary of terms

Definitions are drawn from published sources that primarily include the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University, the NeuroArts Blueprint (a partnership of IAM Lab and the Aspen Institute’s Health, Medicine and Society Program), the World Health Organization, and peer-reviewed literature.

Aesthetic experience: Subjective response that arises from an individual’s interaction with sensory stimuli (art, music, architecture, nature, and designed environments) in a given context. Aesthetic experiences result from the interaction between the individual, the sensory qualities of a stimulus, and the circumstances in which the encounter occurs. They engage emotion and valuation, sensory and motor systems, and meaning and knowledge networks in the brain.

Applied neuroaesthetics: Scientific study of how the brain responds to arts and aesthetic experiences for the purpose of improving biological, psychological, social/cultural, or spiritual outcomes for individuals or populations. Applied neuroaesthetics is the translational arm of neuroaesthetics, moving from scientific discovery toward real-world application in health, wellbeing, and learning.

Arts and health: Broad field of research and practice examining the role of the arts in the prevention of illness, the promotion of wellness, and the management and treatment of illness.

Arts-based intervention: A structured program or activity that uses a specific art form such as music, dance, visual art, theater, or writing as the primary vehicle for achieving defined health or wellbeing outcomes. Arts-based interventions span the full continuum of health. They are designed and studied across clinical needs including mental illness; neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders; noncommunicable diseases; acute conditions requiring hospital care; and end-of-life care. They are also applied in health promotion and disease prevention contexts.

Neuroaesthetics: Scientific study of the neural bases for the contemplation and creation of a work of art. This includes aesthetic experiences beyond the arts.

Neuroarts: Interdisciplinary field that studies the science of how arts and aesthetic experiences impact the brain, body, and behavior and how this knowledge can advance health and wellbeing of individuals and communities, including physical and mental health, social connections, lifelong learning, and enriched quality of life.

Disclosure: This document was prepared by Flinn Foundation staff with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools used for drafting and editing support. All content has been reviewed and approved by Foundation staff, who retain full responsibility for its accuracy.