The Importance of Artists in Building Empathy and Innovation

This past month I had the incredible opportunity to attend the in-person convening of my Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania. As I reflect on this enriching experience, several key moments stand out—particularly how the arts can inform and elevate social impact work.

One workshop that stood out to me the most was on design thinking and the usefulness of this process in creative problem solving for social issues. To make a lasting difference in our communities, social impact work requires not only problem-solving, but creative problem-solving—an iterative process that demands collaboration and unconventional thinking. This process must also include the voices of those who will be most affected by the changes we aim to create. How can we innovate effectively without understanding the needs, desires, and challenges of the very people we seek to serve? This was a powerful lesson in empathy.

The arts, and dance in particular, offer a unique and often overlooked way to build empathy. We can use interviews or traditional research methods to learn about a community, but dance allows us to tap into something deeper. Our bodies store information and emotions that words can’t always express. There’s so much we keep inside, often without realizing it. Movement has the power to unlock new insights, helping us better understand the challenges and needs of a community in a way that might not be possible through conventional research alone. I think it could be incredibly powerful to include movement as a method of understanding in social impact work.

As I thought more about this, I kept wondering: why aren’t performing artists more central to conversations about social impact and innovation? As artists, we make countless creative decisions in real-time every time we perform or create. This ability to think and act quickly is a skill that’s incredibly valuable for social innovation. We are, by nature, problem-solvers. Plus, through artistic expression, we have a way of accessing emotions and stories that are often hidden beneath the surface. Similarly, why don’t we see more engineers, innovators, and change-makers involved in artistic processes? Our world tends to work in silos, but I truly believe that if we collaborated more across disciplines, we could spark a whole new wave of creative and impactful solutions. Solutions that are not just innovative, but holistic and inclusive. In today’s economy, where innovation is key to success, nurturing creativity is essential for unlocking new and unique ideas.

To be honest, I arrived at this convening feeling somewhat intimidated. My life has been rooted in dance—spending most of my time as a dancer and teacher in the studio or classroom. I wondered if I would feel out of place among a cohort of individuals whose careers spanned sectors far beyond the arts. However, what I found was a group of some of the most welcoming, inspiring individuals I’ve ever met. From government to consulting to nonprofit work, everyone in the cohort was dedicated to making deep, lasting impacts on the inequitable systems that affect people worldwide. And, to my delight, I met many fellow artists—dancers, musicians, actors—who are using their creative talents to tackle social issues and ignite change. This was a powerful reminder that the artistic spirit is alive in so many adults, and that many artists have a natural tendency towards community engaged work. 

As artists and changemakers face the challenges of these particular times, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But the need for creative, innovative solutions to the world’s inequities is greater than ever. As we push forward in our efforts to create change, we must remember that these difficult times demand resilience, determination, and, above all, the courage to persevere. The work may be challenging, but the impact we can have on the world—especially through creativity and empathy—will make the effort worthwhile.

Thanks for reading,

Blair Brown, Executive Director of Movement Exchange