Symposium: Sports, Dance, Movement, and the Brain

Sports, Dance, Movement, and the Brain
April 21-23, 1995 - The Art Institute of Chicago

Syllabus (PDF)

As the third in a series of symposia focusing on the relationship among learning, creativity and brain function, the goal of this symposium was to stimulate interdisciplinary research concerning the possible relation between creative movement (including dance, sports, mime and acting) and brain function, particularly at the cognitive level. The symposium explored bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, as presented by our Board Advisor, Professor Howard Gardner of the Harvard Graduate School of Education in his highly acclaimed book, Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. From a broad interdiscipinary perspective, the symposium highlighted the skills which underlie this intelligence. It brought together, among others, professionals preeminent in the field of neuroscience, including neurology, neuropsychology, neurosurgery and experimental psychology; the many fields involving movement, including dance, sports, kinesiology, choreography, therapy, instruction and coaching; and the fields of education, leaning disabilities, speech pathology, developmental psychology and cultural anthropology.

Lectures and panel discussions were designed for the educated public, specialists and students. Among the issues explored were: the influence of various brain areas on movement; the use of movement in enhancing learning; the skills common to dance, sports and other areas of creative movement; the importance of physical activity at all age levels.

As a complement to the lectures, there were performances, both live and video.

Keynote speaker, Jacques d'Amboise, formerly of the New York City Ballet and currently Founder of the national Dance Institute, and his artistic director, Ellen Weinstein, presented a demonstration dance class with inner-city children. Their mission was to demonstrate that children in control of their bodies are better able to control their lives and hence, improve their ability to learn.

David Dorfman and Stuart Pimsler, well-known choreographers, presented their work. In addition to being artistic directors of their own companies, they have developed programs for specific populations - Dorfman for athletes and Pimsler for health-care professionals.

A lecture by Ms. Patty d'Avolio featuring her gymnastic student, Ms. Cathy Craigs if the Special Olympics underscored exceptional skill in the face of cognitive deficits, thereby commenting on human potential and fostering the appreciation of individual differences. Participants were invited to take advantage of discounted tickets to a performance of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, free unlimited admission of the Art Institute museum, and guided museum tours.

Symposium Guest Faculty: Drs. Cynthia Comella, Antonio R. Damasio, Apostolos P. Georgopoulos, Mark Hallet, Nancy Helm-Estabrooks, James C. Houk, J.A. Scott Kelso, Zafra Lerman, Jerre Levy, Michael M. Merzenich, Karl M. Newell, Elliott Ross, Sandra Weintraub; Anne Clarke, Jacques d’Amboise (KEYNOTE), David Dorfman, Bonnie Frankel, Joseph H. Mazo, Stuart Pimsler, Jenny C. Seham, Ellen Weinstein.