49 - Speaking Through Art: Leisure as an Act of Resistance for a Leader
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Literature and anecdotal experience often depict leadership roles as high-stress positions, in which individuals can neglect the importance of leisure activities for personal development and well-being. This proposed study draws from Laura Ellingson's conceptual framework of crystallization (Ellingson, 2014; Ellingson, 2017) which acknowledges the multifaceted, dynamic nature of human experiences and identities. Additionally, crystallization can provide a rich and contextually sensitive approach to exploring how art is a multidimensional tool for personal reflection, storytelling, and resilience.
This study explores the intersection of leisure, art, and leadership, explicitly examining artistic practices' role in enhancing leaders' mental health, resilience, and identity formation. Findings may challenge conventional leadership narratives by positioning leisure as a meaningful practice integral to leadership development and sustainability.
The proposed study investigates the following questions:
How can artistic expression facilitate identity exploration and personal storytelling among leaders?
What insights can crystallization offer about the multidimensional role of community in shaping leaders' identities through art?
This study features an interactive workshop format involving leaders from various sectors using a qualitative participatory approach. Participants will engage in reflective art activities designed to elicit visual narratives, stories, and expressions of identity. The analysis includes artwork created by participants facilitated discussions and reflections. This approach allows for an exploration of how personal and communal identities intersect through artistic expression.
This research contributes to a deeper understanding of leisure's significance within leadership practice, highlighting artistic engagement's therapeutic, reflective, and transformative potential. Findings could inform leadership training programs, encouraging the integration of art as a strategic component for resilience, authenticity, and sustained leadership effectiveness. Furthermore, this research underscores the broader societal value of leisure and art, advocating for its role in holistic personal and professional development.
49 - Speaking Through Art: Leisure as an Act of Resistance for a Leader
Literature and anecdotal experience often depict leadership roles as high-stress positions, in which individuals can neglect the importance of leisure activities for personal development and well-being. This proposed study draws from Laura Ellingson's conceptual framework of crystallization (Ellingson, 2014; Ellingson, 2017) which acknowledges the multifaceted, dynamic nature of human experiences and identities. Additionally, crystallization can provide a rich and contextually sensitive approach to exploring how art is a multidimensional tool for personal reflection, storytelling, and resilience.
This study explores the intersection of leisure, art, and leadership, explicitly examining artistic practices' role in enhancing leaders' mental health, resilience, and identity formation. Findings may challenge conventional leadership narratives by positioning leisure as a meaningful practice integral to leadership development and sustainability.
The proposed study investigates the following questions:
How can artistic expression facilitate identity exploration and personal storytelling among leaders?
What insights can crystallization offer about the multidimensional role of community in shaping leaders' identities through art?
This study features an interactive workshop format involving leaders from various sectors using a qualitative participatory approach. Participants will engage in reflective art activities designed to elicit visual narratives, stories, and expressions of identity. The analysis includes artwork created by participants facilitated discussions and reflections. This approach allows for an exploration of how personal and communal identities intersect through artistic expression.
This research contributes to a deeper understanding of leisure's significance within leadership practice, highlighting artistic engagement's therapeutic, reflective, and transformative potential. Findings could inform leadership training programs, encouraging the integration of art as a strategic component for resilience, authenticity, and sustained leadership effectiveness. Furthermore, this research underscores the broader societal value of leisure and art, advocating for its role in holistic personal and professional development.