Intersections of Arts & Health: A Research/Creative Activity Symposium Recap

On March 27, the College of Fine Arts hosted Intersections of Arts & Health: A Research/Creative Activity Symposium, bringing together faculty, researchers, and practitioners from across the University of Kentucky campus and beyond for a full day of conversation at the Art and Visual Studies Building.

Co-coordinated by Professor Dima Strakovsky, director of Creative Link — an OVPR-funded initiative connecting arts and health across campus and the state — the event drew collaborators from the Colleges of Medicine, Arts & Sciences, Design, Social Work, Engineering, Health Sciences, UK Healthcare, and international visiting researchers from the University of Porto in Portugal.

A Day of Ideas in Motion

The symposium opened with breakfast and introductions, giving attendees a chance to explore the SAVS building and learn about Creative Link's research mission before the formal programming began. The morning's first panel, Community Outreach: Image, Games & Gamification, explored how visual narratives and game mechanics can bridge clinical and creative communities. Panelists — including faculty from the College of Medicine, College of Design, Creative Link, and the University of Porto — discussed how imagery and interactive design can make healthcare concepts more accessible and collaborative.

A rapid-fire lightning round followed, offering a panoramic view of arts-and-health work already underway within the University. Presenters from the UK Colleges of Medicine, Arts & Sciences, Social Work, and Fine Arts, along with UK Healthcare colleagues, shared snapshots of ongoing projects spanning community-engaged research, therapeutic applications, and artwork exploring health themes.

After lunch and informal networking in the building's production labs and creative spaces, the afternoon's panel, Devices & Design Process: Hardware, Community Connection & Implementation, shifted focus to real-world application. Panelists from Pediatrics, Biomedical Engineering, Physical Therapy, and the University of Porto walked through specific case studies, examining how thoughtful design methodology addresses community needs and navigates the journey from concept to implementation.

The day closed with a forward-looking session on local possibilities and futures, honoring the institutional support that made Creative Link possible and amplifying the voices of partners in rural healthcare contexts. Presenters from the Proposal Development Office, the Center for Excellence in Rural Health, and UKInnovate reflected on the grant origins of Creative Link's work and the opportunities ahead for collaboration across Kentucky and beyond.

The energy generated by the symposium is already pointing toward the future — a follow-up event is planned for this fall. If you're interested in presenting or attending, reach out to Dima Strakovsky or the CFA Office of Research at cfa-adr@uky.edu.

The symposium was presented with support from the College of Fine Arts, the School of Art and Visual Studies, and the Office of the Vice President for Research.