How many students have heard about the world-musician Michael Tilson Tomson performing at the New World Symphony? Or have listened to the largest organ in Dade-County that located at the FIU's Music of School? Or have visited the last colorful exhibition ‘Made in Italy: MITA Textile Design’ at the FIU-Wolfsonian museum or ‘Connectivity’ at the on-campus The Patricia&Phillip Frost Art Museum? There are only very few of them. And most are from affiliated faculties. But what about the others? Business Managers? Engineers? Physicians?
Of course, the lack of that knowledge is not critical for the students building new tech algorithms, struggling with puzzling business cases, or digging into accounting balance sheets. But what if art could matter from professional perspectives? Let’s have an experiment.
Jumping into your car after tense classes, do not launch your favorite playlist -- turn on Symphony No.7 in A Major by Ludwig van Beethoven, and try to listen to carefully one minute today and two minutes tomorrow, and so on. Classical music is the best treatment for your human transformations. It teaches to listen to others and to listen deeper. And this skill is crucial for leadership and management development, and communications in general.
Or stand for several minutes in front of just one picture at the museum (do not to try to cover everything in a speedy pace), and try to describe what you see and how you feel. Arts would awaken your intuitive mind insensibly launching flashes of insight to occur. You would see more nuances and details about the subject. Observation skills enable to succeed in critical thinking and problem solving and to get new perspectives on many issues.
Neuroscience also has shown that viewing art sparks feelings of joy, wonder, and inspiration reducing stress. Art can lead to a 20% boost in productivity. Art has a positive effect on motivation and general work ethic. Some business companies have already injected art into their organizational cultures to positively influence team performance, product design, and etc. For instance, Deutsche Bank has 57,000 works in its collection, spread across over 900 offices worldwide.
We cannot find all the answers to our challenges in the world of the rational, logical, and scientific. That is why the art could make us safe to ask the deeper questions that lead to the emotional truth and creative discoveries.
Where to discover ART for free in Miami?
Miami is a perfect place to discover art in a most affordable and friendly way. For the great benefit of all FIU’s students, the university supports cultural engagement through its first-class art institutions: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU museum, located in the beautiful Art Deco building just steps from the beach, and the Jewish Museum of Florida. Admission for the students is always free.
The BASS museum, also just across the street from the Miami Beach, offers $5 student ticket to enjoy the world-class contemporary art. The same entrance fee is provided by Rubell Family Collection. This is a true art gem, showcasing the eclectic tastes of Mera and Don Rubell in a 45,000-square-foot warehouse in Wynwood.
If you look for performing arts, the New World Symphony and the Adrienne Arsht Center give college students deeply discounted tickets ($10-$20) to the Symphonic and Orchestral Concerts, brilliant choreography of Miami City Ballet and best Broadway’s shows.