Book contents
- Why the Arts Matter
- Creativity and the Arts in Context
- Why the Arts Matter
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Foreword
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Chapter 1Art as a Source of Knowledge
- Chapter 2The Arts and Becoming a Better Observer
- Chapter 3Cultivating Emotional Intelligence through the Arts
- Chapter 4The Arts, Open-Mindedness, and Creativity
- Chapter 5Self, Identity, and Transformation
- Chapter 6Wellbeing, Flourishing, and the Arts
- Conclusion
- References
- Index
Chapter 5 - Self, Identity, and Transformation
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 June 2026
Book contents
- Why the Arts Matter
- Creativity and the Arts in Context
- Why the Arts Matter
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Foreword
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Chapter 1Art as a Source of Knowledge
- Chapter 2The Arts and Becoming a Better Observer
- Chapter 3Cultivating Emotional Intelligence through the Arts
- Chapter 4The Arts, Open-Mindedness, and Creativity
- Chapter 5Self, Identity, and Transformation
- Chapter 6Wellbeing, Flourishing, and the Arts
- Conclusion
- References
- Index
Summary
The arts are deeply entwined with a sense of self. This chapter examines the many ways in which artistic engagement allows us to discover, express, and explore who we are. While previous chapters focused on how the arts enhance our thinking, knowing, or understanding, this chapter turns toward the role of the arts in shaping who we become — and, in some cases, how we reclaim parts of ourselves. The chapter begins by exploring the concept of self-identity, and its relationship to aesthetic taste and sensibility. From there, it considers how the arts can be a catalyst for transformation — both personal and community-based — and what these shifts reveal about the dynamic relationship between identity and artistic experience.
Keywords
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- Why the Arts MatterHow Art Shapes Our Thinking, Identity, and Wellbeing, pp. 92 - 123Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
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