Date of Award
4-24-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Nonprofit Studies
First Advisor
Abbi Haggertys
Abstract
“Be the change you wish to see in the world,” declared Mahatma Gandhi. There is a profound awareness of the need for change as individuals reflect on the impact of global and system challenges as well as community challenges. People cannot just “be the change” until they themselves are first changed. Beauty is a powerful catalyst for change that begins with the individual, expanding to the community. To solve community problems, program designers must find a way to unleash untapped creativity. This study explores the impact of engaging beauty via the arts (paintings, Mary Oliver poetry, and The Lark Ascending) on the lives of seven women (American and British South Asian) living in London. Using theories surrounding Barbara Fredrickson’s “broaden-and-build” work as well as Developmental Evaluation and Most Significant Change techniques, this multi-cultural and multi-sensory approach shows the powerful role of beauty and art to change individuals’ thinking and actions.
Recommended Citation
Musser, Rebecca Byrd, "Generative Beauty: How Engaging with Beauty Sparks Transformation" (2023). School of Professional and Continuing Studies Nonprofit Studies Capstone Projects. 33.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/spcs-nonprofitstudies-capstones/33
Included in
Nonprofit Studies Commons, Organization Development Commons, Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons, Sociology Commons