Finding Awe

-

Awe leads us to see the world in a different way. Being in the presence of something vast or profound can bring us to tears, give us chills, and uplift us. But awe is more than just a momentary feeling! Research shows that awe can give us purpose and meaning, sharpen our brains, foster a sense of belonging and community, and bring inner calm. Awe makes us more humble, generous, and cooperative—less anxious and lonely. We all could use more awe in our lives, and art is the perfect place to start. 

Join us for a 90-minute pause from your daily routine to breathe deeply and look mindfully at a single work of art. Look closely, wonder, and share your insights with the group. In these interactive workshops, explore where artists have found or created awe and how it has inspired them. Meditate on awe in your own life and find new ways to cultivate “everyday awe.”   

This series draws on the research of Dr. Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley; director of The Greater Good Science Center; and author of Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life (2023). 

Questions? Email us at [email protected]. Can't make it to a program? Find more ways to cultivate awe.

You may also like

Event Series:  Remembering American Icons

This two-part film series delves into the influences, legacies, and contexts of Black cultural icons.

Event Series:  A Camera That Goes Anywhere: American Cinema Verité

Cinema verité, or direct cinema, was a game-changing documentary movement created in large part by a handful of innovative young filmmakers in the late 1950s. 

Event Series:  Art and Democracy: 60 Years of Kartemquin Films

Legendary documentary production house Kartemquin Films was founded in Chicago in 1966.