The Art of Perception is an interactive program that engages participants in analyzing works of art as a vehicle to enhance their observation, perception, and communication skills. Looking at works of art as a group will challenge participants’ assumptions — individually and collectively — and refresh critical inquiry skills by incorporating multiple perspectives into their thinking. In light of the pandemic’s shift in our situational awareness, the program’s exercises are designed to meet new challenges of accessibility to a virtual community and refresh the ability to communicate concisely and effectively especially in the face of change. Works of art are used to address breakdowns in precise communication of critical information, navigate new landscapes, and remove assumptions to promote best practices and more effective problem-solving. The session is celebratory, thought-provoking, and most importantly, eye-opening to the possibilities of all that we can achieve.

Amy Herman is a lawyer and art historian who uses works of art to sharpen observation, analysis, and communication skills. She initially developed The Art of Perception workshop to improve medical students’ observation and communication skills when she was the Head of Education at The Frick Collection in New York City for over ten years. She adapted the program for a wide range of professionals including the NYC Police Department, the FBI, the State Department, Fortune 500 companies, NATO, and the military. The program has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The CBS Evening News, and Smithsonian Magazine, among others. Her TED talk, A Lesson on Looking, went live in December 2018. Ms. Herman has an AB from Lafayette College, a JD from George Washington University, and an MA in art history from Hunter College. Her book, Visual Intelligence, was on the New York Times and Washington Post best sellers’ lists. Her second book, Fixed: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem-Solving was published in December 2021. Her third book, smART: Use Your Eyes to Boost Your Brain, was published in October 2022.