Summary
The Art of Perception, an innovative professional development program, teaches participants to view and analyze works of art as a vehicle to enhance their observation, perception, and communication skills. In this highly participatory workshop, individuals reconsider the skills they use to fulfill their responsibilities, and revisit their ability to communicate concisely and effectively in a variety of scenarios. Originally developed to help medical professionals improve observation and communication skills with patients, the program has been adapted for training of law enforcement (FBI, NYPD, and Department of Justice), education, religious, and industry professionals across the country. In addition to addressing the role of non-verbal communication and how it relates to work with clients and constituents, art and photography are used as tools to consider bias, prejudice and related ethical issues. The Art of Perception channels the power of art into a relevant and sustainable initiative that enhances and enriches our innate ability to discern and communicate information effectively and accurately.
Learning Objectives
Participants will
- enhance observation and perception skills and communicate inferences more effectively
- learn an inquiry model to assessing a situation
- understand the differences between observation and perception
- be able to articulate observations based on confirmable data (visual or otherwise) and formulate a nexus between inferences based upon the perceptions and those confirmable observations.
Our Speaker
Amy E. Herman designed, developed and conducts all sessions of The Art of Perception using the analysis of works of art to improve perception and communication skills. Originally designed in 2000 to help medical students improve their observation and communication skills with patients, the program was subsequently adapted for law enforcement professionals and leaders in industry, education, the intelligence community, and finance. She currently conducts the program nationally for a wide range of law enforcement agencies including the New York City Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Defense, the State Department, and the Department of Justice as well as for hospitals, medical schools, and first responders. Ms. Herman’s book, Visual Intelligence will be published in May 2016. Ms. Herman holds an AB in International Affairs, a Juris Doctor, and an MA in Art History.