Division 10: Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts is one of the oldest divisions of the American Psychological Association. The work of the many scholars who have been members of this division has, in recent years, begun to have a significant impact on our world. Organizations are now aware their success and survival depend on sustained innovation and the creativity which underlies innovation. The school systems, both elementary and secondary, have begun to stress the development of creative thinking skills. The arts, museums, movies, and music have begun to recognize the need for creativity and the impact of creativity on audience appreciation. Creativity and the arts, as a form of self-expression, have become integral to the treatment of many forms of mental illness. Division 10's work helps to address issues arising in all these areas.
Given the comments made above, it should be apparent that work on creativity, aesthetics, and the arts has become quite active in recent years. Our divisional membership is growing. New smaller societies are emerging examining issues such as the neuroscience of creativity, creativity in the business community, and creativity in the European area. One key activity of the division has been integrating divisional activities with these varied efforts. Indeed, our journal, Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts has become instrumental in this regard.
To encourage sustained research and active intellectual exchange in the field, our division has taken three further steps. First, we have published several edited handbooks summarizing what we know about creativity, aesthetics, and the arts. For example, APA will publish a divisional handbook, examining key research findings emerging from work being conducted by division members—a volume currently in progress. Oxford University Press will publish a handbook focused on the assessment and development of creativity in educational settings. Division 14: Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, in its Frontiers Series, has published a volume on creativity and innovation in organizations.
Second, we have initiated an annual meeting for the division, the intent of which is to advance research and encourage more effective collaboration of scholars working across this diverse array of interests. Our first meeting occurred in 2024 at Denton Texas (University of North Texas) and was considered a great success by the150 attendees. Future meetings will be in New Haven (Yale), Omaha (University of Nebraska, Omaha) and Salt Lake City (University of Utah).
Third, to encourage research by younger scholars the division has established a small grants program intended to provide financial support for doctoral students and young professionals. This program has given more than 30 awards for research on a diverse set of topics ranging from aesthetic appreciation to creative problem solving. It has also resulted in multiple conference papers and publications in leading journals.
In addition to the focus on facilitating research, our division has focused on the development of younger scholars—both as members of the division and as up and coming scholars. The division has established an active mentoring program: Senior faculty actively coach doctoral students and younger faculty. More than 40 individuals have participated in this program. The division has also extended executive committee functions to expressly include doctoral students in all decisions being made on behalf of the division. These efforts have served to bring an active, younger cohort into the division and division management.
Finally, the division has begun to systematically restructure itself to deal with the varied new interests, and issues, it is being confronted with. For example, formal recognition of the division’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts is now under consideration. At our next divisional meeting, we will be having a vote to approve a new set of bylaws including a new committee structure to include initiatives such as DEI. We are arranging for, and investing in, a new website to improve dissemination of division history and activities—including both research findings and collaborative opportunities. We all believe the growth of Division 10, and our varied initiatives, is having a real impact on both the science of aesthetics, creativity and the arts, and the actions society takes to improve day to day life through aesthetics, creativity, and the arts.