Community Canvas
About us
ARISA's Community Canvas is a platform dedicated to making art, psychology, and neuroscience open, accessible, and equitable for everyone. Our mission is to break barriers that hinder access to mental health resources, promote neuroscience literacy, and dispel the elitism associated with the arts.
What we do
Through conversations, exchanges, blogs, workshops, performances, and art and community events, we aim to democratize science and art, making mental health and neuroscience accessible to all. Our activities are designed to promote mindful engagement, encouraging participants to explore, learn, and contribute to the rich mosaic of shared human knowledge.
Neuroart walk
We conducted a NeuroArt Walk for the Empowerment – Art and Feminisms exhibition, offering an immersive exploration of feminist art through the lens of neuroscience. Participants engaged with artworks while discovering how the brain perceives, processes, and responds to feminist themes, emotions, and aesthetics. The tour blended art history, psychology, and neuroscience, fostering discussions on empowerment, identity, and visual storytelling. Through interactive dialogues, we examined how feminist art shapes cognition and emotion. If you’re interested in hosting a similar neuroaesthetics tour at your exhibition or museum, get in touch—we’d love to collaborate and bring this unique experience to your space!
ARISA Foundation, in collaboration with NrityaPriy Kuchipudi Dance Academy and Nritya Mukula Dance Academy invite you to "Moving Minds, Shaping Realities" An interactive dance performance that merges the elegance of classical dance with perspectives from Psychology and Neuroscience, followed by: "Jaanakiyan": A Feminist Retelling of the Ramayana Witness a powerful retelling of the Indian epic, Ramayana, from the point of view of Seeta or Jaanaki. "Jaanakiyan" combines the grace of Kuchipudi dance with some exquisite Marathi poetry, creating a narrative that resonates with contemporary relevance, and encourages the audience to introspect. Experience and express emotions like never before! Merging dance with psychology and neuroscience for a unique narrative! Witness a thought-provoking reinterpretation of the Ramayana! Join us in embracing an evening where traditional art meets modern narratives, where every movement, word, &thought will shape a new reality, &show you a new perspective on life!
Portrait of living pictures
Portraits of Living Pictures (POLP) is an immersive art experience where paintings come to life on stage. Through carefully staged compositions, performers recreate iconic artworks, capturing their essence, emotion, and storytelling. Accompanied by expert narration, these living portraits offer deeper insight into the historical, cultural, and artistic significance of each piece. Beyond passive viewing, POLP invites audience participation—whether stepping into select scenes, interpreting visual themes, or engaging in discussions about art’s impact. The experience blends theater, history, and visual art, offering a unique way to connect with paintings beyond traditional gallery settings. This event also explores how staged art influences perception and emotion, making it a powerful tool for education and engagement. POLP has been successfully staged multiple times across different themes and exhibitions. If you’d like to bring this unique experience to your exhibition, museum, or institution, get in touch—we’d love to collaborate! POLP in the news: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/art-meets-neuroscience-through-tableaux-vivant/articleshow/109415569.cms
ARISA’s Podcast - Native Narratives
Native Narratives is a podcast by ARISA Foundation that brings together artists and scientists in rich, cross-cultural conversations. Rooted in our mission to spark curiosity at the intersection of arts and sciences, this series explores how diverse voices from across disciplines and geographies challenge, reshape, and reimagine the world around us.
ARISA’s Blog - Aesthetic Alchemy
Welcome to Aesthetic Alchemy, the official blog of the ARISA Foundation! Here, we weave together the vibrant threads of art, psychology, and neuroscience to explore how creativity influences our minds and enriches our lives. Dive into a world where each post unravels the mysteries of the human psyche, showcases the transformative power of art, and offers insights into the latest scientific discoveries. Whether you're an artist, a scholar, or simply a curious soul, Aesthetic Alchemy provides a rich palette of ideas to inspire, educate, and provoke thought.