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In Her Own Words:

A conversation with Melissa Menzer, Ph.D.

Tell us what you do at the National Endowment participate in certain activities, and what that could mean for
for the Arts. their development. Also in college, I graduated with degrees in
both psychology and studio art. I also interned in a research lab
Working at the National Endowment for the Arts brings together
my two main interests: psychological research and the arts. at the University of Maryland; we studied children’s and teens’
relationships with their families and with other kids and teens, and
The Arts Endowment is a federal agency that gives people the how those relationships affected the young
opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, people’s development.
and develop their creativity. I work in
the Office of Research & Analysis, which Can you discuss this line of research a
conducts and supports research on the little more?
importance and the impact of the arts for Humans are social beings, so our
people and communities. relationships with family and friends—

For example, I produced a research report especially people we’re close with—are
about the social and emotional benefits for Melissa Menzer important to how healthy and satisfied
young children when they participate in we feel. Even how we feel and think about
the arts. [To read this report, go to arts.gov/ those relationships can affect our well-being.
sites/default/files/arts-in-early-childhood-dec2015-rev.pdf.] There’s a lot of research on this topic.
Did you find there are certain things about studying art
For another project, I guest-edited (with Dr. Adam Winsler at Art by
George Mason University) a special section in the journal Early that are similar to being a psychology researcher? Alexandria J.
Childhood Research Quarterly about how children benefit from Well, they’re certainly different fields. But I feel like they’re a good
being exposed to the arts and making art, with eight different combination and help to create balance in my life. There’s an art
articles from researchers around the world. [To view a webinar on to doing research. And, some artists conduct research before they
these research articles, see arts.gov/stories/video/new-research- even start on an art project, to find out the best way to express
arts-early-childhood-symposium.] what they’re trying to show.
Are there any studies in recent years that you find [As for research,] it’s very important to have a curious mind and
especially noteworthy? the drive to know how something works, or to figure something
out. Psychology researchers put a lot of thought into how we
Yes. Studies that explain how the arts influence health and approach our research questions. You think about the people
biology—particularly for children—help us understand you’re trying to study, or what makes the most sense for that
how important the arts are for human functioning and child particular group.
development. One project that we supported through a grant This issue of ChildArt is about the ABCD Study. Why is the
shows how taking part in art activities can “get under your skin” study so special?
in a good way and reduce your stress level. [To read this research
article, go to arts.gov/sites/default/files/Research-Art-Works- Longitudinal studies (studies that run for a period of time),
WestChester.pdf.] especially large ones like the ABCD Study, can be really exciting.
You can track people across time to see if specific experiences
How did you become interested in child developmental relate to things that happen later.
psychology as an area of research?
For the arts, the ABCD Study helps the Arts Endowment better
In college, I volunteered to work with young children and their understand the links between the arts and how people develop.
caregivers during large play group sessions and arts activities. I Specifically, we hope to learn how teens’ participation in the arts is
enjoyed seeing the ways the children and families interacted. This related to how they develop now and in the future.
experience encouraged me to think about why the kids would
Do you still “do” art?
I took art and music lessons and courses when I was younger.
In college, I focused on painting, drawing, and print-making.
By Sunil Iyengar Now, I think of myself as an arts consumer! I go to visual art, Art by
Director, Office of Research & Analysis music, dance, theatre, and poetry events; I also read fiction and Colin S.
National Endowment for the Arts nonfiction books, listen to music and audiobooks, and watch films.