An Invitation to Imagine

How does creativity strengthen communities and individual well-being over a lifetime? The Syracuse University Humanities Center invites the campus and local community to reflect on that question through its 2025–26 Syracuse Symposium, themed "Creativity."

In an era where automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping society and the workforce, creativity, cultural engagement and critical thinking are more essential than ever, both for our collective well-being and for successful careers. Creativity and critical thinking consistently rank among the most sought-after abilities in prospective employees, while research shows that humanities majors enjoy high job satisfaction rates and demonstrate remarkable adaptability across a wide range of occupations.

The Symposium’s fall programming explores creativity’s power to address some of today's most pressing questions: How do we harness new technologies in artistic ways? How are music and math linked as creative endeavors and also as places of problem-solving? How can a craft like sewing or quilt-making help us reflect on our values and build shared community? And how is creativity itself innately core to human thriving, whether individually or collectively?

“As a theme, ‘Creativity’ invites us to appreciate the humanities’ positive impact in our lives," says Vivian May, Director of the Humanities Center. “Creativity foregrounds ingenuity and inventive action: it lies at the core of problem-solving as well as artistic innovation. Creativity prompts us to re-imagine what’s possible and can inspire us to find ways to spark positive change in the world around us..." [Read the full A&S News story.]