Laboratory Headquarters

Department of Motor Disorders, Chronic Diseases, and Art Therapies, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, University Campus Borongaj, Borongajska 83f, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia

Mission

The Laboratory for Art and Science was established in 2024, with the mission of integrating art and science to enhance interdisciplinary practice and research, as well as to promote creativity and artistic reception and expression within the field of educational rehabilitation. Human history has shown that art and science can effectively collaborate, with science contributing to the design of appropriate methods, approaches, and evaluation in the application of art in therapeutic contexts. Likewise, art can contribute to science by focusing on the exploration and critical examination of human physical and mental health in today’s rapid technological development and transhumanist perspectives.

The laboratory’s activities also focus on researching and affirming Disability Arts as a space for social transformation, visibility, and empowerment of people with disabilities, by fostering artistic practice and interdisciplinary theoretical reflection. In a broader context, this also aims to promote a culture of disability, encompassing art, media, education, activism, and social engagement that encourages autonomy and participation of people with disabilities while challenging societal norms regarding disability.

Goals

• Strengthening collaboration between artistic and scientific disciplines through the development of theoretical models and empirical research.
• Fostering innovation and developing of new methods, techniques, and approaches in the use of expressive art therapies, tailored to specific user groups, including children with special needs and people with disabilities.
• Conducting scientific research projects at national and international levels.
• Promoting collaboration among artists, professionals, and scientists within various institutions, organisations, associations, and platforms.
• Promoting inclusive performing arts and universal aesthetics, including Disability Arts.
• Integrating contemporary digital and assistive technologies into artistic and therapeutic processes to develop new assessment and intervention methods and increase accessibility for diverse users.
• Promoting public awareness and education on the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to art and science in rehabilitation and inclusion, with emphasis on the ethical and social implications of applying art and science.

Head of Laboratory: Renata Martinec, PhD, full professor

Members

• Renata Pinjatela, PhD, full professor
• Rea Fulgosi-Masnjak, PhD, retired full professor tenure
• Marina Milković, PhD, associate professor
• Damir Miholić, PhD, assistant professor
• Dunja Pivac, PhD, assistant professor
• Brigita Vilč, mag. rehab. educ.
• Mateja Vukašinec, mag. rehab. educ.

Participation in the Projects

Digital and Assistive Technology in the Application of Expressive Art-therapies for Persons with Motor Disorders
Internal Project Identifier: IIP-10-ART-DIGI
Lead institution: University of Zagreb Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences
Principal investigator: Prof. Renata Martinec, PhD
Duration: 1.10.2025. – 30.9.2029.

Disability Utopias in the Global Easts: Negotiating Sensory Diversity through the Performing Arts in East Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East
Lead institution: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Science Foundation Individual Research Grant (312/25)
Principal investigator: Dr. Gili Hammer
Duration: 1.10.2025. – 30.9.2029.

Organization of Simposium

1st Symposium Powerfully Exposed: Disability Arts as a Voice for Change

Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences University of Zagreb, Zagreb, 28.11.2025.

The symposium was held as part of the international program of the 7th UPSET ART – Festival of Arts and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, which promotes artistic expression as a space for inclusion, visibility, and social transformation.

Conceived as a space for dialogue between art, disability studies, lived experience, and social engagement, the symposium opened questions about the role of the arts in shaping visibility, belonging, and new ways of understanding diversity. Through lectures, film, artistic performances, and discussion, participants explored how Disability Arts extends beyond artistic practice and becomes a powerful vehicle for empowerment and social change.

The program was opened by Prof. Renata Martinec, PhD, while participants were welcomed on behalf of the Faculty by Associate Professor Ana Katušić, PhD, Vice-Dean for Science and International Cooperation. The introductory lecture, Disability Art Framework – Introduction, was delivered by Prof. Rea Fulgosi-Masnjak, PhD, presenting the conceptual foundations and key perspectives of Disability Arts.

The international part of the program began with the lecture, “Disability Utopias: Imagining Inclusive Artistic Spaces in Contested Times and Places” , delivered by Dr. Gili Hammer of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Drawing on long-term anthropological research of integrated performance projects involving artists with and without disabilities, the lecture reflected on inclusiveness, embodiment, and the potential of the performing arts to imagine alternative social futures. The program continued with a screening of the award-winning short film Will We Always Have Paris? by Rona Soffer, followed by her presentation Shared Exile: Womanhood, Disability, and the Politics of Care, which explored the intersections of womanhood, disability, and care through both artistic and personal perspectives.

In his lecture Performing Masculinity on Wheels: When Older Veterans Dance and Younger Don’t, Omri Tancman presented an ethnographic perspective on disability, artistic expression, and masculinity through the experiences of veterans with disabilities.

The second part of the symposium focused on examples of local inclusive artistic practices. Andreja Marcetić, MSc, and Željko Lach presented activities of the Zagreb Center of Independent Living, while Mato Horvat contributed to the artistic program with a music performance. Iva Rožanković and Želimir Lach presented a poetry recital, and Blanka Stančić Puh introduced visual art and creative activities carried out at the Center for Rehabilitation Zagreb. The final artistic topic was presented by Martina Zubčić through an overview of dance activities at the Center for Rehabilitation Zagreb, accompanied by a dance performance.

The symposium concluded with a joint discussion on the potential of Disability Arts as a space of visibility, dialogue, and social transformation, reaffirming the importance of creating more inclusive artistic and social environments.

2nd Symposium Healing Power of Music: Exploring the Role of Music in Health, Rehabilitation, and Human Experience

Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences University of Zagreb, Zagreb, 15.05.2025.

The program opened with a lecture by Prof. Renata Martinec, PhD, entitled Music – that Glorious Gift from the Universe, Nature, and Human Imagination, presenting music as a universal phenomenon and a space where nature, art, and human inner experience intersect.

On behalf of the faculty, participants were welcomed by Associate Professor Ana Katušić, PhD, Vice Dean for Research and International Cooperation. The program was further enriched by musical performances from soprano Sara Koljnrekaj and pianist Marija Topić, students at the University of Zagreb, Academy of Music.

The central professional session began with a lecture by Dr. Babar Khan from Indiana University School of Medicine (USA), entitled Music Interventions to Reduce Delirium – Staying Ahead of the Curve. The lecture focused on the potential of music interventions in reducing delirium and presented contemporary approaches to integrating music into healthcare, particularly in intensive care settings. Following the break, Dr. Helena Dukić delivered the lecture Guided Imagery and Music Therapy (GIM) in Theory and Practice, introducing the theoretical foundations and practical application of guided Imagery and music with particular emphasis on its therapeutic potential in emotional processing and personal development.

The second musical intermezzo featured Academy of Music students Petra Stanec (tamburitza bisernica) and Lara Marušić (piano), who performed The Swan by Camille Saint-Saëns and Libertango by Astor Piazzolla.

The symposium concluded with a lecture by Brigita Vilč, MA in Educational Rehabilitation and Research and Teaching Assistant at the Department of Motor Disorders, Chronic Diseases and Art Therapies, entitled Music in Oncology – What We Do When Words Are Not Enough. The lecture explored the role of music in oncology care and its potential in supporting the expression and processing of illness experiences, highlighting the importance of humanising healthcare and strengthening interdisciplinary connections between the arts and medicine.

The symposium concluded with a discussion among participants and an exchange of perspectives on future directions in integrating music into health and rehabilitation contexts.

Presentations at Scientific Conferences

• Martinec, R., Pivac, D., Miholić, D.: The Power of Visual Expression: The Role of Visual Arts and Art Therapy in the Context of Education, Rehabilitation, And Assistive Technology. XVII International scientific conference “Improving the Quality of Life of Children and Youth”, 25. – 28. 06. 2026.
• Vilč, B.: Music in Oncology - What We Do When Words Are Not Enough. 2nd Symposium: Healing Power of Music: Exploring the Role of Music in Health, Rehabilitation, and Human Experience. Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences University of Zagreb, Zagreb, 15.05.2026.
• Vilč, B., Martinec, R.: Melodies of Care: Music for Well-Being During Breast Cancer Treatment. World Art Therapy Festival, Prague, 26. – 28. 09. 2025.
• Miholić, D.: Psihodramske uloge kao simbol promjena u kontekstu mentalnog zdravlja i invaliditeta, Znanstveno – stručna konferencija s međunarodnim sudjelovanjem – „KREATIVNI PULS“, Zagreb, 26. – 27. 09. 2025.
• Martinec, R., Vilč, B.: Međuodnos empatije i kreativnosti u konceptu ekspresivnih art-terapija; Znanstvena konferencija „Mnoga lica empatije“, Zagreb, 07. 03. 2025.
• Vilč, B.: Inclusive Music Education for Children with Developmental Difficulties in Croatia: Strategies, Challenges, and Benefits; International Conference: European Society for the Cognitive Sciences of Music - 12th Triennial Conference, York, online, 06. 07. 2025.
• Martinec, R: Biblio/poetry therapy with other expressive art-therapies in overcoming existential crisis, 1st European Biblio/Poetry Therapy Conference, Budapest, 04. – 05. 10. 2024.