Stoic Arts Conference
Saturday, April 25, 2026
8:30am-9:00pm
Stoicism grapples with the realities of impermanence and underscores the essential role of resiliency in navigating life’s uncertainties. For the Stoics, all external conditions—wealth, status, relationships, even life itself—are fleeting and beyond our control. Acknowledging this transience is not a call to despair, but an invitation to cultivate clarity and perspective, making the most of the present moment while preparing for the future. Stoicism redirects attention toward what endures: the development of character through reason and virtue. Resiliency, in this framework, is not passive endurance but an active, intentional response—an effort to optimize well-being and flourish throughout every season of life.
Join us for a multidisciplinary conference exploring these themes through talks, panels, workshops, and live performances.
This conference is free, registration is required.
Stoic Arts Conference
Saturday, April 25, 2026
8:30am-9:00pm
Event Highlights
(Please note: All events are subject to change.)
Keynote Speakers
Hear from keynote speakers including Megan and Murray MacMillan on ephemerality in art, and Sharon Lebell, best-selling author of The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness.
Live Music & Performances
Enjoy a concert and Q&A with the Ben Papsun Jazz Duo, plus an evening new music concert featuring original compositions inspired by Stoic themes, performed by Tufts musicians and composers.
Engaging Panels
Participate in panels with speakers including Melinda Latour, Kasey Pierce Robertson, Christiana Olfert, Ranjini George, and Karen Duffy & Francis Gasparini.
Interactive Workshops
Join practical workshops, including:
- "Death, Memento Mori, and Creating a Vanitas Still Life" with Kathryn Koromilas
- A journaling workshop with Brittany Polat
- A small group discussion led by Phil Yanov
Refreshments & Networking
Morning donuts and coffee will be provided. Meals, accommodations, and travel are not included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Stoics allowed to enjoy art? What kinds of art would a Stoic participate in?
A: Given their reputation for austerity and their single-minded focus on virtue, you might think ancient Stoics disapproved of the arts. But you would be wrong. Unlike Plato (who suggested banning poets) or Epicurus (who withdrew from society altogether), ancient Stoics defended the place of the arts in a flourishing society and for flourishing individuals. They saw art as a preferred indifferent: something that does not determine our happiness but which humans naturally prefer.
The ancient Stoics considered art, music, and literature to be ‘habitudes of the wise’—pursuits that contribute to the cultivation of good character or the realization of philosophical ideals. These activities do not produce happiness in themselves, out they are eligible to become part of a happy life when applied appropriately. The arts certainly have a place in the good life.
The Stoics even believed the arts can help cultivate virtue. For Stoics, our sense perceptions are the foundation of our understanding of the world. We take in information through our senses and interpret them based on our values and beliefs. Since the arts produce a heightened sensory experience, they can be a potent source of moral guidance.
Q: Can Stoicism help us appreciate art and beauty?
A: Absolutely. The ancient Stoics believed that the fine arts (music, visual arts, literature, etc.) have an important place in a well-lived life. Art can help us understand difficult truths such as impermanence and death, allowing us to cultivate the virtues needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Stoicism grapples with the realities of impermanence and underscores the essential role of resiliency in navigating life’s uncertainties. For the Stoics, all external conditions—wealth, status, relationships, even life itself—are fleeting and beyond our control. Acknowledging this transience is not a call to despair, but an invitation to cultivate clarity and perspective, making the most of the present moment while preparing for the future. Stoicism redirects attention toward what endures: the development of character through reason and virtue.
In celebration of the beauty of impermanence, we invite scholars, artists, musicians, writers, and thinkers who are inspired by Stoicism to join us at the Stoic Arts conference. This is the first event in modern times to bring together a wide range of scholars and performers around the theme of Stoic arts. We look forward to seeing you there!