When I refer to “the arts“ I mean all of the arts: painting and sculpture, architecture, dance, music,

literature, theater, film, and crafts such as jewelry and pottery-making —-any creative endeavor one can
be involved in or watch as a performance. These are just a few of the things that art does for all of us.

“Art is the window to man's soul. Without it, he would never be able to see beyond his immediate
world; nor could the world see the man within.”

~ Claudia Lady Bird Johnson

The arts make life interesting. For example, every man-made item has to be designed by someone,
whether it be a T-shirt design, the design on your dinner plate, or shower curtain. Life would be very
boring if everything were plain. How dull life would be without music, drama, and the other arts.

The arts entertain us. Imagine life without books, music, film, dance or theater.

The arts can teach us about other times, people, and cultures through the visual arts, literature, music
and performance arts. Art can go past political and cultural boundaries to strengthen international and
intercultural understanding.

Fiction (in the form of literature or drama) can teach us truths. Fiction makes us pay attention to life.
Fiction says true things that might not be heard elsewhere. And it is satisfying if a fictional character
overcomes conflicts and changes as a result of experiences. It makes us believe we can, too.

Art fulfills a need to express ourselves, to create something uniquely our own, to imagine something
that never was. Without imagination, there would be almost nothing new, no innovations, no
experiments, no developments in science or medicine and no innovative art.

Stories help our children to develop imaginations. At the same time we can use stories as teachable
moments of what is fantasy or truth, what is fear and courage, and that we all have conflicts to
overcome.

"Imagination is the only weapon in the fight against reality." ~Denis Gaultier
The arts allow us to release emotions. Most people have been brought to tears by a book, movie, or
play. Some of us have the same emotional reaction to a piece of music as we had the first time we heard
it.

The arts house us. Imagine life if every building were the same.

Students who study art and music, tend do better in all subjects.

Creating art can benefit mental health. In general, the arts make us happier and healthier. It calms us
and relieves stress. When we are involved in creating something, we often find ourselves in “the zone”
or a state of “flow”, which can take us away from daily problems. Creating art provides a distraction,
giving the brain a break from its usual thoughts.

Enjoying the arts can take us to a different place. Sometimes if you read a book, watch a movie or play,
or listen to a concert, you feel like you are a part of the story or the performance, not merely observing
it. This too, puts us in a different mental state.

“Good art is like music. It should be enjoyed, not dissected.” ~Raymond Burr as Perry Mason on the TV
series Perry Mason (1957–74)

Creating art trains one to concentrate on details and pay attention. It can act like meditation.

Social ills can be explored through the arts. Arts often offer a forum to open discussions. Those who
engage in the arts generally have more civic involvement than those who do not.

The arts broaden our thinking. Thinking in absolutes restricts our views of the world. All-or-nothing
thinking hinders our options. The arts provide us with shades of gray between the extremes of black-
and-white thinking and encourages us to spread our wings.

The arts teach us empathy and uplift the human spirit.