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“To be an artist is to believe in life.” Henry Moore
Oh man do the arts matter. That we even need to have an arts matter day means that we have to fight to keep funding and support for the arts in our communities, in our country, in our lives. So I’ve come up with a little list of why they matter. 20 reasons why the Arts matter. And they do.
“To create one’s own world takes courage.” Georgia O’Keeffe
The arts bring energy, creativity, vibrance to our lives. Can you imagine a world without art?
The arts can reinvigorate communities. Take the Bushwick Collective for example. Now, I’ve always been a fan of street art, but I was amazed to see what a little art could do for an entire community. One day, I’ll write a post about it.
Public art makes people want to visit, to explore, to investigate. I took a photograph in Ptown of the They also Faced the Sea exhibit a year or so back, having no idea what those gorgeous photos of women were doing there, so I came home and learned about an amazing project. And was inspired by both the artists and the women. Wait until you see the Mid Cape Cultural Council art walk planned for the Hyannis Harbor. You are so going to want to visit! (More on that soon!)
Art can create community.
Art crosses cultural and socioeconomic divides.
Art can connect people across racial and social divides.
Art can bring awareness to social injustices.
Art can encourage people to act when they see social injustices.
Art can bring beauty.
Art can make you think.
The arts bring innovation to a community.
The arts can improve our quality of life.
The arts support the local economy. For every government dollar spent on arts funding, $5. comes back to the community. Think about that. In one report I read about Michigan, for every dollar invested there, $51. came back to the community. Art is good business.
The Arts increase tourism. Can you imagine Cape Cod without theatre, public art, art galleries, music, artists, art?
Arts education helps children develop skills in critical and creative thinking. And in the case of my daughter, allows her a break from her hard course load of work to relax, and enjoy and create.
Art therapy helps people young and old to deal with many stresses in their lives, and can help express emotions.
Art allows people to share who they are, their hopes and dreams.
Art can be enjoyed by everyone, whether creating or partaking, or listening or watching…
Creating art is an awesome way to make a living.
Art can make you happy. Art makes me happy.
#ArtsMatterDay
Life ain’t nuffin’ without a puffin, or art, I always say. Okay, maybe I’ve never said it before, but it might become my new life quote. 🙂
The happy little Puffin, yes I can anthropomorphize him, I am an artist. I take joy in life. Taken on Machias Seal Island, Maine.
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Pablo Picasso
