Often when we think of where to cut corners in a budget, we begin to cut out the things that we deem to be nonessential. We cut out the things that will not create too drastic of a change if they are gone. On a micro level, this could include new clothes, a new car, or just not fixing the dryer that only dries half the clothes. But when we begin to look at budgets that exist on more of a macrocosm, we seem to see a trend in what we cut first, the arts. The correlation between the words "art" and "non-essential" no longer serve to inspire anger in those who find solace in art, just a strong and familiar disappointment. When looking for ways to save money, it's all too familiar a narrative that the arts will be the first things to go. This has proven to be true once again, as one of the first acts of our new presidential candidate, is to cut funding for the arts and humanities, all as a plan to reduce the federal budget by 10.5 trillion over the period of ten years. While on paper this does appear to be an incredibly fiscal plan to save taxpayer money, it ignores the amount of jobs the arts create, and how much money is generated by them. According to the National Assembly of State Art Agencies records, tax-exempt performing arts groups, museums, and fine arts schools generated over 12.1 billion dollars in revenue for the US Government in 2012, with the production of arts and cultural goods generating over 698 billion dollars. The arts are not just a means of expressing oneself, they are a valid and effective form of generating revenue. America already provides one-fortieth of the funding for the arts that Germany provides, cutting it anymore will practically make the funding non-existent.

Beyond the financial aspect of arts and humanities, is the emotional aspect. When we come home at night to turn on the television, or curl up with a good book, we are appreciating and contributing to the arts. In the words of Kurt Vonnegut, "they are a way of making life more bearable". Art is more than just creation, it is a way of relating to our fellow human beings. It is a way of expressing things that cannot be expressed through what may be considered more conventional methods. It is what makes the human race so unique, and what gives a voice to the voiceless. It allows freedom through expression, and can create a feeling of fulfillment for those practicing art, and those who simply spectate. Art is what gives a place culture. When we discuss the history of our race, we discuss the artistic movements that shaped the atmosphere of the time, whether it be the literature, paintings, spoken word, etc. By taking away art, we take away our culture. When foreign powers would invade a new country, one of the first things to be suppressed would be the arts, as this was what categorized the history and beliefs are of those people. This would take away their identity, and make it easier to force them into conformity. There has also been a great deal of research proving that exposure to the arts increases intelligence, as well as social and emotional stability. We do not expose infants to instruction manuals when they are young, we expose them to classical composers. We do not hang government documents on our walls, we hang paintings and photographs. We do not take our family out to view the construction of a new power plant, we take them to a play. Art connects us as human beings, and gives so many layers of meanings to our lives. It helps us to cope with the world around us, and for many (including myself), it gives us something worth living for.

By cutting the arts, you cut away our national identity. You remove the social and emotional benefits of being involved in arts, and expressing oneself through more unique methods. There is no expression through mundane work, but through art we are provided a voice we may not have otherwise known. As a kid who grew up in the arts, I can’t imagine a world without them. Some of the people i’ve met in art class, chorus, and plays are still some of my closest friends to this day. Even more, the experience of creating something that I found to be beautiful and sharing it with the world was of immeasurable joy. I know that removing funding for the arts is high up on the list of issues for the next one hundred days, but I do urge the Trump administration to reconsider, and for those of you who feel as strongly about the arts as I do, to stand up for what you love. Without art, we have removed our nations voice. Without art, we deny ourselves beauty. Without art, we have lost our humanity.