If you spend as little as five minutes in a conversation with me, you'll probably be able to realize just how passionate I am about one thing: arts.
When I say the word "arts," I'm not just referring to drawing and painting, although I have a deep love for those and enjoy doing both frequently. I'm speaking of the whole idea of someone using a creative outlet they love to express themselves, whether it's theater, dance, studio and digital arts, music, writing, etc. However, the sad truth of the matter is most of our society does not possess the ability to see the beauty of art and self expression like those who genuinely appreciate it.
Just take a look at today's school systems, for example. Unless you were lucky enough to go to some kind of arts school, you were most likely told that the only classes that mattered and benefited your future were the ones you hated, such as math and science. If you're anything like me, you spent most of your time wishing you could write, draw, or act instead of trying to figure out the value of X. (And I can all but guarantee you'll never need to know it in the real world unless you're a math major.)
Recently, I came across a tweet from Tom Lommel that said something like this: "If we want to have another Bowie or Rickman, we can't cut art classes, music classes, theater classes. Teach your children the value of art." I've come to see that many people, especially older adults, complain about the quality of today's artists and entertainers, making comments such as, "People were actually talented back in my generation." That may be true. But look at all the art-related classes that are being taken out of our schools and thrown to the side. How are people supposed to be talented if they can't learn how to improve in their craft?
I was fortunate enough to be home-schooled for most of my life and was raised in an environment where my parents encouraged me to use whatever abilities I possessed, art being one of them. But I've heard of many whose families were convinced they would be failures unless they went to medical school or pursued a law degree. (Don't think I'm criticizing these careers in any way; I'm only acknowledging the fact that other degrees exist as well and can be just as important). Many have the perspective that you're not successful unless you make a six-figure salary. If you are one of those people, I ask you to consider this: would you rather be rich and miserable in a job that you hate, or make just enough to get by financially in a field that you are passionate about?
As an English major with the hopes of eventually writing my own books, I know I won't be a millionaire, but God willing, I'll be doing what I love the most. That alone brings me more joy than the prospect of a huge paycheck ever could.
No, matter what you think of arts, one thing is obvious: they matter. Don't encourage someone that the precious gifts they have are unimportant just because you don't see the true depth and value in them.
