Why do we need Earth? To live. To breathe. To do anything at all. She’s our home. Why do we need art? Self-expression. Demonstration of creativity. Entertainment. Ask that question and you’ll get a multitude of reasons.

Our Earth needs art to make us complete human beings. Creating is a primal behavior of humans. From an extremely young age, we are creating, making, molding. Just like laughter and language, it is a fundamental thing. Simply put, art is a part of each of us. Art unites.

Our Earth needs art to communicate.Art is a key to expression. It is used to convey ideas and share information. It offers us a method to communicate what many of us are unable to express through words. It helps us share thoughts with each other, express ideas and show a vision. Art gives us a full range of expression.

Our Earth needs art to heal.Making art, watching art and listening to art can soothe, enlighten, stimulate and liven us. Creating art engages the body and the mind at an equal rate, giving us tools to look inside ourselves and reflect. Art keeps us healthy.

Our Earth needs art to tell our story. A history lesson, a record, a cultural preservation and an autobiography all rolled into one. Documenting events and experiences and allowing us a richer, more colorful understanding of our history. It reflects our values as a culture, our beliefs and helps us establish our identity, preserving our different communities that make up the globe. It chronicles our own lives and experiences over time. Art helps us understand and share our history.

Our Earth needs art to share our experiences. Creating art is a collective activity; sharing it is as well. Art forms, such as dance and theater and choir, all require artists and an audience. The one painter or poet will find herself or himself relying on the opinions and views of their audience, and relying on the skills of the book binder or paint maker to finish the piece. Art gives us reason to stay together and share. Art keeps us connected.

Our Earth needs art to teach.There is something possessive about art. It captures our attention, stops us in our tracks. It is why many love to travel, to take walks and to take photographs. The simplest activities are all of a sudden reinvented. The best moments of life are not meant to be cut and dried; mess is beautiful. Do you remember what it felt like to be swept off your feet? To be hit by emotion because of the lyrics of your favorite song? I’m sure you will never forget it; it made you feel alive.

I hope that after reading this, you desire to have more art in your life. If such is true, here are a few ways to get it. You can cultivate a taste for beauty, set goals that are art related, revisit childhood hobbies, cook, build, garden and make art of your own. If you want to find real joy and happiness make time and space to create beauty. Don’t only consume – contribute, and maybe you’ll change someone in return.