Why Art Is Important For The Future
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Why Art Is Important For The Future

Children Have Imaginations That Could Save the World

1645
Why Art Is Important For The Future

My French professor told our class once that without art, there is no beauty, and without beauty, humanity cannot exist. It was much more elegant and beautiful than that, but I think the importance of art, especially for children, is a subject we need to address. After reading an article from the Huffington Post, I realized how important art has been in my personal education and growth, and that everyone should be able to appreciate art.

When I was little, my parents always took my younger brother and I out on excursions so we could learn from experience. I owe much of my critical thinking and analytical skills to these outings. The summer before my senior year of high school, I had the amazing opportunity to do a French homestay program though the Choate Rosemary Hall school, and I learned so much about art and art history that I have so wanted to visit the Louvre again. Last summer, my dad and I visited the Louvre with some family friends, but being able to retain the art history and knowledge I learned from the homestay program combined with what I have learned made this visit all that more powerful.

Here's where you might think I am a nerd, but I am absolutely in love with the painting, "Le Radeau de la Méduse" by Géricault, and seeing it in person this past summer made me realize how valuable art and beauty is to our being.

It's extremely difficult to describe the feeling I had when looking at this painting. On the Choate homestay program, I had an amazing art history teacher who told us how the painting was composed, and how it represents themes of French romanticism. When I was looking at it again this past summer, I felt happy. It is almost indescribable what I felt, but it was as if in synthesizing all this information from my art history teacher and appreciating the painting, my soul felt happy too. Maybe you think I am weird, but it made me feel almost cleansed in a sense. I felt as if I were the only person in the museum and time sort of stopped for me to bask in the beauty of this painting.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F12%2F05%2F6358493876878345811654880106_giphy-42.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=394&h=ee28ad70f0b523ecfb1c0d3d66cb8853b6700e1b5537a3efe3cf3d135bafd320&size=980x&c=198414996 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F12%252F05%252F6358493876878345811654880106_giphy-42.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D394%26h%3Dee28ad70f0b523ecfb1c0d3d66cb8853b6700e1b5537a3efe3cf3d135bafd320%26size%3D980x%26c%3D198414996%22%7D" expand=1]

And beauty does not have to be limited to paintings! Sculpture, music, writing, nature, and even people are all beautiful. I think being able to see beauty in the world not only helped me grow as a person, but it also made me want to share this amazing experience with everyone.

Art is a vast and complex subject, but I think it is necessary for children especially to be exposed to art because they have such magical imaginations that art could ignite a flame in a child and be a vehicle to which they find their passion.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F12%2F05%2F63584939052300688328232077_giphy-44.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=304&h=61586a81182aab3f0ea410d123751e29ca06adb7a07397dcf0d4ef407bed2a6a&size=980x&c=1877931465 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F12%252F05%252F63584939052300688328232077_giphy-44.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D304%26h%3D61586a81182aab3f0ea410d123751e29ca06adb7a07397dcf0d4ef407bed2a6a%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1877931465%22%7D" expand=1]

In the Huffington Post article, three main points are explained as to why children are the future of art. One point that struck a chord with me was that museum tours promote critical thinking skills. What if encouraging children to visit museums and look and analyze art lead to one of these children's ability to use their critical thinking skills to find solutions to some of society’s problems? What if one child figures out how to cure cancer, or develop a sustainable solution for production to protect the environment while also helping the economy?

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F12%2F05%2F635849390822185362-556022109_giphy-43.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=514&h=0f141c8937890f89026d6bc4b28a7d6164d67dbaf4a47f48c797a6a62515cb1d&size=980x&c=1544361289 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F12%252F05%252F635849390822185362-556022109_giphy-43.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D514%26h%3D0f141c8937890f89026d6bc4b28a7d6164d67dbaf4a47f48c797a6a62515cb1d%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1544361289%22%7D" expand=1]

I know this all sounds crazy, but critical thinking skills are an important life skill, and based on personal experience, art has provided me with significant development in these skills.

Art is not only important for adults, it is important for children and the future. Children are the future, and we need to start helping them use those powerful imaginations and ideas by increasing the availability and access to art.

“May we all grasp the value of museums with such clarity, and lead young people to do the same. More museum visits by children will enhance their academic development, improve their education now and in the future, and ensure a healthy, active tomorrow for our museums -- an invaluable treasure for all.”
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me

This one's for you, Spock.

1158
6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me
Liz Abere

Owning a pet can get difficult and expensive. Sometimes, their vet bills cost hundreds of dollars just for one visit. On top of that, pets also need food, a wee wee pad for a dog, a litter box with litter for a cat, toys, and treats. Besides having to spend hundreds of dollars on them, they provide a great companion and are almost always there when you need to talk to someone. For the past six years, I have been the proud owner of my purebred Bengal cat named Spock. Although he's only seven years and four months old, he's taught me so much. Here's a few of the things that he has taught me.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Kinder Self - Eyes

You're Your Own Best Friend

2576
Kinder Self - Eyes
Pexels

It's fun to see all of the selfies on social media, they are everywhere. I see pictures with pouty lips, duck lips and pucker lips. I see smokey eyes, huge fake lashes and nicely done nose jobs, boob jobs and butt lifts. Women working out in spandex, tiny tops and flip flops. I see tight abs and firm butts, manicured nails and toes, up dos and flowing hair. "Wow", I think to myself," I could apply tons of make-up, spend an hour on my hair, pose all day and not look like that. Maybe I need a longer stick!"

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Rap Songs With A Deeper Meaning

Rap is more than the F-bomb and a beat. Read what artists like Fetty, Schoolboy Q, Drake, and 2Pac can teach you.

22743
Rap artist delivers performance on stage
Photo by Chase Fade on Unsplash

On the surface, rap songs may carry a surface perception of negativity. However, exploring their lyrics reveals profound hidden depth.Despite occasional profanity, it's crucial to look beyond it. Rap transcends mere wordplay; these 25 song lyrics impart valuable life lessons, offering insights that extend beyond the conventional perception of rap music.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

21 Drinks For Your 21st Birthday

Maybe don't try them all in one day...

2922
21 Drinks For Your 21st Birthday

My 21st birthday is finally almost here. In honor of finally turning 21, I thought I'd share 21 fun drinks since it's finally legal for me to drink them.

Some of these drinks are basic, but some of them are a little more interesting. I thought they all looked pretty good and worth trying, so choose your favorites to enjoy at your big birthday bash!

Keep Reading...Show less
Politics

Ancient Roman Kings: 7 Leaders of Early Rome

The names and dates of the reigns of the first four kings, as well as the alternation of Sabin and Latin names, are more legendary than historical. The last three kings, of Etruscan origin, have an existence which seems less uncertain.

5236
inside ancient roman building
Photo by Chad Greiter on Unsplash

It is evident that all this is only a legend although archeology shows us little by little that these kings if they did not exist as the ancient history, describes them, have at least in the very Outlines were real as chief of a shepherd’s tribe. The period when kings ruled Rome could estimate at 245 years.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments