So...is art worth it for art's own sake? On first blush, Beethoven's fifth, the megaliths of Easter Island and the Bhagavad-Gita are masterpieces that need no justification based on their educational or sociocultural value. But when you then try to separate the art from its effect on the consumer...

Okay, so how would you teach children the English alphabet WITHOUT singing it? It is faster to learn something when the artistic part of the brain is engaged along with the logistic parts.

And the arts enable us to see, hear and understand situations with added dimension. Visual art training enhances observation skills. Vocal arts (theater, song, etc.) enhance verbal skills and the understanding of the spoken word. And Music reaches deep inside our bodies to assist the understanding and perception of underlying rhythms in life.
-CLH

I am a therapist who works with NYC public school children. I believe in the importance of art and actually studied art before becoming a therapist. I invite you to just try to learn to dance, play a musical instrument or paint a beautiful picture....then you will realize the skill necessary to master these tasks.
-JM

It's important to keep the focus here. This discussion is only relevant within the context of public support for the arts.
-JL

"Intrinsic benefits of the arts" is not an argument that carries much weight with lawmakers. In fact, with the retirement of Roy Goodman, there are no state officials for whom "the arts" is at the top of their legislative priorities.
-JL

the best recent case for the arts was made by our government. the 9/11 commission said the main reason we did not prevent the 9/11 attacks was a FAILURE OF IMAGINATION.
-RL

I don't understand the need for the culture elites to keep outdated art
forms alive and force everyone to like them. Speaking as one who have been dragged into countless operas and ballets as a youth. I would argue if the public doesn't like some art forms, and they can not find support, just let them die out. New ones will come up to replace them.
-YF

Posted by leboheme at 04:44 PM