
Within society there have often been reservations as to the benefits of the arts. During economic downturn, arts funding is consistently one of the first expenses to be cut (Image 1). Many students who have a passion for the arts are pressured to “be realistic” and pursue fields of study with higher salaries and more stable employability rates. When comparing the basic statistics it is true that a student holding a math degree will be more likely to find an immediate job with a reliable salary than say a student holding a theater degree pursuing an acting career. It is also true that an actor’s annual salary can range from nearly nothing to millions. Their average annual salary, however, is 53,592 while an entry level accountant’s average annual salary is 49,013 (salary.com). In 2008’s market crash many industries were greatly affected and reduced, but the film industry wasn’t affected, nor was it reduced, in fact the industry grew.  In education and mental health studies are starting to show that art plays a large role in developing and functioning as a human. The arts not only affects but greatly benefits individuals as well as society through education, development, identity, and innovation. 

The benefits of the arts can first be seen in schools and academic achievement. The relationship between child education, achievement, and overall success can all be linked to the arts. Several studies based around the world have been and are currently being conducted on the effect of arts on students’ overall academic achievement. The U.S. National Department of Education released a research summary stating the incredibly close and complex relationships between arts education, student achievement, and critical thinking skills (Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Achievement and Social Development). In a well-documented national study using a federal database of over 25,000 middle and high school students, researchers from the University of California at Los Angeles found students with high arts involvement performed better on standardized achievement tests than students with low arts involvement (Ruppert). Creative thinking skills that help students to perform well are developed overtime through arts involvement such as playing an instrument, dance, theatre, and studio art. These classes tap into a skill set that can be applied in various other subjects and create a foundation for basic life skills as well. 

The arts not only correlate with academic success but with personal development. Art has long been an expression of personality. It is no surprise then that many believe it also to be a source of personal identity (Hawkins 118).  In modern society polls show that young adults have a greater difficulty finding “who they are” and most feel that there is a greater amount of pressure to do so these days. Self-expression is necessary, and while for some it may not be through the strokes of a paint brush there is something in art for everyone. From the type of music you listen to, to the pictures you like on Facebook, to creating the perfect wardrobe ensemble these are all expressions of personality that have helped to develop a personal identity, and they are all forms of art. Without these many would feel a drift. Often when first meeting a person we inquire about them and their likes and dislikes. Typically questions such as What is your favorite color? What music do you like? What is your favorite movie? Are all questions relating to your core identity as a human and at the base of that identity are artistic characteristics that most take for granted as little things and don’t realize the artistic origin of all human nature. 

Within that human nature of artist behavior comes social bonding, as demonstrated in above this can occur in extremely natural and unnoticeable ways. Art not only acts as a means of personal identity, but communal identity.  Mark J. Stern, a professor in the School of Social Policy & Practice in one of his arguments for the necessity of the arts states “One of the arguments we’re trying to make [focuses on] the kind of economic payoff the arts [provide] because it has these social effects: It mobilizes communities, turns neighborhoods into places of interest to their residents and to visitors to the city” (Schleter). Art is something everyone has in common so it is often a rally point for many communities. Stern later stated within the article “Arts and culture [play] an important role in improving the lives of ordinary people” (Schleter). The arts are not just for the enlightened, or the gifted, or the rich, the arts are for everyone. The arts build individuals and communities and bring light to so many lives without them even realizing it, without even realizing its importance. Communities such as Portland, Maine found an identity as an art town. They have generated masterpieces of their surrounding area and have made it a tourist destination the whole town takes pride in. Within Julie Hawkins, Countering Critique: Expressing the Value of the Arts through the Artistic Rebuttal Project, there are 460 rebuttals against the negative stereotypes of art. It shows that the constant theme most find within art is the benefit of Community Identity, Emotional Health, and Individual Identity. This journal based on a conducted project study brings light to the broader effects of art in lives. Not just individual benefits, but communal.

It is natural for humans to define themselves through art as it is natural for humans to develop through art. Throughout history art has often been the cause of human development not only on an individual level but a societal one, one of the most basic examples being communication through paintings on cave walls as early as 40,000 years ago which then spurred the development of the written word. Later, in Victorian England documents show that the government was pushing for the institutionalization of art. One of the main reasons being based on a utilitarian philosophy; that both political and social success have strong links to the study of art (“The Institutionalization Of Art In Early Victorian England”). This brings about the idea that success and the arts is not a new concept and was proven to be beneficial in the past. Many artistic professionals realize this and often try to bring attention to the fact that “all creative work builds on what came before” (Kleon 7). This can be seen in the history of advertisement. Through the years it has slowly built from pamphlets, to radio announcements, to the television commercials we see today. All developed through different art mediums and built off of what came before and sought new ways to be affective. In the 50’s it was effective to show the wife at home baking a pie and cleaning the house, whereas now you have a Swiffer commercial advertising a father cleaning up after his children while the wife is at work. All of history, our past events, have taught us and affect us and the choices we make to this day. Art is the same; we learn from the past and create the new. Both art and history are informants on humanity’s state. They show who we are as people throughout the ages and what we have accomplished physically and mentally. Both are of equal importance in reflecting our past, our present, and our future. 

Through history and now recent scientific research the benefits and importance of the arts are becoming increasingly apparent. Art therapy has been on the medical scene for only a short amount of time, but in that time it has gained an immense amount of positive results amongst the patients it has been administered to.  Not only has it been shown to help mental health patients in a unique way it has also opened the field and created an immense amount of new occupations. Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, and President of Art Therapy Without Borders believes that art is not only an incredibly effective way of healing, but a method for enhancing and supporting resilience. She states that “these children have taught me so much about not only courage, but also how important art expression can be in well-being” (Fard). Expanding the art therapy field and art education for children could enhance not only their mental capability but their resilience in this increasingly fast paced world. Art has been known to be a coping mechanism, but if introduced to healthy ways of expression in the future there could be fewer cases of mental illnesses such as depression, PTSD, and personality disorders formed from the inability to communicate emotions properly. 

While the art therapy field has created a variety of new jobs (Bureau of Labor Statistics) it isn’t the only one opening up new horizons where the arts and sciences are concerned. Recently, several experiments have been conducted by placing art education and art students with STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) students to see what each field has to learn from the other (Guyotte). In doing so the creative thinking processes for both sides were challenged and the experiments yielded amazing collaborative results. This idea of interdisciplinary work has opened up thousands of job opportunities and has begun to create fields that are completely new and innovative. In combining all that humanity can accomplish, the arts and the sciences, problem solving can now be intelligent, innovative, statistical, and creative. New occupations and new ways of thinking will lead to greater problems being solved in the future.

Creative minds are always needed within the work force in a variety of fields. However, when some specifically choose to make a career out of the arts the mass society often looks down upon them. Money makes the world go round, as some might say, but many arts employees might disagree with that statement. In the article “A Fine Arts Degree May Be a Better Choice Than You Think” several individuals interviewed and quoted within the article concur that people working within fine arts have a greater level of life satisfaction. While again there might be more stable employment options the arts are unique in that they relentlessly yield high satisfaction among those who pursue the arts as a career path. Which makes one think, what is it about this field that despite the instability, the often lower pay, and societies higher respect for other fields, very few regret following this path? 

One reason could be that the arts reach people in completely unique ways. In New York City there was an art exhibit and auction commemorating the 50th year of Tibetan resistance against China. Over 50 artists took part and several organizations helped fund the event ("New York Art Exhibit-Cum-Auction Benefits Tibet Campaign.") This event brought corporations, artists, and citizens together to contribute to an important modern issue. The arts can shine light on societal issues facing us currently in a way that can make you think. Films have been notorious for doing that very thing and in doing so reach an audience that may not read news, or research issues, and would never know or care otherwise. Snowden, a movie released July 16, 2016 brought to light the issue technology and government pose to the personal privacy of citizens and grapples with whether that information should be released to the public or not. This was an important news story in summer 2013, but the movie release in 2016 made the issue important to a younger generation that for the most part were not aware. It also shone light on a problem that occurred then and is still occurring to this day. It raised awareness that could potentially lead to a solution in the future. Art is beneficial to change and reaches humanity in ways that simple fundraising or news coverage cannot. It brings people together from all walks of life and can be the voice and drive of a cause. 

While the arts might not be the most respected field it is a necessary and important field. The arts continue to work behind the scenes as the most basic level of connection between humans. It connects us together, person by person, community by community, nation by nation. Art reaches individuals and mass society in large noticeable ways such as art auctions or in everyday identity such as the music on the radio. The growing amount of new occupations in the world needs the combination of both scientific and artistic minds. Creative thought processes taught to children throughout their lives will increase their academic success as well as prepare them for the world. Art careers satisfy not only the individual, but often go farther to help others by bringing attention to societal issues, teaching others how to connect with art and their identity, or simply by contributing to the beauty of the world. Every human needs art in their lives music, pictures, outfits, films, or otherwise we all have a connection to art that makes us who we are. Society needs art in the world to creatively approach problems, to bring light to issues, and to bring people together. Art is a necessary part of humanity and the benefits of it are all around us.
