When funding gets CUT, the first thing to go is the one entity that allows people to express themselves in a tangible medium which could potentially establish one as an individual. How dare one use artistic expression to set themselves apart from the mediocrity of uniformity?! But that's what our culture is about, right? We're all herded down a singular path not wide enough to allow our uniqueness to flourish, and once we reach the end we're handed the exact same measuring stick with which to compare our accomplishments. Creativity has been undervalued for way too long ... but it seems as though it's making a comeback. But what about artists? So many artists are forced to get "day jobs" because they can't make sustainable wages as a creative being. Lots of people expect us to be creative for free.
The process of the creation & manifestation of ART is taken for granted. It is seen as mindless activity performed by those incapable of becoming rocket scientists. ART is a crown for those who think outside of the box. If there was less time spent on creating a robotic society we'd have more problem solvers in the world. People solve problems by thinking out of the box ... not by regurgitating an answer that's already there. The development of creative thinking & artistry as a child is often stunted by the emphasis that our educational system has placed on finding the right answer; rather than being encouraged for finding a unique solution, our kids are taught that they are WRONG. This leads to the devaluation of creative thinking, the adherence to the stifling boundaries of "right vs. wrong" and a new generation that grows up to be art-hating adults who eventually become politicians that cut arts programs out of schools.
I could right 250 pages on this. Moral of the story: Live with art, it's good for you.
