Importance of Life in Arts

What Is Art to Us?

     Art can communicate information, shape our everyday lives, make a social statement and be enjoyed for aesthetic beauty. Tarrant County College reinforces Fort Worth’s rich culture. Each campus offers a variety of fine art experiences for students of all majors to attend and become inspired. These opportunities include theater performances, music concerts, dance performances and visual art gallery exhibitions. Trinity River Campus is even home to a large techno-centric art collection. These free resources represent an extension of the classroom and can be utilized and appreciated by the entire community.       In an informal conversation with Scott Robinson, dean of humanities at the Trinity River Campus, several Design I students were discussing the importance of art and why it is necessary in an academic environment. Through much discussion and some arguing, the group concluded that the arts are necessary to give meaning to things. The sciences provide the facts and information that give order to our world and are at the vanguard of innovation and human achievement. For example, science can teach us about the life cycle of organisms. It explains why organisms age, it provides the ability to prolong life through medicine, and it gives an insight into the workings of death and decay.      On the other hand, art can give meaning to the concept of death. Egyptians mummified individuals and laid them to rest in magnificent tombs, while present-day humans place loved ones in the ground (or in mausoleums) and decorate that resting place with plaques, memorials and flowers. El Dia de los Muertos celebrates the passing of loved ones and remembers them through visitations, offerings and the belief that their souls remain nearby. These cultural practices, combined with our scientific understanding, allow us to process life and death more holistically.     The focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) is one of the current buzz worthy initiatives in academia. The acronym can easily be transformed into STEAM by the inclusion of art into the formula. Art should be included, and the focus should change. The exclusion of the arts is a disservice to the world’s youth. A popular bumper sticker asserts that “Earth” without “art” is just “Eh,” a desolate and meaningless place. We can do better than that. We must. Art is the key.