Try Art for a Change

It’s time to break the myth that art is only for “those who appreciate it”. The truth is art is for any and every one, and can even offer tangible results from intangibles.

Today, art is often misunderstood as something that people take up just as a hobby and pursue professionally only if they are left with no other career option.

Moreover, the theory (which has been debunked by experts) that suggests that people can only be good artists if they are ‘right-brained’ and creative – and not ‘left brained’ and logical – has made many folk believe that they cannot be artists or appreciate art if they are practical and analytical in any way. 

This has resulted in art often being dismissed as merely a pass time and something that deserves attention only when the ‘real’ work has been done.  

So, it’s no surprise that many professional musicians, actors, writers, painters, dancers…and other artists (besides a select few) are paid far less than they deserve and often struggle to make ends meet.

What compounds this issue is the myth that artists are born only from adversity and that chaos breeds creativity. As a result, many art enthusiasts also deliberately try to lead lives of isolation and emotional instability in order to produce outstanding art. This has ended up giving all artists a bad rap and even shrouded many careers in art with gloom and doom.

So, while the “serious” folk are thought to opt for business careers, the ones who identify as artists are looked upon as more casual and impulsive. Sometimes, even as low-IQ junkies addicted to following the wayward advice of their hearts.

But the truth is art is powerful. In fact, it is so powerful that it can be the reason behind revolutions and radical change. 

American entrepreneur and philanthropist Eli Broad highlights the importance of art with these words: “Civilizations aren’t remembered by their business people, bankers or lawyers. They’re remembered by their arts.”

Read on to find out how you can use art to change your life and the lives of those around you for the better.

Art can make you smarter

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination” — Albert Einstein

Art can supercharge your brain. This is because when people engage in art, they push themselves to think creatively and explore new ideas. While on the surface it may seem that like they are just having fun, in truth they are actually engaging in intense mental workout sessions. Several studies show that there is a definite link between practicing an art form and higher cognitive development. Many educators across the world also believe that arts can help generate social responsibility in individuals.    

A study by New York Times on the positive effects of arts revealed that children who visit museums even have higher test scores. Moreover, Music Training Sharpens Brain Pathways, a study published by Education Week, suggests that music training (in particular) increases “the neural connections in regions of the brain associated with complex memory, creativity, and decision-making”. Scientists also believe that children who practice art from any early age demonstrate better critical thinking skills and educational memory.

Art can make you happier

“Art is something that can make you breathe with a different kind of happiness” — Anni Albers

Capturing Creativity, an article by Robert Epstein published in Psychology Today stated, “…greater creativity breeds greater happiness. The creative process is itself a source of joy for most people. And with new creative powers we’re also better able to solve the little problems that beset us daily.” Research by University of London also shows that even just looking at art produces an increase in dopamine and activity in the brain’s frontal cortex, resulting in feelings that are very similar to being in love.

Moreover, the study shows that people experience these sensations almost immediately when they began viewing an enjoyable or poignant work of art. This means that even people suffering from anxiety, depression and trauma can greatly benefit by engaging in art. Moreover, by creatively engaging their emotions through art, individuals can not only experience the joys of learning something new but also connect with other creative people and possibly form strong friendships in the process.

Art can help you find your identity

“Art has a role in education of helping children become like themselves instead of more like everyone else” — Sydney Gurewitz Clemens

Several studies show that self-awareness is the key to success. Often times, people engage in activities that only help them to “make more money’. This can cause them to lose their real identity in the process. By engaging in art, people can express themselves and find out what they really love to do. This in turn can also help them feel free to innovate and become more in tune with what they want and where they need to go.

Art-based personality assessments also help individuals identify their exact character traits and true strengths and weaknesses. As a result, they help people determine where and how they should invest their time and energy. For example, someone who has been told to take up a certain career only because of the money factor may find that engaging in art or taking up art-based personality tests can reveal what they can do best and be truly happy doing.  

Art can make you a better person

“The arts, it has been said, cannot change the world, but they may change human beings who might change the world.” — Maxine Greene 

In today’s selfie-obsessed world, it’s not hard to see that narcissism is on the rise. One of the by-products of this increase in self-centeredness is a drastic decrease in compassion. So, it’s no surprise that many schools and colleges are looking for ways to imbibe compassion into their students. Many have found that art is the best way to help both young and old alike understand the feelings of others and learn empathy.

From literary to performing art, each art form presents individuals with the opportunity to visualise and experience the joys and sorrows of even those who are not like them. For example, actors offer their audience with new perspective about people and situations by portraying characters that are very different from their own. By using art to learn compassion, people can also understand what really makes those around them really tick. This knowing can help them accept and become more tolerant towards others, thereby becoming better people who strive for a better society.

So, don’t be misled by false notions and beliefs about art and artists. Instead, go ahead and try art for a change. Encourage an artist or become one yourself.

Source: www.eqand.com