Art Appreciation by Claire Riley

In school we slave to do well in science, math, english, and history classes, these being known as the courses above all others. The thing is, what if I can't grasp the concept of history, or science? "You just aren't trying HARD enough," the teachers will say. Maybe i'm not, maybe I need to spend all of my time dedicated to studying these classes in which I know I WON'T be perusing in the future...but what good does that do? See the thing is, I like to spend the time in which I'm supposed to be studying for unpolished academic classes to rather commit myself to the arts. It can sometimes feel like the arts are forgotten, buried under the heavy layers of work and responsibilities given by academic classes. Personally, I intend to pursue acting and singing in my future, in which case I believe I will not need to remember EXACTLY how the phospholipid bi-layer is constructed or how to recite The 10 Amendments. What really irks me though is how the kids who really love the academic fields, and who really dedicate themselves to only those classes are praised high above others. This can leave others with an uncanny feeling of doubt, as if what they wish to practice isn't worth their time. I can easily prove otherwise.

Kids wishing to engulf themselves in other classes such as sculpture, choir, orchestra, band, or even another language are exercising parts of their brain that the 4 core classes can't do! Music classes have been proven to develop thinking skills and improve intellect. Studying other languages actually slows the aging of the brain and raises productivity. Even sports, if you want to call them an art, can activate the brain and provide it with oxygen. The Fine Arts Department of the Katy Independent School District states, "The arts enhance the process of learning. The systems they nourish, which include our integrated sensory, attentional, cognitive, emotional, and motor capacities, are, in fact, the driving forces behind all other learning." The truth is, art really does work on specific parts of our brain, and we need to encounter both core and art classes to truly develop a healthy mind.

So sure, I may not become a rocket scientist. This doesn't mean I'm "not trying hard enough." In this case, why is it that for science-y kids, being "bad" at art and music means "it's just not their niche?" In reality, I don't think everyone has an aptitude for science, math, history, or english, nor do they for the arts. All we can do is learn to know the basics, and continue to persevere in the classes we enjoy the most.