I’ve been involved in the arts since the second grade. It’s all I’ve ever known, and I can’t imagine what the world would be like, if Arts programs weren’t as easily accessible as they are now. Unfortunately, inaccessibility to the arts in school, has been a real threat for years, but is now, more than ever. With recent event, the fear of a life without the arts is creeping in, and in this time, I’d like to share some ways the Arts have helped me.

1. It gave me a space to express myself

Choir, musical theater, creative writing, art classes; you name it, I took it. It gave me a space to put my feeling, emotions, and words into something beautiful. I didn’t have to worry about it being judged because all people saw was art.

2. It gave me an escape from the real world

As much as people don’t want to acknowledge that teens have their own issues, it’s true. Between friend drama, grades, figuring out what they want to do with their lives, and potential issues at home, kids and teens have it tough. Just listening to music, or reading a favorite book can be enough to help kids along.

3. I made life long friendships

I will never forget the love and friendships that blossomed though my art experiences. 6 days a week for 3 months we were in rehearsals. Even when we weren’t we were still spending time together. Now, almost 5 years out of high school, when we get together, its like no time has passed at all.

4. It showed me how to see the world creatively

With the teenage hardships as well as stressful world events, there comes personal retaliation. And as a person who loves to laugh, and who loves to find the beauty in the most ugly of scenario’s, being an art student taught me how to look at the world creatively. The most valuable and eye opening thing it taught me was the every body was a work of art.

5. It opened my eyes to different mediums of art

When we say art, we automatically think paintings or sculptures, but it is so much more than that. It’s music, it’s creative writing, it’s history, it’s journalism, it’s graphic design, it’s cosmetology, it’s video games and architecture, and it’s much much more than just pictures in a frame.

I want nothing more than for the children of now and of the future to have the fantastic artistic experiences I had growing up. I wouldn’t be who I am today if I hadn’t been in my very first music class in second grade.