For a long time the importance of art was never something I really contemplated. Sure, I love being on stage, in musicals, plays, choir performances. I even love to draw, sketch, paint, and color in those awesome adult coloring books (guilty pleasure). I don't believe I ever stopped to think what my life would be like without all of these things that I loved because it was always at the palm of my hands, in full access to me. I am sure some of you have gotten to this part of the article and are having the same thoughts I am typing out right now. Let me be clear, art is NOT just performing, or coloring. Art is something that cannot be defined. It's crazy because I just typed that sentence and then tried to find words to describe what art was. No matter how hard I try I can never find the right words that truly justify what art is. But, I can tell you what art means to me. It is something that pulled me out of a bad situation and made me focus in high school. It is something that I am willingly going to be in debt for. It is something that shows me everyday how I can be a better person. It is something that has lead me to the most beautiful people in my life. Today I sit here scared that someone out there is being told that their art is not enough, or even that their art is not "art" at all. Today I sit here scared that our school systems, government even, will take away something that made a child come to school in the first place. Today I sit here contemplating the importance of art. So, I decided I would challenge my friends, strangers, and classmates to two questions: Why is art important to you? In what ways does art better society? I didn't know how this was going to play out, but I hope their answers enlighten and effect you as much as it did me.

" [Art] It helps people become more aware of things that they may not have known before seeing a piece. It can broaden the mind. Art of any form can make a change or movement just by the way it captures people. Art in any form is important to me because I have the will to express myself and be who I am through works and pieces. I have the power to choose and be free through it."

"I was utterly shy when I was a kid, which is funny because I am utterly loud and appear to be outgoing. but no, my parents had to put me in special classes because I was not good at talking to people. The one thing I was never afraid to do... I was never afraid to perform. I was never afraid to get in front of people and act and sing. That never terrified me, the way it terrifies so many other people. I still feel more comfortable on stage than I do in real life... on stage I feel like I have power, that I have control. Acting and being a performer very much taught me how to be a human being. How to interact with others, how to think, how to be fearless. My art is a lot of the time my worst enemy, but it is also the thing that is always there. They say that if something would make you happier, don't do performing. I'm smart, I have many interests, I could have probably pursued something else that I could have succeeded at... however, at the end of the day, nothing makes me happier than the process of acting, the challenge of it all... a good day a good life is a day with rehearsal... I love it more than anything, because nothing makes me feel more alive and purposeful."

"It's all about the artistic exploration and process. We're given the opportunity to leave our lives behind the minute we walk into a stage door and the freedom to completely create a new life and new world. It's exhilarating and taxing, in the best way possible."

"The best part is afterwards when someone tells you their story and then tells you how your performance touched them or made them realize something important. That's the best part of any show, is getting the chance to possibly change a life."

"Finding ways to create a universal language that transcends barriers we have socially, linguistically, physically (?), and emotionally. I think performing means that you have to pay attention to the world around you in order to interpret it in a way that transcends. You can't speak one language and reach one audience of people."

Art is important. Art is not meant to be silenced, ridiculed, belittled. Society needs to embrace all kinds of art and instead of judging what that art might be embrace how that art makes someone feel. I find that sometimes,even if I am not passionate about it, it still makes someone else happy and I need to admire that. Who am I to tell someone else what art is? Support one another. We need art to survive.

Thank you so much for reading this article. I want to end this with a challenge. I challenge you to find someone who has different interests then you... whether it be someone who play sports, does makeup, drag, sings, acts, dances, writes, paints, draws, sculpts, etc. and ask them how it makes them feel. Converse with one another and learn to appreciate someones mind. Sending my good vibes to everyone! Hey, it's almost summer, smile.