We live in a society where productivity is prioritized over creativity, and to be a free thinker, you must first be bound to a textbook. In a world where the arts are expected to lie in the shadow of academics, I aim to shine light on the importance of having a creative outlet. Whether it be writing sonnets, following along with a Bob Ross tutorial or even heckling in your local newspaper’s opinion section, having a means of free expression is crucial to the development of emotional intelligence, practical skills and, most importantly, bridging the gap between academia and the arts.
As mentioned before, the arts seem to be presented as inferior to what are deemed more practical or valuable pursuits such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We’ve seen this phenomenon at our own university. As of Oct. 2024, UConn had 70 low-enrollment majors under evaluation for elimination. Of these majors, many fine arts programs were included, such as art, art history, acting, design, technical theatre, theatre studies, music and music education. This reflects the same thought process shared by close-minded individuals who say a creative outlet isn’t necessary and that the arts and academics cannot stand together. This is a false and uneducated claim. I encourage you to be open-minded, because academics without the arts simply do not exist.
Academics rest on the basic principles that govern the world around us. You can see science in the symmetry of flowers, the unique patterns of your fingerprints and the synchronized soundwaves that make up your voice. While based on science, these things are also art. Having a creative outlet frees your mind and connects you to the world academics teach us about. By expressing yourself in a creative form, you are going beyond the curriculum and experiencing firsthand the phenomenon that is life.
Having a creative outlet has been proven to benefit well-being and overall academic performance. Poetry, drawing and other creative pursuits foster emotional intelligence. They require the use of complex thought, which transfers over to all common curriculums. If one can express themself through creative outlets, they are exercising the very cognitive skills that contribute to academic success. It’s one thing to be able to consume information from a textbook and complete a test, but it takes elevated ability to present thoughts creatively. Your brain is a muscle, so it needs a proper workout routine to remain strong. Like any proper workout, rest and preparation are critical to long term results. A creative outlet serves as a rest from day-to-day stressors, while also preparing us to critically think, problem solve and emotionally regulate.
Everything previously described has been a philosophical approach to convince you to pick up writing, drawing, sculpting or any variety of creativity. There are significant practical applications to these pursuits. From proficiency in writing to increased mobility, artistic outlets exercise our physical coordination. You exercise your grip when you hold a pencil or a paintbrush; you exercise your body when you dance or sing; and you exercise your focus when you carve, sculp or sketch. If you practice the arts, you are strengthening your body in a way that positively impacts your day-to-day life, such as increased stamina, lung health, coordination and balance. So go exercise, and I don’t mean in the gym!
You can have dentists without dexterity. You can’t have architects without design. You can’t have engineers without creativity or doctors without the ability to understand complex emotions. But, most importantly, you cannot have academics without the arts. So, go explore the arts. Find what allows you to express yourself freely. Explore theatre, painting or even writing for your local newspaper (which I highly recommend). Whatever it is, having a creative outlet is essential for growth. It sharpens your mind, refines problem solving skills and fosters a deep connection to the world around you. Go explore the arts and let them be a tool as you navigate the complex route of life.