The arts are an important part of daily life; let’s support them
Diana Muriuki, a co-founder of Howam Schools of Arts and Music in Nyeri during an interview on October 14, 2021.
Not long ago, music and art were considered “luxury” subjects and were cut off from school curriculum to make room for what were considered more important subjects.
Now, the arts are being appreciated and promoted more in schools and colleges.
This is because these areas of knowledge are opening doors that even sciences and mathematics can’t. Besides fame and big money, they are important for child development.
Benefits include better brain development, better concentration, better communication and instant stress relief.
Let us not forget that the arts provide us with a platform to adequately express our feelings, emotions or views to fellow humans. Music also has a soothing effect on both the singer and the listener.
As a pianist, piano is my safe haven. Playing the piano requires high concentration as you need both hands to play a song.
This also improves hand-eye coordination. I am also able to communicate my feelings through this instrument.
When sad, I play sad songs but when elated, I let happiness out through light, upbeat melodies that also make other people happy. Many people think that art is confined in the form of sculptors, paintings, drawings and sketches only. But when you look at graffiti work, is it not also a form of art? When you look at a tattooed body, don’t you appreciate the level of creativity?
Literature is an overlooked but important aspect of art through which we communicate and share our stories. It is in the form of language and can be spoken or written. Anyone can do it!
Architecture is also a form of art. The beauty of art and music is that they are a part of our everyday lives.
The arts open up doors to various career opportunities such as music, design, dance and even teaching. Let us promote the arts by including them in our school curriculum and paying enough attention to them. Let us raise awareness on the importance of these subjects because, as we have seen, they have many benefits to people of all ages.
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