The Arts Permeate Every Part of our Lives

Recently, ISO double bassist Brian Smith, was interviewed for a video project about the importance of arts in our community. After providing a brief answer to the question, “What argument would you make to those in non-artistic professions to support the need for the arts in society,” Brian spent some more time thinking about it and provided the following thoughts.

I was asked recently what argument I would make to those in non-artistic professions to support the need for the arts in society (the assertion by some being that the arts have no real significance in our community). I mean, it's just another form of entertainment, right? My answer at the time was that the arts, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in particular, provide not only an entertainment option, but an avenue to explore the emotional and philosophical aspects of our world in a way that other mediums don't allow. If we do our jobs onstage well, performances will take on a life of their own for every audience member listening and each will react differently, based on their own experience, in a personally meaningful way. I believe this is absolutely true, but there is more to the story.

The arts are everywhere in each of our lives, whether we recognize them or not. Consider for a moment going to a movie that contained no music, a wedding with no first dance, or even just turning on the radio and hearing nothing but static. There would be no plays, movies, or TV shows without actors, no sculpture or painting to enhance our homes and workplaces without artists. The arts permeate every part of our lives. They can inspire, console, frighten, and uplift. The arts are like a language that we all speak, and without knowing why, can affect us profoundly. As a musician, I know first hand the benefits of studying an art form. Music can teach us many valuable lessons applicable to other parts of our lives. One lesson of critical importance deals with problem solving and abstract thinking. Have you ever wondered why you can listen to the same piece of music played by multiple performers and have dramatically different experiences? It is due in large part to the fact that each performer must make choices and solve problems in a way that is unique to them, thus creating a new and different interpretation of the work. Among other things, performers must decide for themselves how a piece should paced, phrased, and presented. Then they must figure out a way to achieve that vision. In other words, they have to solve a myriad of problems that will likely involve techniques that they are comfortable with and the integration of new ideas that may be unexplored for them to that point of their development.

To continually progress as an artist, you must, to coin an overused cliche, "think outside the box" as often as possible. Another part of being a musician is, just like mom used to say, learning to play well with others. Most musical performances require collaboration with other artists, whether it be with a large ensemble like the ISO, or a solo recital which usually requires accompaniment of some kind. Communication and compromising skills are essential in these settings and one must learn them quickly if they wish to have success on stage. But the most beautiful and engaging part of any artistic endeavor is the opportunity for people to create and express themselves in unique and personal ways. So often in our formative years we are told to study academic subjects such as mathematics, science, and grammar. While these subject matters are crucial in all our lives, students have far fewer opportunities to explore their creativity and how it may help and impact them in other parts of their lives. Perhaps more than anything else, this is the most important reason why everyone should support the arts.

This video will be shown at the Arts Council of Indianapolis’ annual Start with Art luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009.