The Arts Matter … For Our Children’s Sakes and Our Communities

Photo: Marc C. Whitt, 2025

By Marc C. Whitt

Last night, my wife Jennifer and I joined our family at the beautiful and historic Lexington Opera House in Downtown Lexington to witness a performance that will stay with us for a long time. Our 8-year-old and 5-year-old granddaughters danced with joy, confidence, and poise in a recital that featured students ranging from young beginners to high school seniors. Before a full house, these children displayed not only remarkable talent, but heart—pure, sincere, and captivating.

This morning, as I looked through photos we took before and after the performance, I found myself overwhelmed—not just with pride, but with renewed conviction. The performing arts matter. And not just to proud grandparents like me. They matter deeply to our children.

As the son whose dad was a band director and a mother who majored in theatre—and as someone who’s spent a lifetime making music—I’ve seen and lived the life-changing value of the arts. My wife, our children, and now our grandchildren are all part of this ongoing legacy of band, choir, theatre, and now dance. We’ve felt the impact of the arts in our bones.

And yet—despite decades of compelling research, countless success stories, and thriving student outcomes—we still find ourselves having to fight for the arts. We write letters. We speak at school board meetings. We rally support year after year, pleading with decision-makers to see what we already know in our hearts to be true: the arts are not a luxury. They are essential.

Why does this remain such a hard sell?

When something consistently works—when it demonstrably improves academics, enhances social and emotional well-being, and fosters future-ready citizens—why not fund it fully and enthusiastically?

Let’s be clear: participation in music, dance, theatre, and the broader performing arts doesn’t just entertain. It shapes lives.

Here are 10 benefits of involvement in the performing arts for children and teens:

1. Academic Achievement. Students involved in the arts consistently perform better on standardized tests and maintain higher GPAs. Arts education improves memory, language development, and spatial reasoning.

   
   

2. Improved Discipline and Time Management. Rehearsals, practice schedules, and performance deadlines instill a strong work ethic and help young people learn how to manage time and set goals.

   
   

3. Enhanced Creativity and Problem-Solving. Arts education sparks the imagination and trains young minds to think outside the box—skills that are invaluable in any field or career.

   
   

4. Stronger Communication Skills. Whether speaking a line, singing in a choir, or conveying emotion through movement, young performers become confident communicators, comfortable in front of an audience.

   
   

5. Teamwork and Collaboration. The performing arts are rarely solo acts. Students learn how to listen, compromise, support, and work toward a shared vision.

   
   

6. Emotional Intelligence and Empathy. Engaging with music, dance, and theatre invites children to explore emotions, understand others’ experiences, and develop compassion.

   
   

7. Resilience and Perseverance. Mastering an instrument, nailing a dance routine, or performing onstage builds grit and teaches students how to handle mistakes, criticism, and setbacks.

   
   

8. Cultural Awareness and Appreciation. The arts expose students to stories, traditions, and perspectives from all over the world, helping them become more globally-minded citizens.

   
   

9. Mental Health and Emotional Wellness. The arts provide a healthy outlet for self-expression, reduce stress, and promote joy, confidence, and self-esteem.

   
   

10. Sense of Belonging and Identity. Performing arts communities become safe havens where students find their people, discover their voices, and feel seen and valued.

    
    

This is why we must continue the fight—even when it gets tiring. Even when it feels like shouting into the wind. Because our children, and their children, deserve these life-giving opportunities.

Just as the performing arts benefit individual children and families, they also offer transformative advantages for entire communities. Here are five benefits of having a thriving arts community:

1. Economic Growth and Job Creation. A vibrant arts scene boosts local economies by attracting tourism, creating jobs, drawing young families and retirees, and supporting small businesses. From theatre and orchestral productions to university and community band and choir concerts, art galleries, music festivals, and dance studios, the arts generate revenue and stimulate surrounding commerce—benefiting restaurants, retail shops, and hotels alike.

2. Enhanced Community Identity and Pride. The arts help define a community’s character, telling its stories and honoring its history. Public art, local performances, and community arts programs build a shared sense of pride, belonging, and cultural richness.

3. Increased Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion. Arts organizations bring people together across age, race, income, and background. Whether it’s a public concert, a mural project, or a school performance, the arts encourage dialogue, empathy, and collaboration, helping to bridge divides and strengthen neighborhoods.

4. Improved Educational Outcomes and Youth Retention. When communities invest in the arts, schools thrive and young people are more likely to stay engaged. Areas with strong arts infrastructure tend to see higher graduation rates and are more likely to retain talent, keeping young professionals and families rooted in their hometowns.

5. Better Quality of Life and Well-Being. A community rich in the arts is a more joyful, livable place. Access to concerts, galleries, theatre, and creative spaces enhances mental health, reduces stress, and makes everyday life more vibrant and inspiring—for everyone.

The bottom line: a thriving arts community isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s a key driver of economic vitality, educational strength, social connection, and collective well-being.

So yes, the arts matter—for our children’s sakes, and for the communities they will one day lead.

Last night’s recital reminded me: these are not just “extracurriculars.” They are essential pieces of a whole education—and of a whole life.

I am grateful beyond words that my children and grandchildren have had the chance to grow in and through the arts. But I want that same opportunity for every child in every community—rural or urban, wealthy or under-resourced.

Let’s stop treating the arts as optional.

Let’s treat them as vital and essential.

Because they are. For our children’s sakes.

The arts matter. Pure and simple.

Copyright (c) 2025 Marc C. Whitt