With all the talk of reducing budgets and cutting unnecessary programs, often the arts (music, dance, drawing) are the first to get the ax. This is so unfortunate because there is power in artistic expression that is vital to humanity. Studies have shown that when at-risk youth are exposed to the arts, they have higher and more positive outcomes in academic and social achievements than their counter-parts with limited exposure.
Michael Friedman, a social worker and adjunct professor at Columbia says in his post on the subject “art is not the source of the greatest happiness in everyone’s life, but it is a tremendous source of happiness for a great many people. And given the common belief that madness and creativity are linked, it is surely worth noting that whether or not mental illness contributes to art (I am doubtful), it certainly can contribute to mental health.”
Art is a platform for expression when there are no words. It is a place to create new and wonderful things. It is a place to revisit and express long pent up pain. It can make us smile and it can make us cry.
“When you have an expanded view of art, then it becomes clear it’s some sort of human necessity.”
At Ashenfelter and Associates we encourage and utilize music, writing and drawing as part of the counseling process. Whether you are in counseling or not, these are wonderful mediums for expression and healing. We’d love to hear what artistic forms of expression have helped you.
