Why Society Should Support the Arts: Benefits and Methods
This paper argues that society has a fundamental obligation to support the arts, drawing on anthropological, philosophical, and political perspectives. It contends that artistic expression is not a luxury but a practical necessity rooted in human nature — forming the metaphorical foundation of cultural identity, tribal cohesion, and social stability. The paper traces historical examples from prehistoric cave paintings to Renaissance masters, examines the diminishing role of arts education in contemporary schools, and reviews international calls for government action. It also outlines the history of federal arts support in the United States, from constitutional copyright provisions to tax incentives and the National Endowment for the Arts.
- Art as a Fundamental Human Necessity: Art as survival, identity, and cultural cohesion
- Historical Precedents for Artistic Primacy: Ancient civilizations that prioritized artistic expression
- Art Therapy, Education, and the Liberal Arts: Modern neglect of arts in schools and therapy
- International Calls to Support the Arts: ISPA global statement urging government arts support
- Government Support and Federal Arts Policy: U.S. constitutional and tax-based arts funding history
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper opens with a strong thesis grounded in anthropology and philosophy, immediately establishing that art is a survival necessity rather than a decorative luxury.
- It supports its central claim with a range of sources — from academic essays and international policy statements to constitutional history — lending breadth to the argument.
- Concrete comparative examples, such as the Egyptian pyramids versus the U.S. nuclear arsenal, make abstract philosophical claims accessible and memorable.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper effectively uses an escalating-evidence structure: it begins with philosophical and anthropological reasoning, moves through historical examples, addresses contemporary policy failures in arts education, and concludes with institutional and governmental frameworks. This progression takes the reader from "why art matters" to "what we should do about it," giving the argument both intellectual grounding and practical direction.
Structure breakdown
The paper comprises five identifiable sections: (1) an opening thesis on art as human necessity, supported by metaphor theory; (2) historical examples demonstrating art's primacy across civilizations; (3) a critique of modern arts education and the value of art therapy; (4) an international policy statement from the ISPA; and (5) a review of U.S. government arts support from the Constitution through tax policy. A Works Cited list in MLA-adjacent format closes the paper.
Art as a Fundamental Human Necessity
Society should support the arts because art inspires humankind. All civilizations have depended on art and metaphor to illuminate the meaning of life, and when a society loses its central metaphors it weakens and eventually dies. Moreover, people should be encouraged to create rather than merely observe, because the creative process — not the end product — actually becomes the teacher. Although it may often appear trivial, art lends drive and purpose to what would otherwise be insignificant lives.
For example, the pyramids might seem excessive given that pharaohs devoted a large percentage of their country's gross national product to the pursuit of immortality. By contrast, the United States spends billions to stockpile a nuclear arsenal capable of obliterating the earth many times over. Humans instinctively turn to pictures and images for purpose and meaning in their lives, as well as for political stability, order, and ethics. Humans are tribal by nature, and exile is a slow and predictable death of body and spirit. Thus, artistic expression is a practical necessity because it is the foundation of tribal identity, purpose, and cohesion.
If humans do not cohere, they die. Art as metaphor is tantamount to survival. A society is as strong as the belief in its metaphors permits, and it lasts as long as that belief continues. Because metaphors are images, and images are pictures, and pictures can be made of — or evoked through — words, paint, clay, and sound, art must be viewed as a fundamental means of sustaining existence and identity.
Works Cited
Government Support for Cultural Activities. Retrieved August 31, 2005 from
ISPA Urges World's Leaders to Support the Arts. June 22, 2005. International Society for the Performing Arts Foundation. Retrieved August 31, 2005 from
Sweet, Robert Burdette. "Creatures of the Metaphor: The Importance of Art and Metaphor to Society." The Humanist. November 1, 1995. Retrieved August 31, 2005 from HighBeam Research Library.
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