Why take Art Appreciation? (2008)
Do you get it?
“G” is one of my former students. Here is some correspondence I had with a very successful
professional, G, who, with his wife, has raised 7 super successful children. He told me they all “had” to
take Art Appreciation in college, even though none were art majors. Read below to find out why:
---------------------------------------------------------------Hi G., I hope this email finds you and yours well. I've been meaning to ask you again about your kids
and how you encouraged them all to take art appreciation. Why did you do that? What did they get out
of it? (I agree, by the way)
---------------------------------------------------------------Stanley,
Nice to hear from you. We have grown to fourteen grandchildren now (12 girls). I have little time for art
these days as I have been doing a lot of (= too much) consulting. OK. Your questions. Mrs. G and I
believe that there is a vast cultural heritage for the inquisitive to know. It enhances your abilities to savor
the world, its peoples, its cultures. It doesn't much matter whether it is Diego Rivera, Pablo Picasso,
Hiroshige, Hosukai, Kaminski, or Kandinski. Each comes from a time and place that is relevant if you
want to live in a world that is as large and as diverse as it really is. When they travel they will add
Museums and Art Exhibits to their schedule. It extends their appreciation of a place and time and there
are truly great museums (and, as a bonus, architectural marvels) in this world; MFAH, for example, The
Menil, Chicago Art Institute, MOMA, the Guggenheim in Spain. All of our kids took music lessons and
most are conversant in at least one other language. Most took music appreciation. What they got out of
it, we would say, is an enhanced appreciation for the world in which they live. In addition, anything that
challenges you to learn something is good. Art does not come at you with a formula. Art opens to your
interpretation. It is, therefore, unlike Chemistry or Physics or Mathematics; it exists without rules. Hope
that is what you wanted. All the best, G.
---------------------------------------------------------------Thanks G., This helps... could you please list the occupations of your kids? (no names please) I'm
making a little motivational handout for my art students. I remember you had at least 2 doctors and a
Lawyer. Many, many students are not lucky enough to have parents like you both, so I know this will
have an impact for many. Thanks and have a nice day. -Stanley
---------------------------------------------------------------Stanley,
OK. We have three lawyers. One is an association general counsel for a large corporation, one is a
contract lawyer in a large law firm, and one does housing law for a charity in New York. We have two
doctors (MDs); one is a psychiatrist (in Utah) and one is a pediatrician (and professor of medicine here
in Houston). That makes five. The other two are both teachers, one a home-school type in Florida; one a
home-economics teacher in Fort Worth. Their kids (we have fourteen grandchildren) all have had music
and art as part of their lives from pre-school up. Just last week I was drawing pictures with our `6-month
old. He isn't very good, but he loves the colors and the marks. All the best, G.
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The Lesson:
Creativity and the fine arts are just as valuable as math, science and business to
successful, influential, powerful people.
Do you get it now?