WHY ART?
THE SHORT ANSWER
We create access to art for under-resourced youth because we believe it is the most effective way to equip, encourage, and empower them to recognize and become the most holistically healthy versions of themselves!
THE LONG ANSWER
Lorien Arts was founded based on research which strongly suggests that a lack of access to art is one of the greatest disadvantages facing youth living in low-income households. Inequitable access to art is too easily ignored. It’s ignored by most schools. It’s ignored by most of our society. Lorien Arts exists to address this inequity.
Evidence for the importance of art can be found at the most basic biological level. Scientists have known for some time now that half of the human brain is primarily dedicated to creative, imaginative, and abstract thinking.
(AI generated image from the prompt, “abstract image of God creating the universe”)
In addition to the biological argument, there is a strong spiritual argument. The three largest world religions (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) all agree on the Creation Story found in the book of Genesis (the first book of the Bible and Torah).
The very first words of the very first book say this: “In the beginning, God created…” Not only this, but God had no source material, meaning He created from pure imagination. So, the very first thing these sacred texts communicate is that God is creative; God is imaginative; God is the Original Artist. Fast forward a bit in the Creation Story, and the first thing we learn about humanity is that we’re made in God’s image.
If either or both of the above is true, then all people have an inner artist and creative capacity. It is either an actively engaged asset, or it has become dormant dead weight. And, the most effective way to develop creative capacity is through engagement with the arts.
“Picasso once said this, he said that, ‘All children are born artists. The problem is to remain an artist as we grow up.’
I believe this passionately, that we don’t grow into creativity, we grow out of it. Or rather, we get educated out of it.”
Therefore, the mission of Lorien Arts to create access to art for under-resourced youth is a mission to provide these youth with a chance to both more fully develop their brains AND the more fully develop their souls. In short, access to art provides young people the opportunity to become the most holistically healthy versions of themselves.
From a practical standpoint, engagement with the arts uniquely develops skill sets and mindsets necessary for future success. The World Economy Forum has projected the most in-demand job skills for the future. The Top-10 are nearly all related to creativity, innovation, and adaptability, which are skills developed most effectively in doing and engaging with art.
But, job skills aside, consider what is “exceptional” characteristics might be necessary for someone born into poverty to overcome inherent obstacles to a better future:
Courage (willingness to try something new, to step into the unknown)
Sense of Value & Self-Worth
Work Ethic, Discipline, & Perseverance
The Ability to Problem Solve & Reverse Engineer
Imagination, Ambition, & Foresight
At Lorien, we broadly classify all these characteristics under “THE 3 C’s” - Creativity, Confidence, & Critical Thinking. Through research and observation, we believe engagement with the arts is, by far, the best way to develop these skill sets and mindsets. All this is enhanced by engaging with the arts in the context of the “4th C” - Community.
One of the challenges in arguing the value of the arts is the difficulty in quantifying Creativity, Confidence, and Critical Thinking skills, let alone quantifying their impact. However, there is solid data and research that provides some good metrics which can be used as quantitative metrics to help represent qualitative impact. Here is a small sampling.
COMPARED TO THEIR PEERS, LOW-INCOME YOUTH WHO ENGAGE THE ARTS ARE..
If any of the above resonates with you, please consider supporting the mission to create access to art for under-resourced youth. You support will be truly life-changing.