Even though we were dirt poor, my parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins by the dozens insisted that the arts be part of every day. My mother embroidered and tatted. My grandmother made lace, my grandfather played the fiddle, my mother too. My mother's wedding gowns were spectacular, the suits she made for my ex-jockey father were beautiful. Aunts played the piano and the family gathered round to sing after dinner. (And my father and uncle argued about who would sing tenor and who base.)
One cousin grew up to be a scene designer and made more than adequate money. The arts do provide jobs for thousands, not all of whom are stars. (A union theater electrician made some $50/hour last time I checked; a good costumiere (sp?) makes the long green in bunches as well.) A sound person, a cartoonist, a carpenter, all can and do make money in the arts. One of my earliest friends just retired from the university where he taught print making for the last however many years. The most important person a Carnegie Hall could be the piano tuner.
I'm more than willing to concede that I know squat about brain development, but I do know that the arts certainly helped in my huge family to develop some really fine people.
So, no, it isn't absurd to claim that the arts help to develop the well rounded human.
WizardMarks, Central
"If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution." can't think of the author right now.
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