Before I get started ... For my project I want to encourage people to be creative and artistic. Before I start my project I wanted to research into different areas which might help support and explain why art is good for people and the benefits of being more artistic.
How does Art Help People ď‚— Art is all about interpretation, when a person looks at art and
can 'identify' with what they think the artist had in mind when creating it, that can help give them a sense of understanding and or recognition of other people going through the same experiences as them and help them to feel better about themselves.
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21 reasons you should do art http://thefuturebuzz.com/2008/10/01/21-reasons-you-should-make-art/
1) Creativity breeds success Whether you’re in marketing, are an entrepreneur, or any part of the business world, it is vital to culture internal creativity. I know it has been an important part of any of my successes.
2) Do you watch TV? Make art instead What if, instead of being passively entertained, you could actively engage your mind in something that instead of leaving you empty inside, left you fulfilled and glowing. Try it.
3) Art is a lifelong challenge and infinite intellectual puzzle The deeper I progress in my art, the less I feel like I know. And that’s amazing because it provides a sense that so much is yet to be discovered. This inspires internal motivation for not only my art, but all areas of my life.
4) You’ll meet interesting people and make real connections Art is a great enabler of opening us up to each other and a guaranteed way to connect with like-minded people.
5) Digital technologies enable you to easily share your results with the world Whether you’re into music, photography or visual art, it’s now as easy as clicking a mouse to share your results with thousands, even millions of people. Even if your art isn’t digital art, you can easily take a picture, make a video, or make a recording and share it online. The tools are completely democratized.
6) There is no greater feeling of freedom Getting lost in the moment while creating art is liberating beyond anything else I have experienced.
7) There is no wrong answer You can make anything you want, and if it is pleasing to you, it is successful, there is never a wrong answer. You don’t even have to share it with the world, in fact I probably share only about 1% of what I make with the world. It is always more enjoyable to make art for intrinsic reasons than extrinsic.
8) Yes, you can I stated this in the introduction, but I’ll say it again: to be a human being is to be a creature of creativity. Art and creative, expressive freedom is something that each and every person is capable of. To not at least create some art is to not fully embrace your internal capabilities.
9) Cooking is art, writing is art, comedy is art, photography is art, gardening is art… Art is really whatever you make of it, the definition is so wide open. What I’m getting at is don’t be constrained in your thinking of what art is. Find what creative outlet vibes with your personality and what comes naturally and you’ll know it’s right for you.
10) You will learn things about yourself you didn’t know During hours spent alone engaged in your creative task, your thoughts and mindset will be shifted into a state of complete freedom from stress, anxiety and negativity. Having a flow experience is something beyond words.
11) You will challenge yourself to consistently grow One of the most rewarding things about making art is the fact that it is never complete, and once you get really into it, you will start on a quest of deep personal development.
12) Making art is the ultimate brain boost Once engaged in a form of art, your mind will constantly be churning with new thoughts, ideas and imagery in a positive way. People talk about mental supplements, vitamins, etc. none of that has any effect. Engaging your brain in creativity and actively creating your own art is the ultimate mental boost that will carry over into your everyday life.
13) You might not ever make a dime, and be completely fine with it I certainly have spent more money on music gear and hours making music than I have received in monetary returns. And, that doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, I would be fine with if I had never even made a cent off any of my art. That’s just not the point.
14) It will change your way of thinking about the world In a good kind of way. You will start to see beauty and patterns in things you did not before.
15) You’ll work infinitely better with your creative team members If you work with graphic designers, advertising people, or marketers you’ll understand what motivates these creative types. The best graphic designers are independent artists in their personal time. The best advertising people produce content for fun when not making creative for clients.
16) Art is the most intimate form of self expression And a way to connect with others on a deeper level than anything else.
17) Find passion again If you have lost that incredible passion you once had for life, finding a form of art to work on is a surefire way to re-spark it.
18) Change people’s lives, make others think An amazing, unexpected byproduct of making art is that you can bring happiness to thousands of people you’ll never meet (this is something amazing about sharing art through digital technologies). And, once in awhile you’ll get an email from someone letting you know how much your art means to them. It’s an indescribable feeling.
19) Finding meaning You can find incredible meaning in life by pursuing creative expression. It can be just what you need to conquer internal negativity and conflicts and experience personal growth.
20) Spending time alone can be beautiful Many in society have a fear of being alone. But, I can guarantee you artists are not among those who fear solitude. In fact, they embrace it and find that time to be some of their favorite moments alive while working on their craft.
21) An outlet for excessive emotion Feeling frustrated, depressed, anxious, angry? Art is the ultimate personal healer during stressful times.
Treatment Through Creativity ď‚— Many depressed individuals lift their moods through the creative process
by utilizing art therapy, which includes painting, writing and performance art. While art therapy traditionally focuses on using the visual arts to help the individual, music mherapy is another branch that allows the individual to listen to and/or "play" music in order to express and understand his feelings. Anyone can practice art therapy, as it addresses a broad range of problems, from psychological ones to helping with rehabilitation. An art therapist can help you analyze your creations to discover hidden meanings, new aspects of yourself that may be lying dormant, and may help you to overcome hindrances keeping you from living a happier life Read more: How Do Art & Music Help People with Depression? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5683562_do-art-musicpeople-depression_.html#ixzz1NIP6qXwU
Communicating ď‚— Art and music therapy are ideals tools for communicating in ways that
words don't always allow. Sometimes feelings are so deep-seated, for example, that a painting may help the individual better express what he's feeling. Also, many people aren't comfortable talking about their problems. Art therapy saves them from always having to. While an art therapist may want to discuss the meanings inherent in the art work with the client/artist, this may come later, once a safe relationship has been established. Music has long been thought to have healing properties, all the way back to Plato and Aristotle. And many romantic philosophers and artists have called it the greatest of the arts. Whether listening to it, or creating it, music cuts straight to the heart and can provide catharsis for the most disheartened individual Read more: How Do Art & Music Help People with Depression? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5683562_do-art-musicpeople-depression_.html#ixzz1NIPCnQTc
Creativity and Emotion ď‚— Many of our psychological problems are often unconscious. We are thus unable
to see them in our day-to-day lives. By using creative expression, the many blocks to our unconscious are bypassed. This is the freeing and healthy potential of making art, no matter how good or bad it is. Listening to music also has it's benefits, and can help dislodge painful feelings in a pleasurable way. The important thing is that the individual have the opportunity to express himself--it's not about whether you can sell the work at a gallery. It's not to be judged like that. The work is there to help the individual access certain feelings in order to live a more balanced and healthier life. There is some debate as to whether an individual can practice a minor form of art therapy alone. That is, without the help of a therapist. But as this remains controversial, let's look at a basic overview of who the art therapist is and what she does Read more: How Do Art & Music Help People with Depression? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5683562_do-art-music-peopledepression_.html#ixzz1NIPT1p5V
The Art Therapist ď‚— Art and music therapists, while technically trained differently, are
generally dynamic individuals, educated in both art (and/or music) and therapy. Using a person's creative expression, the therapist can grasp the overall mood of an individual and can diagnose serious problems such as depression through the nonverbal symbolic messages and metaphors. Therapists work with individuals in one-on-one adult and child treatment as well as with groups, families, friends and couples. Some therapists work together as a team. Read more: How Do Art & Music Help People with Depression? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5683562_do-artmusic-people-depression_.html#ixzz1NIPZTQmq