By Michael Isberto |Staff Writer|

Art is essential to a well-rounded education, but for some reason, it’s always the first thing that general consumers and educators cut from their budgets when money is tight.

The lack of funding for art programs has taken its toll on schools across the U.S., including one of the main art organizations in the West Coast.

The Music Center in Los Angeles is one of the leading performing arts and music education centers in California.

Their mission statement is “to make quality arts education part of the core curriculum for all schools in Los Angeles County,” as well as “to establish The Music Center as a welcoming and inclusive venue for children, families, and the larger community where they come to develop deeper appreciation and understanding of the arts,” as stated on their website.

Unfortunately, due to budget cuts and lack of financial support, The Music Center is having a hard time staying afloat.

“After decades of sending artists to work with students in Los Angeles County schools, the Music Center has cut its education department’s staff amid fundraising shortfalls,” reported the Los Angles Times.

We cannot let art programs disappear. It is important to give children and adults a creative outlet. Expressing oneself creatively can relieve stress and help prevent depression.

“When something’s on your mind, chances are you’ll feel better when you get it out,” according to WebMD in an article about relieving depression.

“That can be especially true for people recovering from depression. Art, writing, music, or other creative hobbies can help you process your emotions. The act of expressing yourself, of creating something original that comes out of your feelings or mood, can be satisfying in itself,” according to WebMD.

Not only do the arts help people feel better emotionally, but studies have shown that it also makes people stronger by exercising their brain in a different way.

“A study by Virginia Penhune at Concordia University shows that musical training, particularly instrumental training, produces long lasting changes in motor abilities and brain structure,” according to U.S. News.

“The earlier a child starts instrumental training, the stronger the connection between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. These changes last into adulthood and are proven to affect the ability to listen and communicate as an adult,” according to U.S. News.

Art is indispensable. There are many reasons why the arts should be a part of every educational core curriculum.

People are healthier, happier, and even smarter because of the arts. Most of all, the entire world is a more beautiful place when filled with art.

Art doesn’t only make people happy and feel good.

For years, activists including the late legendary musician Pete Seeger and street artist Banksy have been using their different modes of art to spark social change.

“A good song reminds us what we’re fighting for,” said Pete Seeger.

Upcoming artists are also planning on using their craft to inspire social change as well.

“Art and music serves as a universal agent to allow anyone from any walk of life, any creed, and any community to see into the window of how we are all connected,” stated Krystle Tugadi, a Masters of Fine Arts student at Cal Arts University and Human rights activist.

“Through our singular experiences, we can all still relate to the many different stories told on screen, onstage and in music because we all ultimately come from the same fabric of the human experience. And it also allows us to know and believe in our authority of having a voice and letting it be heard,” continued Tugadi.

Art is powerful. It has the capacity to change our perspectives; it can help us evolve, and with our collective internal metamorphoses, it can change the world.