The influence of art on our society

Artist Anna Nizhoni at Monster Drawing Rally for Arts Council of Park City & Summit County. Photo: Claire Wiley

By: Claire Wiley

I vividly remember the first time I saw “The Nutcracker” on stage. I was 8 years old, outfitted in a red velvet dress. It was my very first evening theater experience. My dad and I sat in the balcony on burgundy plush theater seats, my feet dangling. He had very intentionally brought me to this ballet because he said the main character reminded him of me, not to mention, her name was Clara.

I recall the theater going dark and the stage lights coming on to reveal a world that transfixed me. All these years later, I still feel that moment. It is forever etched in my memory as a transformative moment in my life.

I’d venture a guess that most reading this have a memory like that around a concert, a theater performance, art show, culinary experience, etc.

The arts make us feel, they connect us and challenge us. Some even say the arts have saved them.

Local artist Anna Nizhoni says the programs at the Arts Council of Park City & Summit County allowed her the opportunity to move forward after a tough time in her life.

“You never know how the arts can benefit and change people,” says Anna. “I have a traumatic past that I have overcome and the arts helped me break out of that and process that pain. The Arts Council and CREATE PC have been invaluable to me and have helped me heal so much.”

Although there is very clear data to show the impact arts play in a society — case in point the recent AEP6 report — it is also important we remind ourselves of the value arts and culture bring to humanity. Artistic forms of expression help us form values, build skills, and understand ourselves, others and the world around us more completely.

Here in Summit County, we have myriad arts and culture organizations, galleries, art activations and public art installations that bring locals closer together and provide visitors with a greater understanding of who we are as a community.

The true impact of the arts is hard to quantify. On an individual level, it has spoken to each of us differently. For Anna, she describes the arts as her guiding light.

“I don’t think people realize how intertwined art is with our everyday lives,” Anna shared. “The arts are everything to me. I think wherever there is creativity there is community. The arts have the power to bring so many interesting, unique and lovely people together.”

Now, as that little girl who was once perched in a burgundy theater seat in mid-Michigan many moons ago, I have witnessed time and again the integral role that arts and culture play in developing a cohesive and productive community.

Critics may find the arts and culture sector to be a nicety, but I’d argue that we have hard data, as well as immeasurable emotional impacts that provide undeniable evidence that a vital, cohesive and healthy society is one in which arts and culture is prioritized.