Final Writing Assignment Visual & Performing Arts Essay

Student Name
Professor’s Name
Course
Date
Art Institutions in the Contemporary Society
Q. 1
Art has diverse forms, and it exists in different communities, cultures, and nations. Since time memorial, art has been created, proved in cave portraits and rock painting, and the current world, people recognize that it can be a critical economic power, yet individuals continue to inquire about the value of art (Pooke, Grant, and Diana 38). Frequently people have different perceptions about art, and when they see any skill, they feel that they can also do it or they do not understand them. Maybe not valuing something that people themselves could create or imagine things to be assumed implies the loss of contemplation and originality in the world and only extends peoples’ prerequisites for the arts. "'Art' still imposes itself as a responsibility: it has to be preserved, it has to be shown, and it has to be explained." - Michael F. Zimmerman. From this quotation, it is evident that art is an element of beliefs, reflecting economic and societal substrata in its purpose. It conveys concepts and morals intrinsic in each culture through space and time. Its function modifies over time, obtaining more of an appealing factor and a socio-instructive purpose. Art being a responsibility, makes it a natural human behavior. Every culture has its type of art, like language; it is essential human conduct, which implies it is part of what humans are, and therefore, humans must take it as a responsibility because it makes people complete human beings. Art is also communication like language, and it is a platform to convey thoughts and to share ideas. Art provides a technique to interconnect what people might not necessarily fully realize or distinguish how to communicate. In preserving, showing, and interpreting, it assists people in sharing ideas, ideas, and imaginations that might not be capable of being said in any other manner. Therefore people need art to have a complete collection of communication.
Producing or experiencing art can unwind and sooth one, or it might brighten and arouse an individual. The procedure of forming art involves both the physique and the thoughts and offers people time to view their inner being and reflect. Living through art also offers us purpose to contemplate and be philosophical or might stimulate us to rise to the occasion (Pooke, Grant, and Diana 38). Art provides relief, a place for thinking, and a technique to involve ourselves completely. Therefore, it is a responsibility that we must embrace to keep us healthy. Art needs to be preserved, shown, and explained as it tells our stories. Art has a history message, and it is a historical account, conservation of values, and a life history entirely in one. Art documents occasions and practices and permits us a complete understanding of the past. Art replicates cultural principles, views, and uniqueness and assists in maintaining several different societies that form our world. Art records our lives and practices through time. Art still enforces itself as an obligation as we still need it in understanding and sharing our personal and shared history. Finally, art is an ultimately shared experience. The formation of art is a cooperative activity. The type of art, such as dance, dramatic art, and choir altogether, needs a set of actors and spectators. Even the self-contained artiste or writer depends on the abilities of the paint-maker or the one binding the book to assist in producing art. Art provides people a motive to come together and partake in an experience. Art still imposes itself as a responsibility, which must be preserved, demonstrated, and explained for people to stay connected.
Art transforms all the core aspects of the society, from the fundamental element of self to the experiences that define individual perspectives. Through music, literature, painting, and all other forms, art helps to create the link between the past and the present. Art in all its forms evokes emotions, it relaxes the mind and even stimulates creativity for everyone that encounters it (Nielsen 375). Art enables communication across different social groups, thereby propagating the exchange of cultures. Messages depicted through art serve the purpose of voicing opinions and ideas even from minority groups.
More than this, research proves that the human brain has a way of processing visual art in a way that boosts one’s well-being. This has been proven by research from Newcastle University that demonstrated how and why modern visual art is a form of therapy for the elderly. Moreover, it is no surprise that scholars who actively engage in music and art-related activities perform exemplary in mathematics and literature (Nielsen 373). From these observations, the National Art Education conclusively acknowledges that art is a primary form of self-expression. What is even better is that the wave of contemporary art creates jobs for the growth of economies.
This course helped in developing a greater realization of what kind of art establishments exist. I have learned that these art institutions have so many materials for cultural and historical values, are a good foundation of entertainment, and the assist in preserving and promoting our cultural heritage. I also learnt about old artifacts, sculptures and history at large, and how these institutions help in research and study. The kinds of issues that these institutions face in Canada today is that they find themselves in a vigorously ever-changing realm where time–esteemed approaches are turning obsolete and fruitless. I think museums need to adjust to encounter the requirements of their spectators while not losing sight of their duties.
Q. 3
Museums are probably the oldest homages to art all over the world. The very first museum is dated back to the 3rd century B.C., and this was found in the Alexandria city of Egypt. At this point in history, museums were storage for ancient farming and hunting tools. In others, human remains that had been recovered were the only materials in the museums (Anikina et al. 476). However, museums have changed over time in terms of functionality, perception, and their role in society. The purpose of museums has then gradually become more significance as museums are now found in almost all cities in the world. Even with the technological revolution, museums have been preserved and held with high regard in the various towns.
In ancient times, museums were only meant for storing items that had a particular cultural, political, historical, or social connotation. Such materials were collected and displayed in museums for viewing. This ideology made museums dull and miserable or in better situations, places to learn about cultures (Anikina et al. 476). To a large extent, this perception of museums attracted only the learned class of people while the uneducated kept off as they could not relate to the museum concept. With the growing focus on holistic social involvement, this misperception about museums is gradually being dismantled.
Today, museums embody the evolution of mankind through the centuries. Museums are the storage for, which man has invented and creatively improved from nature’s provision. More than anything else, museums hold the culture of societies and historical stories that are of utter importance. Even with this recognition, some still see museums as places where unwanted items are disposed of. Precisely, museums are associated with elements of items of unclear religious practices. Such perspectives still impede the appreciation of museums across cities. Amidst this tainted perception, museums strive to reinstate their place in society. First, they do this by positively impacting the community on all levels. The continuous positive impact must be evident in their vision and mission statement. They do this by redefining their purpose, which is to engineer positive social change. By connecting the past to the present, museums showcase progressive change that also helps to call for change for a better society. As well, museums host events that steer for societal development politically, economically, and socially. As museums provide ways to reminisce on historical times, they help to cultivate the spirit of democracy and governance that is founded on integrity.
Further, museums have to restructure their operations to show appreciation for modern culture. For example, museums have to identify with the prevailing urban culture of music and art to stay relevant to the larger society. On political levels, museums can and have been conducive platforms for citizens to discuss social issues. It is in such open forums that civic education is conducted concerning equality, resource distribution, policy-making, and governance. As much as these open forums discuss political issues, the moderators must remain apolitical. They have to ensure that partisan divisions are not encouraged even while the public tries to iron out the political issues. This kind of sensitization can be extended from the historical point of view and the political milestones of a nation. By providing spaces for civic engagement, people will be to resonate with the value of museums, even in society.
Visiting the museum has significantly helped in understanding diverse cultures. Indeed, it must be appreciated that cultural learning is critical in the education system. It is useless to have all the knowledge if a society does not truly understand its cultural and historical fabric. This is because museums have the tools to conduct cultural education even better than schools. Museums provide extensive exposure of ancient times to children in a bid to show progress and evolution. The places are also reservoirs for information not only regarding cultures but also socio-economic issues (Anikina, Oksana, and Elena 476). What makes museums even more effective learning tools is that the curators have thorough knowledge and exposure to different cultures. The only missing link in this is the lack of proper channels and programs to disseminate the information. Well-designed programs by the museums, thus, play a complementary role in the education system by imparting useful general knowledge to young people.
To capitalize on this, museums should work on developing tailored education programs for the different levels in the academic system. For example, planning and allowing students to pay regular visits to the museums would significantly impart historical knowledge. As well, ensuring that the museum environment is children friendly by enabling them to participate even in re-organizing museums (Anikina, Oksana and Elena 476). This goes beyond tagging children along when visiting the museum. This habit only downplays the role of museums and transfers a little perspective to the younger generation. To reverse this, museums must have programs to teach children cultures in a way that they can understand and relate with. In essence, the role of museums in the education systems must be elevated by integrating museum education in the curriculum and ensuring that learners acquire this education (Haxthausen 14). Such efforts are crucial to improving outcomes of cultural literacy.
Museums are elemental in the promotion of diversity and cultural appreciation. Through the collections in museums, the general public gets to learn that people are different and s are their beliefs. Museums impart and reinforce lessons regarding peace and unity and showcasing incidences where these virtues were lacking. In addition to these lessons, museums can have initiatives championing peace and love among people (Monfils, Anna, et al. 47). As aforementioned, museums are spaces for dialogue on current issues affecting the people. They thus propagate conversations around ethnicity, ethnic rivalry, and how to resolve such conflicts. Helping to address the problems bridges the gap between ethnic communities while promoting unity. 
Beyond cultivating peace and harmony among people of the same society, museums have the potential to unite nations and continents. This can be achieved through programs for cultural diplomacy and engendering cultural exchange. As people interact on these levels, they appreciate each other’s culture and pay attention to unity as opposed to the differences (Monfils, Anna, et al. 47). As well, cultural programs across nations would instill individual pride in people’s culture and respect for cultural differences. Immensely, these cultural programs, classical education, and dialogues are fundamental in building unity among people and nations. 
Museums have a pivotal role to play in the cultural and historical heritage of a nation. As in the past, the museum is charged with the purpose of cultural preservation in the 21st century for the sake of coming generations. This being the case, museums must promote cultural heritage to bring a sense of direction to a nation’s people. Museums should genuinely be able to forge for solutions too societal challenges. They can do this...