With technology becoming more prevalent in our lives now more than ever, there has been an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Consequently, there has been a significant decline in the humanities and the arts. Certain arts programs are being defunded in favor of math and science clubs. Parents, teachers, and guidance counselors are more likely to disapprove of interests in the arts as opposed to the sciences. The notion that all art, theater, and literature majors are “useless” is all too common.

This is not meant to slander STEM studies. It is integral to our progress as we discover new ways of thinking, solving, and inventing. The people in the science/math field contribute to our growing and advancing society. Society will accomplish more as new algorithms, cures, and gadgets come to fruition. For instance, modern medicine is at its peak due to new formulas and technology. I wouldn’t be typing on this MacBook if it weren’t for an engineer and computer scientist. A lot of the technology we take for granted we owe to those in STEM.

However, sometimes there’s an over-glorification of this that can go as far as to condescend those who want to pursue the arts.

The arts are just as important as science/math because without movies and music and art, where would our enjoyment come from? Can you imagine how dull the world would be without vibrant colors and murals, without performers entertaining you for the evening, without a good book on a rainy day? In fact, when comparing all these geniuses—scientists, mathematicians, writers, painters—they’re not that different. They all dare to dream and dive outside the realm of possibility, creating something bold and new.

The arts aren’t all froth though; they possess the power to educate as well. Visual learning follows students from preschool to college, from felt shapes to diagrams. Many people find that visuals enhance their learning, making sense of technical and complicated jargon. Reading and writing improve language proficiency, vocabulary, and creative self-expression. While the arts are primarily viewed as a form of entertainment, they can be thought-provoking.

In fact, some of the most profound ideas and thoughts come from art, from both the artists and the viewers. One of the best things about art is its subjectiveness. There’s no right or wrong answer. A group of people can observe a painting or read about a character and each one will have a different opinion. Art encourages discussion about our viewpoints: what they mean, what motivated them, and why they may differ. Our understanding of the world, as well as of each other, suffers without art.

Besides, all arts share a common link of great value—the power of storytelling.

Often, people think of stories as meant for children—diminutively referred to in phrases such as storytime or bedtime stories. However, storytelling is an art and practice that has existed since the beginning of time. Storytelling came about when humans became civilized, learning to communicate through writing, pictures, and speaking. In fact, we tell stories every day; they make for conversation at the dinner table, icebreakers at parties, and a good way to vent after a tough day at work. Although this may initially be perceived as nonfiction, people tend to exaggerate, especially when telling the story from memory. We tend to fictionalize our experiences to captivate interest and use our imagination to fill in the gaps, thus creating our own fiction—our own stories. Humans are simply natural born storytellers, so, in a way, all of us are artists.

Empathy is the core value of storytelling. Most of us seek to empathize with the protagonist in the book or play, or we find something within ourselves in a painting. Trying to find the connection between stories and ourselves is a quintessential example of empathy and how to practice it. We connect with other humans in stories, which in turn makes us human. The next time you feel like you’re having a hard time putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, try reading a story. Try to understand hardships, assess how you would react to the situation.

Storytelling is essential to all cultures in all of its forms. For instance, calligraphy is not just a way of writing, but it is an admired art. In Japan, sosho, or grass hand style, is often used for artistic calligraphy as well as poetic script. Japan learned calligraphy from China over one thousand years ago, showing cross-cultural interaction and the universal connection of storytelling. Often times in history, cultures will exchange practices with each other and, in turn, can then tell their own story through educating others. On that same note, Japan is also known for its performing arts, specifically its Kabuki dance drama. While some cultures are more known for certain methods than others, such as with British literature and Italian sculpture, every culture participates in the aspect of storytelling through the arts.

Stories have been conveyed through three main mediums: visual art, performance, and writing.

Performers tell stories through movement and voice, conveying conflict through expression.

Artists tell stories through paintings, sculptures, and other visual forms of media, conveying scenery through color and light.

Writers tell stories through words, conveying plot and characters through attention to detail.

Of course, these overlap; performers can breathe life into characters, and writers can go on for pages about gorgeous scenery. Picture books and graphic novels blend both writing and visuals.

There’s something to be said about how we use materials, how we thread words together, or how we move our bodies and faces to convey a complete piece. We take the opportunity to build upon our stories, such as with musicals, which uses song to embellish and better convey the story. I sometimes wonder who wrote the first play or who picked up the first brush—who had the stroke of genius to use mundane language to create unordinary worlds that pique our curiosity or ordinary worlds that we can all relate to and enjoy. If you take a step back to consider the time and effort artists put into creating, it’s just fascinating.

How can we let the arts suffer when they have had such an important impact on humanity? The art of the past outlives the test of time and is incorporated into today’s world.

Consider all the stories told through Grecian sculpture and artwork: about the Greek gods and goddesses, the Olympics, the Trojan War. Historians’ information about Ancient Greece heavily relies on artifacts that depict pictures of such figures and events. Greek myths reflect humanity’s wants and desires from an objective standpoint. Even the gods and goddesses are prone to show human mercy, such as in Orpheus and Eurydice, where Hades lets Orpheus take Eurydice back to the living world. However, we also see the weakness in Orpheus, where he disobeys Hades and looks back at Eurydice, who is then doomed to the Underworld forever. This myth has influenced poetry (H.D’s “Eurydice”) and even musicals (Hadestown) because of its human themes, and the weaknesses we possess, which give us a moral to consider.

Another example is of African artwork and patterning, which is now considered a trend in fashion. However, African sculpture and masks also influenced Cubism, Fauvism, and Expressionism from well-known artists, such as Picasso and Matisse. For example, in Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, the angular faces are inspired by African masks. Its fractured and warped space lends itself to the same influence. Matisse used bold colors and forms as inspired by African art. A more modern usage of traditional African art is in the hit Marvel movie Black Panther. Costume designer Ruth E. Carter said she “was able to touch people with the artistry of Africa.” One of the standout costumes is with the Dora Milaje, the female warriors of Wakanda. Carter took inspiration from African tradition to create the texture of their uniforms. In an interview with Vulture, she said: “All of the line work you see on the body and on the arms, it speaks to that sacred geometry that you see all over Africa.”

The writings of Shakespeare help us understand modern vocabulary and serve old tales remodeled into drama. Shakespeare inspired many other playwrights and artists, reworking his material into adaptations. This is because his themes about humanity are immortal. Even though Shakespeare wrote during the 16th century, the themes of his plays speak about modern humanity. Take Hamlet. The story tells of death, revenge, deceit, and mortality, all of which remain aspects of humanity five centuries later. Adaptations translate this play through a different story or time period or staging, but the themes remain intact. For instance, the play Bernhardt/Hamlet tells of Sarah Bernhardt, a French actress who played the title role. This work uses the same theme of gender, as the principal women (Gertrude and Ophelia/Sarah) are viewed under a feminist lens. They are criticized by the men around them for grappling with the challenges in their life—death, madness, or a challenging role. Shakespeare is still taught in classes because of these themes that are forever entrenched and telling of life as we know it.

Now more than ever, the arts are skidding into the political, or at least helping with the current political climate. People attend shows as a means of escapism as well as poetry slams as a means of non-threatening rebellion. Theaters and studios are a safe space where we can forget about the cruel world or do little things to shout back at it. The arts serve as a form of peaceful protest against hate. Police may have an issue with protests in front of buildings, but there’s nothing they can do against an adaptation of Julius Caesar with undertones criticizing the Trump administration. Furthermore, partaking in the arts to revolutionize motivates others to create art that opens minds. Take Banksy, who is now a cultural icon. His work provides social commentary through pop culture, and it is adored by many for its boldness. The “Banksy Effect” helped create an appreciation for street art, which is often used for making political statements.

Creating against hate is one of the best methods to let your voice be heard against the evils of the world, and it can help others change their minds through your words, artwork, or performance.

Contemporary arts can even reflect historical art, and it can perhaps have us better understand the changes made to our performances. The power of storytelling links the past and the present as well as the span of humanity. Art preserves history and reminds us of our humanity, though not our mortality, because our stories outlast the test of time. Performers, painters, and writers all contribute to telling the story of our lives, doing humanity an impossible favor. New stories of progress are being crafted and told every day. While new gadgets may come and go, the arts remain immortal. If you have your mind set on literature, visual arts, or theater, don’t let anything hold you back. You have the power to create and innovate. You’re going to be the storytellers of the future.