One of the most enterprising, important and impressive professions and areas of study is Art. The great impacts exerted by art on our lives as humans are very severe, so scholars in the field seamlessly swap life with art and vice versa. This is so because from personal adornment to the improvement of our societies and the development of our daily activities, it pivots on art. However, it is sad to realize how people rate and value art today. Art receives little patronage and recognition in the set of other disciplines. Students who wish to pursue the study of art due to their impressive talents in sculpture, graphics, leatherwork, basketry, ceramics, and other vibrant fields of art do not receive due sponsorship. These enterprising young artists end up shattering their great talents and resort to taking on small tasks such as cleaning, helping with construction sites, cleaning and trading. The situation is intensifying even in the developing countries of Africa. Art patronage is so low that students from affluent homes who would like to pursue art are discouraged by parents and even derided as shy students by their peers. The few who bravely take up the cross of art lack funding from funding agencies that prioritize sponsorship of so-called science and math! However, the multi-million dollar question we must ask ourselves is ‘Are the other disciplines better than art?
Some argue that health sciences, economics, mathematics, and geography are entrepreneurial because their industries are already established and those professions are well paid and, as such, highly respected. Also, they are persecuted by academic giants and gurus who got higher ratings. Although it is somehow true, these professions are not better than the arts. A retrospect to the time of the Renaissance underlines this statement.
Staunch scholars who were well versed theoretically and practically in various fields of human endeavor like science, mathematics, and engineering devoted themselves to art in the renaissance era. For example, Leonardo da Vinci, who was a leading figure in art, particularly painting and sculpture, was a scientist and an engineer at the same time. He calculated that art played a fundamental role in society that surpassed or equaled science and mathematics. Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Donatello and the other great artists of that time were brilliant scholars! Even today, great scholars and students who earn high marks study art. This clears up the misconception that art is pursued by academically weak people and as such receives little patronage and patronage.
Also, the art received great patronage in the renaissance period. The Medici family of Florence in Italy sponsored art programs, seminars, workshops, and competitions that searched for talent in art. The art projects received high patronage from government authorities, famous people, and wealthy businessmen in society. This great support aroused the patronage of art and its recognition was commonplace. The situation is different today. Art programs and workshops aimed at raising the standards of art receive little or no sponsorship from funding agencies, institutions, and wealthy and well-meaning individuals in society. This situation must stop if we want to make progress in our social, national and global development.
Art should be associated with respect and status in our societies due to the great impact it has on social events and activities like its counterparts in other disciplines. In fact, so-called successful fields of study such as architecture, engineering, mathematics, and health sciences rely on art in performing their duties.
The time has come for academics, governments, funding agencies, and well-meaning personalities in societies to support and fund arts, education, and other activities that help their development. The praise of art remains true today that ‘art is life’. The patronage of art is very necessary and must be taken seriously in order to facilitate and accelerate the training of young talents, curb the unemployment crisis of the many young and unemployed in societies to make our world a better place. Certainly life is art, and art is life!