The Power of the Arts: More Than Just Entertainment

"The arts are a very human way of making life more bearable." — Kurt Vonnegut

Hey, drama teachers! Want to get students thinking about why they’re in your class? Let’s start with this powerful idea from Vonnegut. Think about it: why do people turn to the arts in times of joy, sadness, or struggle? Art isn’t just entertainment; it’s a way to process emotions, to connect, to heal. To make life bearable.

Why Do We Create?

Ask your students: When was the last time you turned to a song, a book, or a movie to help you navigate a tough moment? The arts offer comfort, expression, and understanding. Whether it’s the catharsis of acting out a dramatic scene, the emotional release of painting on a blank canvas, or the resonance of lyrics that perfectly capture what we feel — art helps us cope.

The Arts as a Human Need

Ask your students: How has art helped you? Do you think it's a human need? Some may argue that art is essential, as it has been part of every culture throughout history. Others may see it as a luxury, something we enjoy but don’t need. Either way, it’s a great discussion starter!

The Arts and Connection

One of the most beautiful aspects of the arts is their ability to create shared experiences. A play can bring an audience together in laughter or tears. A song can unite people across cultures. A painting can speak volumes without words. How have you seen or experienced this in your own life?

Keep the Conversation Going

Encourage your students to reflect on these questions:

• How do the arts help people cope with challenges or difficult emotions? Can you think of a time when a form of art — music, theater, visual art, or literature — helped you process something in your own life?
• Vonnegut suggests that the arts make life "more bearable." Do you think art is essential to human life, or is it just entertainment? Why?
• In what ways do the arts connect people and create shared experiences? How have you seen or experienced this in your own life?

Let’s remind our students — and ourselves — why the arts matter. Let’s make drama (and all forms of art) purposeful, meaningful, and most importantly, human.