I have read many theological discussions and defenses of the arts, and I am always torn in my response to them. For one thing, it saddens me when we feel the need to justify art by making it serve some other non-artistic purpose like teaching morality. But also, many of these defenses of art (think of Christian justifications for fantasy) seem to be afflicted with excessive seriousness, even self-importance. Do I believe that art can be a catalyst for social change, a commentator on the human condition, a conveyer of truth, a powerful agent of transformation in people’s lives? Yes! But to have to go about our business as artists while wearing that heavy mantle of responsibility seems crippling to me.
– Jennifer Trafton in the very fine essay, “The Art of Play.”
I feel NO need to justify art in any way — it is a creation; an intimate expression by the artist. Sure, a good amount of the art (visual and music) began in a church setting, but there is no scriptural basis to require artists to focus their creativity toward that end specifically. I am a storyteller through my art. Don’t tell me what story I must tell.
My advice: discover your voice. As an artist, what is your message? Say your piece in your way. Be appropriate, but don’t compromise. Your creations will not make everybody happy every time, but you never know when your work will touch someone is the exact way needed at the exact time . . . maybe 100 years from now! Mozart had NO idea!
I integrate arts into my teaching at school AS A TOOL in all areas of curriculum — but they had to be pieces of art and music and dance to begin . . . arts can HELP teach, sure. But I am protective of my gift of creativity and expression.