Why the Arts and Humanities Are Important

L.Wallace
Essay: Why the arts and humanities are important

The arts and humanities include disciplines such as history, design, religion, law, archaeology, English literature, modern languages and "those aspects of the social sciences which have humanistic content and employ humanistic methods." (Bennett, 1984). The arts and humanities are important in our world, as they can contribute to boosting a country’s economy, they can help humans to learn from past mistakes and to progress, and they can enrich people’s lives. “Research into these subjects is an investment that generates wealth, improves public policy and helps to maintain quality of life.” (Arts and Research Council, 2009, p. 2). Research in the arts and humanities is necessary if humans wish to expand their knowledge on all aspects relating to human experience and make sense of today’s world. With the many challenges that we face in today’s world, governments and organisations may need to think outside the square to come up with solutions to boost the economy, progress and help citizens to live a meaningful life. “Meeting these challenges requires innovative and creative ways of thinking and processes of knowledge generation, transfer and exchange that are distinctive of the arts and humanities.” (Arts and Research Council, 2009, p. 1).

Placing importance on the arts and humanities helps to boost economic growth through such industries as tourism. Archaeology, for example, is a major aspect in the tourism industry. Archaeological sites around the world have been transformed into national tourist attractions and smaller items such as archaeological artefacts are displayed in museums. These attract both local and overseas tourists who not only pay entrance fees to the museums and historical sites, but they spend money on such things as accommodation, dining, and transport. In turn, this generates income and helps to encourage economic growth. Focusing on Britain for example, tourism is now one of...