How Julie Andrews & Her Daughter Are Trying to Save the Arts
If there’s one person in the world who can save the arts, it’s Julie Andrews. In a new op-ed for CNN, the beloved star and daughter, actress Emma Walton Hamilton, share the benefits art brings to not only the public, but in culture overall.
“What if there was one activity that could guarantee your kids would do better in school and cope well with life’s challenges?” the start. “And what if this same activity helped them grow up to be lifelong learners, have more success in their chosen career, earn a higher salary and have more fulfilling relationships? What if it even made them more likely to volunteer, be philanthropic, vote — and ultimately, live longer, healthier, happier lives?”
The arts, of course!
They continue to say that writing, fine art, theatre, and other sources of creative outlets improve graduation rates, grades, and encourage diversity and empathy in life.
“The arts are fundamental to our common humanity,” they continue. “Every time we attend the theater, a museum or a concert, we are literally feeding our souls, and investing in and preserving our collective future.”
Recently, Donald Trump revealed his budget proposal, which proposes massive cuts towards many programs — including the National Endowment for the Arts, which consistently prove to be an enormous success across America.
“We feel it has never been more critical to advocate for and support the arts — not just in our schools, but in our communities and our lives,” they said. “We therefore respectfully request that every member of our society — individuals, educators, administrators, business leaders — do everything possible to preserve and advance this most precious and essential resource, and demand that our elected representatives do the same.”