Art is a necessary element of every community and can take many forms, 包括电影, 首歌, 跳舞, 绘画, 和更多的. All art forms are important and offer different perspectives and ideas. Historically, art not only brings together communities, but it also inspires positive change. “艺术,” according to Emily Cross of the University of Glasgow, “is often considered to be a society’s collective memory, preserving what fact-based historical records may not be able to—how it felt to exist in a particular time and in a particular space.” Art allows us to resonate with someone’s emotions in ways that may allow us to understand things more deeply. Art is culture and showcases the coming together of many cultures to make a community. 

一个社区可以有许多不同的文化, but it is the melting pot of these unique aspects that create the community. Acadiana, for example, is the melting pot of Cajun, Creole, African, French, and many more cultures. Together, they create art to express themselves and each is unique and beautiful. It is also believed  that art increases tolerance for differences in cultures and helps people empathize with people different from themselves. 当人们能感受到别人的情绪时, they automatically can empathize with them and even begin to understand their hardships. 根据全国农村健康联盟, communities that engage in various art forms are more likely to promote healthy lifestyles and be happier in general. Not only does art bring together communities; it also benefits individuals. A study by the University of London showed that observing art releases dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which causes the viewer to be happier and leads to a reduction of stress hormones. 在今天这个时代, 停下来欣赏艺术是很难的, 但它对心理健康是非常有益的. Children also benefit from observing and participating in art, especially 跳舞.

Not only is 跳舞 an artform, it is an incredible tool for overall human development, and it’s fun. It teaches children coordination, musicality, discipline, and creativity. Movement and exercise challenge the body while other parts of 跳舞 challenge the mind.  哈佛研究人员发现 这种舞蹈“有助于发展新的神经连接, 尤其是在涉及执行功能的区域, 长期记忆, 空间识别.“这些都是儿童发展的重要组成部分. Researchers have found that children as young as a few months old start to 跳舞 and people even in their 90s can still 跳舞. In addition to being fun, dancing can also have many health benefits for the elderly population. 根据《皇冠365官方app》, “dancing involves both a mental effort and social interaction and this type of stimulation helps reduce the risk of dementia.“总的来说, 跳舞 is a universal art form for all ages and has many benefits, 精神上和身体上. 

 尤其是芭蕾, teaches not only a classical art but also introduces an appreciation for classical music and instrumental music. I participate in the art of ballet and 跳舞 at an Acadiana nonprofit, 拉斐特芭蕾舞剧院(LBT). Every year, they host The Nutcracker and a spring performance. Ballet as an art form is the merging of art and athleticism. 这些动作很费力，需要敏捷性, while the execution must be artistic and appear effortless. Ballet also is theatrical but without the use of words. Every movement must tell a story with strictly your body and the connection to the music. In addition to that, the 跳舞r must also be on the very tips of her toes with pointe shoes. 根据PBT, “这是关于编织故事, 传达情感, and forging a profound connection with the audience through every graceful twirl and poetic leap,” which poses a challenge not only for the 跳舞r but also for the choreographer. The choreographer is the equivalent of the author while the 跳舞r must assume the role of the storyteller. Today, ballet is viewed as an art form of the past, but I believe that it is a timeless art form. 就像所有的艺术形式一样, 它被用来交流思想和情感, and it is exceedingly important that communities support and enjoy ballet for the unique perspective it offers. It allows true and genuine emotions to be conveyed in a way that sustains 跳舞rs and audience members alike.