Students should participate in and support the arts.
When people hear “Johns Hopkins,” they don’t usually think about art, dance, music or theater. What comes to mind tends to be our medical school, our great engineering programs or maybe the lacrosse team. No one really expects our student body to be filled with performers and artists.
And yet, according to the Hopkins Arts Program’s website, we have over 45 student groups in dance, music and theater. We have minors in Theater Arts and Studies and in Visual Arts. The Hopkins Symphony Orchestra puts on several shows a year and is made up of students and faculty.
The case to participate in the arts is a simple one. We all strive to be “well-rounded.” It’s why people major in Writing Seminars while being pre-med, or why people are chemical engineers with English minors. Participating in extracurricular activities gives us all one more thing to put on a resume, and it demonstrates to employers that we have skills that go beyond writing papers and taking tests.
Artistic endeavors specifically are a great way to balance out the harsh academics of Hopkins. Channeling stress into something creative can help change the way we think about our schoolwork. Whether your artistic process involves singing, dancing, acting, painting or any other creative act, Hopkins has a place for you.
A common complaint against participating in clubs at Hopkins is that we don’t have time. While we may not be able to work 20 hours a week, maintain a 4.0 GPA, volunteer at a local high school, sing in an a cappella group and perform in a musical all at the same time, we can do some of those things. It’s all about how we choose to spend our time. Maybe this semester you put in a few more hours a week at your job so next semester you can devote more time to your dance group.
Time commitments vary by group, but since most arts groups are completely student run, everyone is usually very accommodating to your schedule. We’re all Hopkins students, and we know how hard it can be to balance so many things on top of school work.
Even if scheduling can be a little stressful, in the end, participating in the arts is completely worth it. Nothing beats the feeling you get when you hear the thundering applause at the end of the show or when you see a smile light up someone’s face after they saw your painting. Arts programs and groups are rewarding in a way that not a lot of things are. You are recognized for all of your hard work, but you are also able to brighten someone’s day with something that you created.
Maybe you aren’t an artsy person. Maybe you can’t draw or sing or act or dance. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved behind the scenes. Maybe that isn’t your jam either, but you can, and should, still support the arts programs. Attend a cappella shows, ballet recitals, theater performances. Cheer on your friends and other people you’ve never met because they’ve put so much heart into what they love. A performance isn’t a performance without an audience.
Art has the unique capability to transport you to new places. Go to a musical and for two and a half hours you can forget about your long to-do list and embrace a world of song and dance. Go to a cultural dance show and learn something about a background different from yours.
Arts events rarely charge more than a few dollars, and they are almost criminally underfunded. Show your support for your friends and for your community, and maybe after you watch a few shows, you’ll be inspired to take the stage yourself.
Gillian Lelchuk is sophomore a Writing Seminars major from Seal Beach, Calif.
