Art may very well be a universal language. By that I mean, art may help the individual unpack their private felt experience. Aren't we "at a loss for words" when we are struck by overwhelming beauty (and terror)? Doesn't something similar happen when we see incredible works of art? Doesn't a painting "say a thousand words"? Doesn't a song "take our breath away" and render us "speechless"? Well, this is probably because art - more than language; better than language - conveys meaningful information. We NEED art in our lives, or our ability to make sense of ourselves and our world is critically threatened. We've become the blind leading the blind for no other reason than because we forgot how to light our candle. Art is the spark. What comes from engaging with art is nothing less than discovery itself. And don't tell me, Mr Ford, that fostering discovery within our children isn't important.

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