In summary the arts, which are largely criticized based on a surface level understanding of their benefits, are a vital presence in our society and deserve to be treated as such through financial support and philanthropy. Fortunately there are many organizations that feel similarly, organizations like the Mellon Foundation, which continuously support cultural institutions, have the purpose of enriching communities with meaning and the power to think critically (Mission). The Mellon Foundation works with various artists, curators, scholars, and organizations in order to cultivate a society that values art and ensures access to cultural experiences (Arts and Culture).

In addition to the Mellon Foundation there are also organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts, a government agency that supports artistic work through grants and Americans for the Arts, a non-profit organization that does work within local communities as well as on a larger scale with policy makers (The National Endowment for the Arts, Americans for the Arts website citations). As shown in these past chapters, this support can make a real difference. The jobs and salaries that are provided in the arts, the increased academic performance that coincides with arts presence in the school system, and its role bringing communities closer together.

These are major results that impact society for the better. Despite the criticisms that arise surrounding the arts, art clearly enriches society in a multitude of ways. Things that we have covered in these chapters include some very tangible improvements that have come from the arts, such as the economic benefits or arts role as a supplement to academics. But it is important to remember that the arts place in society is not just to serve our economy, students, or infrastructure, it holds its own significance culturally and continues to bring meaning into the lives of many.