Why National Arts Month is a Celebration Worth Embracing?
By Shaina Intia
January 16, 2024
National Arts Month is not just another event; it is a meaningful celebration deeply connected to the Filipino community and the creators of countless inspiring artworks and crafts since its inception. This year, under the theme "Ani ng Sining, Bayang Malikhain," National Arts Month aims to channel the creative energies of artists for nation-building and to integrate the arts into the lives of diverse populations. Here are five compelling reasons this celebration is worth embracing:
1. Harvesting Creativity for Nation-Building
National Arts Month serves as an influential platform to harness the collective creativity of artists, recognizing their pivotal role in the journey toward nation-building. By celebrating the artistic contributions of individuals and communities, we emphasize the vital role of creativity in shaping the identity and progress of the country.
So, why should you actively engage in this celebration?
National Arts Month is an opportunity to witness and be a part of the dynamic forces shaping the very essence of our nation. It is a celebration where creativity is not just admired but actively cultivated for a future where imagination is the cornerstone of progress.
2. Fostering Inclusivity: Bringing the Arts to Every Corner of Society
This celebration goes beyond the mainstream; it transcends conventional boundaries, ensuring that the arts become an integral part of the lives of diverse populations. From the LGBTQIA+ community to persons with disabilities (PWD), Indigenous Peoples (IP), youth, seniors, and beyond, this celebration emphasizes that artistic expression is a universal language that brings people together — an inclusive space where the voices and perspectives of every individual, regardless of background, are not only heard but also celebrated.
So, why should you actively engage in this celebration?
National Arts Month is about building bridges, breaking down barriers, and creating a cultural bond where everyone's story is an essential thread. It's an invitation to embrace the beauty that arises when diverse populations come together under the umbrella of artistic expression.
3. Elevating Awareness and Appreciation
Engaging in critical discourse is a key aspect of this celebration. Offering spaces for these conversations helps unveil the profound impact of creativity on our cultural landscape. This process provides people an understanding that extends beyond the act of creating art; it involves recognizing its role in reflecting societal values, sparking innovation, and fostering deeper connections among communities — a valuable opportunity to understand the steps and thoughts that go into creating them, which helps us see and understand the world in different ways.
So, why should you actively engage in this celebration?
National Arts Month is about shaping the narrative, questioning assumptions, and cultivating a society where the arts are not just appreciated but recognized as powerful agents of change and reflection. It's a call to embrace the transformative potential of art and its role in shaping a more enlightened and interconnected society.
4. Theme: "Ani ng Sining, Bayang Malikhain"
This year's theme encapsulates the idea that the bountiful harvest of a creative Filipino nation stems from the collective imagination of its people. "Bayang Malikhain" represents a society that places a high value on imagination, innovation, and artistic expression, considering them integral components of our identity and progress.
5. Celebrating Artistic Endeavors as Contributions
In the spirit of this celebration, artistic endeavors are acknowledged and celebrated as essential contributions to the nation's cultural richness. National Arts Month recognizes the transformative power of art and its ability to shape a society that values and thrives on creative expression.
So, why should you actively engage in this celebration?
By celebrating artistic endeavors during National Arts Month, we not only honor the creators but also acknowledge the vital role art plays in fostering a society that thrives on imagination, innovation, and the limitless possibilities of creative expression. We use this precious moment to actively celebrate our cultural heritage and the driving force behind the continuous evolution of "Bayang Malikhain."
Through National Arts Month, it invites us to celebrate not just artists but the heart of our shared creativity. The active engagement in this vibrant array of expressions contributes to a cultural legacy that enriches the essence of our nation. Let us embrace the arts, recognizing that in doing so, we embody the true meaning of Bayan na Malikhain.
