A team of social scientists confirmed what we already know in our hearts to be true: the arts are necessary. Researchers from University of Arkansas worked with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art to determine that the 11,000 students recently exposed to art at the institution, later displayed “higher levels of engagement with the arts” and “greater tolerance, historical empathy, as well as better educational memory and critical thinking skills.”

Learn more, here and here and arm yourself with data just in case you run into a naysayer.