Four Reasons Business Students Should Study the Arts

The fine and liberal arts may seem worlds away from corporate headquarters, boardrooms, and product development labs, but students with business savvy and an appreciation of the arts have a valuable combination of skills, talent, and insight. And just because you studied art history or photography doesn't mean you don't have what it takes to be a leader in the corporate world, and your penchant for the arts could have many other benefits as well. Read on to find out why you should continue to study the arts while in business school.

1. You'll be more creative and innovative

Everyone assumes that people pursue the arts because they're creative, but there's significant research that shows that practicing the arts can help you become more creative and innovative. These are two skills that are in high demand in the business world, and many corporations are turning to art classes to help their employees tap into their inner artist. In Japan, businesses send executives and project managers to finger painting courses to help spark their imagination and get them thinking outside of the box. Finger painting isn't the only way to spark your creativity. Practicing fine and liberal arts strengthens the communication and connections between both sides of your brain, so listening to music, composing a poem, dancing, or even learning a new language can help you maximize your creative potential.

2. You'll gain knowledge and insight

In recent years, there has been a lot of academic emphasis on the hard sciences and technology because these subjects are in high demand in the business and manufacturing sectors. But while these studies provide the necessary skills to research and develop the products and solutions of the future, they can lack the insight and analytical skills honed by a fine or liberal arts background. It's said that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, and while business without the arts may not be as dire as all that, students of literature, art, history, and anthropology often possess valuable insight into the way that people think or the underlying patterns in human behavior. Modern corporations need to combine the skills of both scientists and artists in order to remain competitive, innovative, and forward-thinking, especially if studying for an MBA in Business.

3. You'll impress employers

This is one reason why fine and liberal arts students are increasingly in demand in the business world. Employers are looking for employees who will see connections and read between the lines, or who will be able to turn a problem around and consider it from another angle. But they're also searching for candidates with excellent communication skills. Liberal arts studies require students to perfect their written and spoken communication, and courses like history, literature, anthropology, and sociology often include extensive research training. These skills make liberal arts students a valuable resource for the business world, where leadership, confidence, and vision are not always synonymous with eloquence, discernment, and foresight.

4. You'll be more relaxed

Even if you never apply your fine or liberal arts training to your business career, there are still many good reasons to make them a regular part of your life. Creative activities can help you feel better about yourself, they can protect against dementia, and can make you healthier both physically and mentally. The arts are especially good for relieving stress, and the business world can be stressful, hectic, and unrelenting. The recent popularity of adult coloring books is buoyed by the understanding that creative activities help people to relax and unwind. But it doesn't matter whether you spend an hour writing a novel you'll never publish, running through etudes on the violin, or painting pottery – if you're doing something creative, you'll be improving your quality of life.