Why is art important?

A lot of people think that art is a convenient excuse to create immoral scenes.  Art is so much more than that though.  Through the ages certain artists (i.e. Micheal Angelo) have created art that actually fulfills the purpose of art.  Others (i.e. Picasso) have fallen woefully short of the goal. :)  Recently I heard a talk by John Stonestreet about art.  He told the audience that,

"Art defines what the world thinks is beautiful."

He says that those who want to go into art shouldn't be making fat, naked little cherubs but instead strong, fear-inspiring angels (like we see in the Bible).  Art gives us a chance to illustrate truth too.  Because art defines beauty anyone interested in art should practice and do their very best at it.