The arts: how and why are they important in our lives?

This step focuses on exploring, contextualising and explaining what the arts are and what purpose they play – and have played throughout time – in all of our lives.

In it you will hear the personal reflections of Elizabeth Ann who lives with a dementia, as she explains what she feels defines art.

You will also hear from Dr Hannah Zeilig (Senior Research Fellow at London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London) and Julian West as they discuss the poor consensus that surrounds the question of what art is, even at a time when the arts are all around us.

You may find it of interest to read Leo Tolstoy’s ‘What is Art’ (1898).