After reading through both articles, I believe that art is not a waste of time. While the EAs have a point in saying art doesn’t immediately solve hunger or poverty, they are wrong in the fact that art can’t be used to help. After listening to the TED Talk on painting in poorer communities, it made me realize that there are useful ways that art can help those in need. Painting a mural in a “slummy” town, did so much more for the people there than expected. First of all, it brought the community together through painting, weekly barbecues, or just the common interest of beautifying the community. This process also gave many people skills required to paint and work on a team that they could further use in their lives in a job. Lastly but most importantly, it drew attention to the community in need but in a positive way. The news and press reported on the mural but looked at the community as a community instead of slums or the ghetto. This inspires people to try and be better by getting jobs or just contributing to the community in a positive way. It gives them a chance to be treated like everyone else, which is something that the EAs handouts don’t do