Dec 2, 2025
Why the Arts Matter: Voices from Our Community
Wharton Center’s vision is clear: a stronger community through the arts and human connection.
The arts ignite creativity, drive innovation, and cultivate lasting memories. Wharton Center is a catalyst for these values, but the true power of the arts is not defined by us alone; it lives in experiences, memories and transformations felt by our community and patrons.
It’s the season of reflection, and we asked community members, patrons, donors, students, and supporters about what the arts mean to them. Through their words, you’ll see how the performing arts change lives.
The arts bring people together in a way few other things can. They create shared experiences moments where people laugh, cry, or even learn something. They spark conversations, build empathy, and give communities a chance to celebrate creativity and culture. Whether it’s a local play, a choir performance, or a traveling Broadway show, the arts remind us that we’re connected. They help communities express who they are and what they value. Without the arts we’d lose so many of the ways we express emotion, history, and imagination. Plays, music, visuals, all of it teaches us something about being human. Without them, we’d miss out on stories that challenge us, inspire us, or simply make life more beautiful. Honestly, we’d lose one of the most meaningful ways we connect with one another.
-Rocky I-M., Wharton Supporter
The arts allow me an opportunity to support something that I truly believe in.
-Michael F., Wharton Supporter
The arts have always been a huge part of my life. From seeing my first Broadway touring show at six to performing in my first musical, and even painting or drawing, art has always given me some of the best feelings. Theatre especially shaped both my confidence and my empathy in so many ways. The arts community often felt like a safe space to express myself, and I honestly can’t imagine where I would be without it.
-Kara K., MSU Student
The arts provide perspective; they can educate and open conversations.
-Todd M., Wharton Supporter
The arts invite us into the sacred space of becoming. They don’t just reflect who we are, they shape who we are becoming. For those of us who’ve ever questioned our belonging, who’ve shrunk in the shadow of imposter syndrome or moved through life with quiet strength, the arts become a lifeline, awakening dormant courage, cultivating unseen gifts, and calling forth the truest version of ourselves. That’s why the arts must never be treated as an exception. They must be the expectation in every school, every neighborhood, every community. Because becoming shouldn’t be a privilege, it should be a birthright. And the arts help us bloom into who we were always meant to be.
-Fonda B., Wharton Supporter
I choose to support the arts because I saw the enjoyment, the life in young people, and joy when other ways weren’t able to provide it.
- Richard S., Wharton Supporter
The arts are the one thing in the world that transcends all boundaries and barriers and speaks to the soul of a person. Some might argue that sports do the same, but with sports, you at least have to have a sense of rules and penalties to really understand what you're watching, to truly enjoy it. With the arts, it doesn't matter what language you speak, what culture you're from, whether you're rich or poor, old or young, male, female or non-binary...you can be able-bodied, or disabled, none of it matters. You can all look at the same piece of art, listen to the same symphony, watch the same ballet, attend the same theatrical performance, and all take something away from it. That to me is the most beautiful thing about the arts. The arts do not discriminate. There is something in it for everyone. What you see, what you take away from it, what you enjoy most about it, is as unique as you are. It's a beautiful thing. Case in point, I recently saw KURBASY. While I am Ukrainian, I am not fluent in Ukrainian. I understood a small fraction of the words being sung that night, maybe 10% of the total performance. I went there with my mother, who is far more fluent than I am (Ukrainian was her first language). There were even some words she didn't understand. Even though neither one of us understood 100% of what was being said, we still enjoyed the performance. The words were dripping with emotion, and the music was beautiful. We didn't have to understand what was being said to understand the performance and to enjoy it. How many other things in this universe can you say that about? That you couldn't understand a single thing that was happening but still enjoyed yourself? It was the same way when I saw a traditional Ukrainian opera and ballet in Kiev. I had no clue what was going on, but I was captivated by every note. The arts have that power, unlike anything else in this world.
-Sarah T., Wharton Supporter
As someone who isn’t naturally musically gifted, I’ve always admired those who are. I’ve had a deep love for music, theater, and the arts for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I took piano and violin lessons from fifth grade all the way through high school, and I played in my school’s Baroque chamber orchestra. Even though I was far from a prodigy—in fact, I was quite tone-deaf—I never stopped trying.
That perseverance shaped me. Sticking with something I wasn’t great at taught me resilience, patience, and the value of showing up even when it’s hard. I truly believe this mindset has helped me be successful in life. I often joke that if I were granted three wishes, one of them would absolutely be to become a masterful musician.
While I no longer play, my appreciation for the arts has only grown. I love attending performances of all kinds and make it a point to go to as many as my schedule allows. The arts continue to inspire me, challenge me, and bring joy into my life.
-Melissa N., Wharton Supporter
The arts energize empathy, helping us see each other - and even ourselves - more clearly.
-Raj W., Wharton Supporter
Wharton Center is a true treasure in our community, and I’m inspired by their dedication to making the arts accessible for all.
-Amy P., Wharton Supporter
Arts have played a hug role in my life since I was little. Art in its many forms, especially theatre, has always been a hobby and passion of mine. A comfort and calm within the storm of life, a way to express myself, and a place where I found my community and people. Through art I have connected to large communities and deeper to the people around me. I have personally created programs in schools and organizations that use art as therapy, especially for teens. I continue through my education to learn about the connection between art and mental health, showing the true positive side effects art brings to our world and has brought to my life.
-Kayelyn K., MSU Student
Arts are an outlet for me where I can journey to new places and hear stories and songs that spark my imagination and exercise my emotions. I choose to support the arts because they are a valuable resource to the community, and I want to ensure they are available for all people.
-Rich W., Wharton Supporter
As we listen to these voices, one thing is abundantly clear: the arts matter. This giving season we invite you to be a part of the story as we raise funds to support arts education. Thanks to Scott and Stacey Schabel and Saltia and O’Neil Biscette, our first $12,500 raised will be matched dollar for dollar because they believe that when children experience the magic of live performance, it strengthens our community and inspires the next generation of creators, leaders, and dreamers. Make your gift today and learn more about how you can support Wharton Center and the arts through individual giving, becoming a community supporter, or volunteering.