In these downtrodden economic times, when companies start making cutbacks and most of the population begin to tighten their financial belts, it’s almost without question that the last thing on many American’s minds is wondering what’s showing at the museum of modern art or what’s playing at the local performance theater.

It continues then, that the next step is to determine what we consider in our lives to be unnecessary so we can cut out those things in order to maintain a healthy quality of life. What then do we lose from our lives? What do we consider superfluous? What can you live without? Perhaps a better question is what can’t you live without. There are the obvious requirements to sustaining life: food, water, shelter. Is there anything that comes to mind immediately you know you absolutely cannot live without? Your laptop? Your extensive collection of Russian nesting dolls? Your twice-weekly mani-pedis?

What about inspiration? Beauty of life and aestheticism? Enculturation by the power of experience? If your answer is “no, I cannot live without these things” then I have no argument with you. But if the answer is yes, then let me not mince words here.

You are a part of a culture; the most powerful culture in the world. To be a part of it is to contribute to it, thoughtfully or not. You determine your contribution by simply making choices. In turn these choices either work to benefit or decay the culture you helped create. It should appear obvious then that these decisions have more value than you may have previously believed. Now, before this starts to sound similar to a sermon, I’ll ask you: do you enjoy music? How about theater? What about visual art or dance, even literature?

I’m going to assume that at least one of these options plucked at your innermost and tender heart-strings, because if they did not, you are likely the most dreadful and soulless spirit walking miserably about this universe. Frankly, it makes me die a little inside to know there might be such a person out there, but then again it may not be entirely your fault. As luck would have it, here you are, reading these words that could be fueling the furnace of passion inside your seemingly lifeless exterior.

Moreover, you’ve also struck it rich because here at Grand Valley State University, the budget for the arts has not been squandered in lieu of economic shackling, and you may now revel in the variety of this year’s Fall Arts Celebration. Leave your self-hate and philistine ways behind you. Patronize the arts that surround you and make your life here at this campus as bountiful as it would be had you been born with any actual talent, excuse me, more than five senses.

Broaden yourself to things you might not otherwise have the chance to see, hear or do in your life. If you want to be greedy and get all these experiences for free then do it, because in a way you paid for it with your tuition. Also beyond college you will generally be expected to pay for art such as this.

What’s even more exceptional about the fall arts seasons is that later in winter when the weather strikes and you’re desperate for some relief from your foreign professor’s preposterous English, you can relax and remember that great new media exhibit you saw or the melody from a concert you took in.

At the very lowest of responsibility, you can at least make an effort to support your fellow students and faculty, as they have worked hard to simply entertain you.

The Fall Arts Celebration starts Sept. 13 with a concert of John Phillip Sousa’s “El Capitan,” with other performances and displays running until Dec. 6. Coupled with events marking GVSU’s 50th Anniversary, the merry-making will extend through the entire year. Check the arts calendar on the GVSU website under the events tab on the homepage for dates and times.

arts@lanthorn.com