Did you eat your arts today?

October is Arts and Humanities month, and a chance to appreciate the talents of many Weber State students. October hosts a month long celebration of American culture coordinated by Americans for the Arts across the nation.

The goal of Arts and Humanities month is for communities to join together to showcase talent and demonstrate the importance of the arts in everyone's lives.

"National Arts and Humanities month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the positive impact that the arts bring to our schools, workplaces and communities," said Bob Lynch, the president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, in his 2008 online message.

Lynch said there are over 100,000 non-profit arts organizations in America, and, if they all participated in Arts and Humanities month, this would be the largest arts festival in the nation. Communities should have what Lynch calls "a creative conversation," where people have in-depth conversations about the arts.

Americans for the Arts goes as far as comparing art to nutrition. One slogan is, "Feed your kids the arts." While we know art helps improve brainpower, self-esteem and overall learning, for some people three servings of art is a strange way to look at it.

Americans for the Arts agenda seems almost political as they call citizens to action. It seems like everyone can get involved in some way. Americans for the Arts asks us to e-mail senators, contact Congress, even the President himself. Whether or not you feel the need to petition for more art funding, this month, each of us should take a closer look at how the arts have enriched our lives.

Arts and Humanities month has become the largest annual collaboration of the Arts, and the celebration extends to Ogden. During this month, many Weber State students will be highlighted in ongoing events. Each week there will be opportunities to see WSU students, faculty and individuals from the community perform on campus, and around Ogden.

The first week of October, alone, offers a faculty voice recital, titled "Urinetown," and a performance by the Weber State Symphony Orchestra.

While some of us may lack any real artistic talent, we can still join in the creative conversation. Many individuals are performers, but there are still openings for those who wish to applaud.