Fascinating talk by sir Ken Robinson explaining how current school system favor other disciplines over arts and dance and how important it is to bring up more balance.
To date arts and dance were neglected and considered less important as they don’t give students tangible skills or a trade. When we hear people decide to go to arts school most ask them with polite smile: what are you going to to after that? how are you going to make living.

These are valid questions but what we seem to miss and where Ken Robinson makes a good case, is the fact that arts help us develop creativity. Stuff can be outsources or made for nothing but creativity will the thing which will help us realise our potential.

http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf

Now go buy crayons or drawing pencils, go to dance classes express yourself. See what are the effects.