The arts are the one thing that appeal right across all forms of
The arts are the one thing that appeal right across all forms of politics, race, creed - everything.
When Andrew Lloyd Webber declared, “The arts are the one thing that appeal right across all forms of politics, race, creed – everything,” he gave voice to an eternal truth: that the arts are the bridge where all divisions fall away. In a world fractured by ideology, by color, by belief, music, drama, painting, and poetry rise above quarrels and remind us of our shared humanity. The arts speak a language older than law, deeper than doctrine, and stronger than prejudice.
The ancients themselves bore witness to this unifying power. In Athens, citizens who clashed bitterly in the Assembly would sit side by side in the theater of Dionysus, weeping and laughing together at the tragedies of Sophocles. In Rome, mosaics and statues adorned homes of patricians and plebeians alike, binding them through beauty even when politics tore them apart. Webber’s insight rests on this timeless truth: that the arts reach where politics cannot, touching the heart directly.
History confirms it in luminous ways. During the Cold War, when the world was divided into hostile camps, a simple act of music—the American pianist Van Cliburn playing Tchaikovsky in Moscow—softened hearts on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Where speeches failed, music triumphed, showing that race, creed, and politics cannot silence the universal appeal of beauty. Likewise, in South Africa under apartheid, song and performance became weapons of hope, binding communities together in defiance of oppression.
The arts endure because they arise from the deepest part of the human spirit. A song does not ask who you voted for, a painting does not inquire about your faith, a story does not demand your passport. They invite all who encounter them into a shared experience of wonder, grief, joy, or longing. This is why Webber, a creator of musicals that crossed oceans and languages, could proclaim that the arts unite across all barriers.
Thus, let this wisdom endure: when the world is divided by politics, race, and creed, let the arts remind us of what we share. For while laws may exclude and doctrines may divide, a melody, a story, or a vision of beauty calls to the soul of every human being. And in that call lies the promise that beneath all differences, we are one. The arts are not a luxury, but the very thread that binds civilization together.
LDQuoc Cuong Le Doan
I find Webber’s view that the arts transcend all divides both optimistic and realistic. The arts have historically been a powerful vehicle for social change, from protest songs to visual art movements. But can the arts truly unite us in the face of deeply entrenched political and social divisions? How can artists use their platform to bridge gaps between different groups without oversimplifying complex issues?
TTThai Thanh Tai
The universality of the arts, as Webber suggests, offers a powerful vision for a more connected world. But does the idea of art appealing across all divides oversimplify the complexities of cultural identity and political expression? Can art ever be truly apolitical, or is it always embedded within the context in which it’s created? How do we ensure that art remains a tool for unity without sacrificing diversity of thought and expression?
TTBao Linh Tran Thi
Webber’s quote suggests that art can bring people together across all divides, but how does the commercialization of art play into this? Is it possible for art to remain free from the influence of political or economic forces when it’s being created for profit? Can we truly separate the artistic experience from the political and social realities in which it’s produced? How can we keep art genuine while still making it accessible to all?
EEmma
The idea that the arts are universally appealing is powerful, but does it mean that art should always aim for mass appeal, or can it still serve niche communities? If art transcends race, creed, and politics, how do we deal with the fact that certain art forms may unintentionally reinforce stereotypes or marginalize some groups? Can art maintain its authenticity while trying to appeal to a broad, diverse audience?
NTMy Chau 8A Nguyen Thi
While I agree with Webber that the arts have a unique ability to transcend boundaries, can they really appeal universally in every context? Is there a risk that art is still often perceived through the lens of particular political or cultural frameworks? For example, can certain art forms be exclusionary depending on who is creating them and who is consuming them? How do we ensure the arts remain truly inclusive?