Artwork by 2nd grader, inspired by Cezanne

Although I won't play the role of armchair critic here (I will say that it isn't one of Clooney's best) it was fun to play "spot the artwork." From this perspective, there were some great ones.  The Ghent Altarpiece, a trove of Rodin bronzes, a Cezanne still life, and even some "degenerate" art (Picasso, Léger) were all prominently featured. 

In addition to trying to be a classic WWII picture, perhaps the best thing the film does is to make an argument that our artistic achievements are one of the true measures of the value of society. That erasing our artistic history and legacy negates our past and values. And that art is something worth fighting for.

This is why a visual arts education is so important. We must help future generations understand the critical role that art plays in our lives -- it chronicles our successes and failures, our hopes and aspirations, the beauty in the world and sometimes even the ugliness. When we tell stories about the great civilizations of the past, we tell those stories through the art and architecture that has survived the centuries. And when we teach art history, appreciation and practice in school we aren't only offering a bridge to the past, but also developing the ability of students to tell our stories in the future.

Art in Action will impact nearly 50,000 students this year with an outstanding visual arts education. Please join us in our fight to preserve, protect and nurture the love, understanding and application of art, that is as vital today as it was to the Monuments Men, by bringing our program to your school or making a donation to provide the program where it is most needed.