Science and art are treated as separate, opposing disciplines in today’s world. One is rooted in logic, while the other is based on creativity. Yet history paints a much richer picture of the intersection of science and art, from detailed anatomical drawings to groundbreaking architectural design. Despite this connection, educational institutions continue to elevate science while overlooking the value of the arts.

As a neuroscience major also playing clarinet with the Northeastern Wind Ensemble, I’m often praised for being “well-rounded.” During the college application process, I was told my musical background was desirable because it showed dedication and interest in something outside my intended major. And it’s true; for me, it’s a place where I’m challenged to explore my creativity. In contrast, my major, while offering a nurturing environment to pursue my passion of neurodegenerative disease treatment, doesn’t encourage the same level of creative expression.

But behind my equal love for both lies a daily disparity.

Northeastern recently completed construction on EXP, another STEM-focused building like ISEC. I constantly notice modern facilities, amenities, and equipment. It is clear that the school put thought, and money, into its development.

Wind Ensemble tells a different story.

Our folders are patched with layers of duct tape. Our practice rooms, small in number, sport aged carpet. And last semester, our director bought percussion instruments with his own money.

My observations reflect a broader trend in the American education system: science is prioritized, while the arts are underfunded. Current research in this field supports the sentiment that America places more faith in STEM for societal development through its separation from the arts.

What is misunderstood, however, is that art and science aren’t separate. They have an interconnected relationship that is essential for societal development.

Unfortunately, this fact isn’t recognized in our education system. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences gathered data on research and development (R&D) in America’s universities. From 2007 to 2019, the humanities suffered more contraction in federally funded R&D compared to STEM fields; it reduced from 25% by more than half. In 2019, R&D for academic humanities equaled 0.7% of the amount for STEM.

These trends extend beyond college. 2023 data from the U.S Department of Education showed associate degrees in STEM equated to higher median earnings for graduates in over half of four-year degrees like journalism. Some of the lowest-earning bachelor’s programs included music and studio arts programs.

This begs the question: if students like me are applauded for engaging in both science and art, why is there such a significant gap in support?Looking at advancements throughout our history highlights just how connected the two disciplines really are. For instance, art is used to convey scientific ideas. Leonardo Da Vinci dissected corpses for his intricate anatomical drawings, contributing to our understanding of the human body. He also drew comprehensive mechanisms for his hypothetical machines—primitive blueprints that foretold inventions to come.

Creative thinking is critical for solving scientific problems. Not only does art promote this type of thinking, but it also provides tools necessary for conceptualization and visualization. Charles Darwin derived his theory of evolution from his realistic illustrations of animal behavior. He believed appreciation for beauty, such as that in art, was shared by all species and drove partner sexual selection. Santiago Ramón y Cajal , a father of modern neuroscience, also relied on this connection, detailing his groundbreaking nervous system discoveries to the public by blending visual art with science.

These ideas aren’t isolated to antiquated scientific breakthroughs. In 2020, Maryland Institute College of Art student Alia Payne built an interactive 3D model of a jellyfish stinging cell to teach Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History visitors how dangerous a sting can be, and how it can be treated. Art helps audiences conceptualize and understand scientific concepts, sometimes to their direct benefit.

Science is a naturally creative discipline. But what about science in art?

... scientific inventions allow us to look differently at our environment and the issues we face. They influence not only art itself, but how artists convey their messages.

Chicago’s "Cloud Gate" , more commonly known as “The Bean,” was created by Anish Kapoor with a materials scientist. The smooth stainless steel reflects the environment in an illusory, continuous way, with the shape based on liquid mercury. The piece invites viewers to interact with the movement of their surroundings, and their own reflections, through different perspectives.

Sometimes scientific inventions influence new art forms. The first photographic process, the Daguerreotype, was invented in 1837 by Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre , using silver-coated copper plates to engrave images onto paper. Later improvements offset the time and cost of hiring a professional artist, making realism artwork nearly obsolete.Artists both embraced and rejected the camera, leading to new methods of artistic expression. For example, the Impressionist and Modernist movements were a response to the realism deviation. Artists, such as impressionist Claude Monet and cubist Pablo Picasso, accepted photography’s superiority in capturing realism and instead focused on capturing the human experience: emotions, movements, perspectives, and more.

Other artists embraced photography, leading to a new art form: fine-art photography. Photographers use composition, interpretation and narrative to convey a message. American photographer Diane Arbus used subject directed black-and-white photos to depict marginalized groups. She captured an unsettling yet sympathetic view of the unique conditions of transgender people, individuals suffering from mental health disorders, and others.The invention of the camera demonstrates that scientific inventions allow us to look differently at our environment and the issues we face. They influence not only art itself, but how artists convey their messages.

Science even has a role in my own music practice. I learned about the clarinet’s overtone series — sequences of unique sine waves each pitch has— to understand how to improve my tone. When faced with difficult passages, I apply a mini scientific method: identify the problem, hypothesize how to fix it, and experiment with techniques to find the most effective one. My blend of science and art guides musical interpretations I want to convey to my audience.

Art promotes creative thinking, making abstract scientific ideas tangible. Comparatively, science promotes more thoughtful and impactful art, persuading audiences to think deeper about the human experience, societal problems, and moral questions. 

So how do we convince the American education system to embrace this relationship?

It starts with a mindset shift towards the arts. Making the arts a more profitable and valued field will elevate the role of artists in our society. This involves fair wages, increased funding, and stable grants for artists. That would make artistic careers more viable, allowing artists to fully utilize their creative vision.

Ireland provides an example of such reform. In 2022, it launched the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot study , where 2,000 artists received €325 per week for three years. Artists reported reduced anxiety around living and increased time for their creative pursuits. Their self-efficacy and societal validation increased because their career felt valuable.

Education must also bridge the gap. Rather than separating art and science, curricula from kindergarten through high school should highlight their relationship. Arts programs should receive funding proportional to science programs, ensuring equal exposure for students. This gives them greater potential to pursue interdisciplinary paths.

Much like the current separation between science and art, American society is incredibly divided. By recognizing the importance of interdisciplinarity and connection across fields and ideas, we can realize more creative, holistic solutions to societal challenges.