Voices is the Dorset Echo's weekly youth page - written for young people by young people.

THE arts have a significant role in our lives. In how we communicate, express our emotions and how greater understanding is portrayed.

For example, poetry can come in many forms and adaptations. Some are meaningful but do not affect our lives in any way, while others participate a significant role in someone's life.

A song is a form of art, which can annoyingly get stuck in your head. You will probably disregard it, and hope for it to disappear. However, every lyric has meaning. The writer is conveying a message, which might not be obvious, but will have significance to many people's lives in various ways.

Additionally, a film or performance is not just done for fun. People do not go through the stress of deadlines, and the effort of acting just to pass time. Every performance has a meaning – and there is never only one.

Literature permits people to express their emotions and thoughts to be presented to society, and society can listen to it to understand a meaning which is crafted to their emotions. Another person will view it in a different light.

The arts are unappreciated and disregarded like that song that people don’t want in their heads.

Our libraries, galleries and theatres are honourable establishments, and they must continue to be cherished.

By James Sullivan, Thomas Hardye School