What purpose does art serve in society?

Society sucks sometimes and art balances things. Kinda like adding sugar to a bitter tea.

Art is a creative outlet. To me it lets me know that we aren't robots. Everyone is capable of art. Art of any form is beautiful. Doesn't have to be beautiful to me, but to the artist themselves. That, to me, is beautiful in itself.

Expression.

Nothing. Art is useless. And the public treat artist with little value.

A small sliver of sunlight in an otherwise dark room.

Human experience and expression, and connection with others, through creativity. Art is a feeling, too. A timeless sense of understanding and awe at what I can only describe as "soulful" and "the closest experience to what is referred to as 'spirituality' "--that which cannot be explained in words but is clearly experienced and shared with people in vast and deep ways. Transcending time, regardless of demographic, labels, categories, human definitions, place, material presence and value, etc., to allow people of all varieties to experience soulful connections on the same existential plane as the artist who shared the work... Even those who are long dead can sing and whisper to us and show us we are not alone...

I was listening to a podcast about this very question, the guy raised some very great points:

Because the telling of human stories through art is what enables us to exercise our empathetic muscle. If you're watching a movie/TV show, sitting in the theatre, looking at an artwork, we are being told a story about other human people, quite often different from us and we begin to understand and see their point of view and widen our horizons.

Art captures stories, ideas, topics and values of specific cultures of the time. It is also a form on individual expression that provides a bridge to human connection and solidarity. Through all of this it is also of historical significance to future generations.

To make stuff like this:

lol none..

It's the only thing I know that I am very passionate about art helps me cope with my depression and aniexty or when the world is just too much for me. I actually do become attached to cartoon characters because I feel like I can relate to them and not only do I think is it a form of expression but it can be a great influence and powerful way to capture concepts that words are unable to describe but I do not like all art it depends on how it's executed to me.