The Arts As An Artist

As an artist or someone that enjoys a certain art how important do you feel the arts are to the well being of society and the individual?
Self-expression aside do you feel the the body of knowledge that literature, music, performance, and visual arts represent are necessary for the development of individuals?
Also has you enjoyment of your art form of choice cause you to learn more about others? Or take academic interest in the arts? Do you eel that as an artist it's important that you gain some skill and understanding of all arts and understand the history and theory of your art form? Do you strive for mastery of your art form? Or do you reject all that is proper and simply try to do your own thing?