Philip Pullman has defended the study of the arts, saying “they’re of incalculable worth in what it means to be a human being”

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/aug/20/philip-pullman-barbarian-arts-education-english-baccalaureate

Also refer to an article written by myself and Claire Seeley about power of imagination in SCIENCE:

http://www.storyshack.org/uploads/1/3/8/4/13846925/primary_science_article_sept_2014.pdf