Do you think Art is essential or complimentary to society?

Question:

Do you think Art is essential or complimentary to society?

I personally think it's essential, but not as important as medicine for instance. But when you are evaluating a new culture, the first thing you do, is observe their art, their architecture(churches, mosques...), litterature, thinkers, etc.
For example, we know about the Egyptians because of their architectures, and wall paintings.
That's why I think Art is essential. It's a culture exporter.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Art is essential. It's just that we're influenced by parameters of the material world and values where success is measured by tangible and material things. If it wasn't like that, we wouldn't be having this dilemma in the first place. Art teaches us about the meaning of life and it's the most important quest for truth, hand in hand with science, of course.