Never Let Me Go 7- Art is Important???

"'Listen Tommy, your art, it is important. And not just because it's evidence. But for your own sake. You'll get a lot from it, just for yourself.'"
(pg. 108)

Could art really be important? I know in my life I've accepted art as something that I simply am just horrible at. Tommy also had done the same when Miss Lucy told him that it was fine not to be creative or good at art when he was younger. However, now that he is much older, Miss Lucy is beginning to tell Tommy that he needs to be better at art. The tone she creates is of utmost urgency that he correct this problem. One thing I am intrigued of in this quote is that she refers to the art as evidence. What could art be evidence of? I have a few ideas but mainly I'm guessing that the guardians are on the students' side trying to help them escape their horrible fate. The guardians, especially Miss Lucy, seem to be quite emotional and convey an upset and angry tone whenever they describe things that relate to the students' future after Hailsham. I believe Ishiguro is conveying that art is somehow the key to escaping such a future the students will face. Is it just a coincidence that all the people who seem to be emotional and sypathetic for the students at Hailsham are the same people who are telling them to do well at art becuase it will be for their own good? I'm curious to know what exactly the role of art plays in the story.