While martial arts are considered an art, the traditional structure allows little room for creativity. It's not to say that traditional structure does not have it's advantages. However, I believe structure to be overemphasized in the martial arts. Both structure and freedom have to be combined in harmony. Too much structure inhibits creativity.
Structure locks the mind into a limited way of thinking which inhibits the free flow of new ideas.
Originally, martial arts arrived at their current level through creativity. Without creativity, combat today would be limited to only punching. These individuals did not fear to expand upon what combat may ultimately be. Creativity can only be obtained through freedom of the mind. Freedom allows the mind to express its colors beyond black and white thinking.