Science and art are absolutely connected, with the major thread connecting them being creativity.
Art, of course, is known to be a creative pursuit. But, innovative science also requires creativity. Another way to connect them is to see both science and art as trying to understand and convey the human experience ... one analytically and one viscerally.

Sci-art is useful in a myriad of ways. Interpreting scientific data in an artistic light can provide new insight on research not considered before. For scientists, just periodically stretching those creative muscles through artistic pursuits can open their minds to creative workflows. And finally, showing data in an artistic way can pique the interest of the general public. Art gets at people's emotions. Science is sometimes seen as cold and disconnected from the human experience, which can put people off from interacting with it. Art connects people to the subject matter... and we need more people to connect to and engage in science. A public that is passionate about scientific endeavors pushes us as a species to explore and discover and invent more.