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art gallery A painting by an artist, music performed by a pianist, a piece of poetry, or a gourmet dish presented by a famous chef are all included in a branch of culture called "the arts."  The arts have contributed to human enjoyment since the dawn of recorded history.

Art is defined as the use of skill and imagination to create aesthetical objects, experiences, or environments which other people can share.  While the term "art" usually refers to visual art, the arts, in a cultural sense, include several modes of expression such as visual arts, performing arts, language arts, and culinary arts.  They may be further divided into areas such as architecture and design, painting and drawing, and still photography and video, as well as language and literature, and music and dance.

  • Visual art can be seen.  Whether it is fine art, interior design, photography, crafts, or architecture, the end product can be viewed.  Much of it is for personal enjoyment, but art may be displayed at museums or art galleries for viewing by the general public.

  • Performing art is performed by an artist.  It usually includes the arts of music, dance, or drama, and may involve attendance at concerts, dances, plays, or the opera.

  • Culinary arts are related to cooking and kitchens.  Skillfully preparing and presenting food is a large part of culinary art.

  • Language arts involve the skill of reading, speaking, dramatics, spelling, and composition.  People read to gather information and knowledge, or for personal enjoyment, while the art of composition may be used to write literary works or essays.

Arts councils are non-profit organizations which strive to promote the arts through various means, and there are also various groups that seek to promote particular branches of the arts.  In the United States, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is the national arts council.  The NEA co-ordinates its activities with the various state and local arts councils.

Here you can learn about the arts and find information resources about the fine arts, digital photography, and arts and crafts.  You can also find U.S. colleges and universities which teach arts and sciences as well as suppliers of graphic arts products and musical instruments.

Visual Arts

The visual arts involve any type of art that can be seen.  Visual art thus includes fine art, photography, and architectural design, as well as interior design, fashion design, and decorative arts and crafts.  Fine art may include paintings, drawings, sculpture, and even computer art.  Photography is the art produced from the photographer's view through the lens of a camera.  Architectural and interior design arts produce plans of structures and their interior layout, perhaps with the assistance of CAD software.  Architects and interior designers often incorporate current technologies, integrate cutting-edge materials, and consider cultural issues in their designs.  Fashion design includes not only drawing apparel design concepts, but also designing textiles and constructing them into attractive looking clothing and accessories.  Decorative arts and crafts are often visual art that is handmade with a decorative or functional purpose.  These may include fiber art, ceramic or glass art, and art from metal fabrication.

Oftentimes, an artist or art patron will exhibit his or her art collection to the public at an art gallery.  The Gallery Guide lists art galleries and their calendar of art exhibitions and events.  You may enjoy famous art collections and exhibitions in museums like the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago Museum in Chicago, or the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

Browsing through any museum of art provides a feast for the eyes.  Paintings, sculptures, and other works made from a variety of materials fill the galleries.  As we study a piece of artwork, we can try to interpret what the artist was trying to visually express.

Visual art may be self-taught or require training at a qualified college or university, depending on the level of professional certifications or licenses required.  Careers as a visual artist range from the painter with a personal studio to an architect working for a major architectural firm.  The United States Department of Education features an online index of visual arts learning resources from a variety of government and academic sources.

The following websites deal with visual arts subjects and products.

  • CAD Software
    Autocad software from Autodesk and TurboCAD software from IMSI.
    www.CADSoftware.us

  • Camera Shops
    Digital cameras, SLR cameras, camcorders, and photographic equipment.
    www.CameraShops.us

  • Digital Camcorders
    Camcorders, digital video cameras, and camcorder accessories.
    www.DigitalCamcorders.us

  • Easels
    Artist supplies, art easels, drafting supplies, and drafting tables.
    www.Easels.us

  • Embroidery Machines
    Embroidery designs, patterns, machines, and software.
    www.EmbroideryMachines.us

  • Fine Art Prints
    Fine art prints, custom framed art, and art reproductions.
    www.FineArtPrints.us

  • Large Format Printers
    Large format printers for technical and graphics professionals.
    www.LargeFormatPrinters.us

  • Photo Printers
    Quality photo printers for personal and professional use.
    www.PhotoPrinters.us

  • Royalty Free Photos
    Royalty free and rights protected photos and clip art.
    www.RoyaltyFreePhotos.us

  • Sewing Machines
    Sewing machines, patterns, fabric, and accessories.
    www.SewingMachines.us

  • Video Projectors
    Digital projectors, video projection equipment, and home theater.
    www.VideoProjectors.us

Performing Arts

The performing arts include music, theater, and dance.  The art of music is all about sound.  Its elements include rhythm, pitch, and dynamics, as well as texture and timbre.  Music, as an art, involves musical performances as well as music education and composition.  Musical compositions and performances may be intended for ceremonial or religious purposes, or for entertainment and personal enjoyment.  The art of theater involves actors who perform and play out stories in front of audiences.  Theatrical performances may include dialogue, dance, and sound.  Dramatic plays, ballet performances, and operas are all examples of the performing arts.  The Department of Education features music and dramatic arts learning resources from a variety of sources.

Musical instruments, used in many artistic performances, are devices which produce musical sounds.  The primary types of musical instruments, based on how they produce sound, are percussion instruments, stringed instruments, and wind instruments.  Many types of musical instruments are used in various cultures throughout the world, but guitars and music keyboards are the most popular musical instruments in the United States.

  • Acoustic Guitars
    Acoustic guitars, acoustic bass guitars, and guitar packages.
    www.AcousticGuitars.us

  • Bass Guitars
    Bass guitars, electric bass guitars, and guitar gear.
    www.BassGuitars.us

  • Guitar Amplifiers
    Guitar amps, reverbs, digital effects, pro audio, and electric guitars.
    www.GuitarAmplifiers.us

  • Music Keyboards
    Musical keyboards, digital pianos, music synthesizers, and organs.
    www.MusicKeyboards.us

Culinary Arts

Culinary art involves the arts of cooking and baking as well as related aspects of food preparation and presentation.  Culinary artists are frequently chefs and cooks who prepare food for restaurants and catering services.  They strive to present food artistically, so that it is pleasing both to look at and to taste.  Consumers increasingly want delicious, attractive foods that have high nutritional standards.  Other culinary arts professionals include food writers and critics, food photographers and stylists, and those who work in test kitchens doing nutritional research as well as menu and recipe development.  The Culinary Institute of America offers training in the culinary arts and the baking and pastry arts.  For home chefs and bakers, our Cake Decorating and Chocolate Chip Cookies websites feature tips and suggestions about decorating cakes and baking cookies.
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