FINE ARTS PROGRAMS

The fine arts are made up of the main classical branches of art: painting, architecture, and sculpture. Additional subdivisions included in the definition of fine arts include literature, music, performing arts, and film.

What are the seven fine arts?

The seven arts refers to the traditional subdivision of the arts: architecture, sculpture, painting, literature, music, performance, and film.

Fine art is any creative art that is appreciated for its aesthetic, imaginative, or intellectual value. This creative art can include sculpture, architecture, drawing, photography, literature, poetry, digital art, interactive media, literature review, film making, and video production. Students who are more interested in music or performing arts may find that their art education leans toward music education, symphony, marching band, drama club, or dance team.

What are the three types of art?

The three classical branches of art are painting, sculpture, and architecture.

Performing Arts

Music, theatre, film, dance, and other performing arts, as well as literature and other media such as interactive media, are included in a broader definition of the arts. Performing arts encompasses performance in front of an audience. Artists use their bodies, voices, and objects to convey expression and story.

Fine Arts Standards

The National Music Standards developed by the National Association for Music Education involve a student’s understanding of four artistic processes:

Creating
Performing
Responding
Connecting

The National Art Standards or National Standards for Arts Education involved several organizations including the U.S. Department of Education. The standards lay out what every American student studying the arts should know and do including:

Communicate at a basic level in dance, theatre, music, and visual arts
Develop proficiency in at least one art form
Present and develop a basic analysis of works of art
Understand works of art from various cultures and throughout historica periods
Relate knowledge and skills across the arts

Why is art important?

Studies show that music education and art education in schools can positively impact students’ intellectual development by aiding learning throughout all other academic areas. The relationship between arts education and other academic subjects can benefit all children. It engages multiple areas of the brain by exercising fine motor skills, enhancing creativity, improving emotional balance, and expanding social skills.

Benefits to students involved in fine arts:

Art challenges and affects students in different ways and at various skill levels by introducing new and exciting methods of learning.
Fine Arts programs are continually changing, providing an exciting and dynamic experience for each student to explore.
The Arts advances students’ self-esteem and self-expression, making them self-motivated learners.
A 2010 study in Missouri found that art education leads to higher attendance, test scores, and graduation rates.
An Arts Education Partnership study in 2002 revealed that fine arts exposure could improve students’ proficiency in reading, writing, and math.