Meaning and Importance of Art

• Art is a subject under humanities

• There is no one universal definition of art since it is subjective
• Subjective in the sense that people differ in their perception of an object or thing
• Meaning of art has changed throughout history due to multicultural settings
• Every time a new movement in art emerged, the meaning of what is art, or what is acceptable as art, is
being challenged
Some definitions of art
1. Art is derived from Latin word, “Ars,” meaning ability or skill (JV Estolas)
2. Art is taken from the Italian word “artis,” which means craftsmanship, skill, mastery of form,
inventiveness, and the associations that exist between form and ideas, between material
and technique (A. Tan)
3. Art is a product of man’s need to express himself (F. Zulueta)
4. Art is concerned itself with the communication of certain ideas and feelings by means of sensuous
medium, color, sound, bronze, marble, words and film (C. Sanchez)
5. Art is that which brings life in harmony with the world (Plato)
6. Art is an attitude of spirit, state of mind – one of which demands for its own satisfaction and fulfilling, a
shaping matter to new and more significant form (John Dewey)
7. Art is a lie that helps us to realize the truth (P. Picasso)
8. Art is the desire of man to express himself, to record the action of his personality in the world he lives in
(Amy Lowell)
9. Art is the realization in external form of a true idea and is traced back to that natural love of imitation
which characterizes human (Aristotle)
10. Art is the conscious creation of something beautiful or meaningful using skill and imagination
Four Common Essentials of Art
1. Art is man-made, not God-made
2. Art is creative, not imitative
3. Art benefits and satisfies man – when he uses art in practical life through artistic principles, taste
and skill
4. Art is expressed through a certain medium or material by which the artist communicates himself to his
fellows
Importance of the Arts
• Art highlights and heightens the importance of certain events in order to keep them memorable and
pleasurable
• Art enables us to get a glimpse of the thoughts, feelings and beliefs of the people in their time
• Art enables us to value and appreciate beautiful things as a consequence of our encounter with arts
• Art may influence us to change our ways and behavior as a result of the aesthetic experience we
derived from the arts
• Arts are valuable sources of inspirations and aesthetic delightful experience through the artist works of
art
Other Thoughts
1. Arts improve your creativity skills
2. Arts give you joy and satisfaction
3. Arts relieve stress
4. Arts give you the opportunity to showcase your talent
5. Arts give you confidence in our performance
6. Arts help you do well academically
7. Arts help you learn visually
8. Arts help you to express your emotions
9. Arts id a different language because it can express things without words
The Importance of Arts to Students
Through participation in arts
• Students can develop their creativity
• Students learn about their identity
• Students develop self-awareness
• Students develop self-confidence
• Students develop sense of well-being
Through intense involvement in artistic activities
• Students experience a sense of wonder and joy when learning through the arts
• Students can be motivated to participate more fully in cultural life
• Students are able to gain educational opportunities which they can use later in their career life
Source: Ariola, M.M. (2014). Introduction to art appreciation: A textbook in humanities. QC: C&E Publishing