What is Art??Understanding the impact of the Arts on

History, Culture, Humanity, and Aesthetics.

“The Arts” is a broad, cultural term that relates to expressive disciplines such as visual arts,

dance, theater, literature, music and occasionally fashion and food!

When used by itself “Art” generally refers to the visual arts such as drawing, painting and sculpture. However, it also encompasses architecture, decorative

arts and crafts.

In America, the non-profit arts and cultural industry generates $116.2 billion in economic activity every

year!

“The $166.2 billion in total economic activity has a significant national impact, generating the following: 5.7 million full-time

equivalent jobs, $104.2 billion in household income, $7.9 billion in local government tax revenues, $9.1 billion in state government tax

revenues, $12.6 billion in federal income tax revenue.”

- Arts & Economic Prosperity, Americans for the Arts, www.artusa.org

In addition, The Newspaper Association of America estimates that advertising drives over $5.2 trillion dollars

in sales in the United States alone! This is 20% of

the nation’s total economy. – www.naa.org

Around the turn of the twentieth century, photographs and newspapers eclipsed the visual artist as the recorder of historical events. Prior

to 1900, however, the visual artist was the primary source of historical images.

Events People

Places Religious Events

The invention of the camera in the late 1800’s led to a new direction for visual artists

Artists created works that reflected their inner feelings, social events and pieces of their culture

Expressionism Aesthetics

Society Geography

Innovation Media in Society