Topic 3: Classifying The Arts: Learning Outcomes
Topic 3: Classifying The Arts: Learning Outcomes
Topic 3: Classifying The Arts: Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the session, you will be to:
a. Categorize the different forms of the arts and
b. Cite examples of each of the forms.
Presentation of Content
From the activity given, you have heard various art works. Art is
classified in different ways. Writers and philosophers have their own
classification of art. To clearly comprehend the relationship of these arts,
let’s us study the categorization made by the different experts
According to Webster (1987), the major arts involve man’s skills to
create works of art that are in form, content, and execution, aesthetically
pleasing and meaning as in music, painting, architecture, and sculpture.
They are called major arts because they appeal to the senses of sight,
hearing, and feeling. They are more notable and conspicuous in effect.
On the other hand, the aesthetic factor in the minor arts lies in the
“styling”. They are addressed primarily to the sense of sight and their
usefulness. The minor arts are inferior in degree, especially in the extent of
aesthetic quality.
According to Manaois, there are two (2) general dimensions of arts,
namely, (1) fine arts or independent arts made principally for aesthetic
enjoyment through the senses, especially visual and auditory such as
painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, theater, performing arts, and (2)
practical arts or utilitarian arts intended for practical use or the
development of raw materials for functional purposes such as industrial art,
civic art, commercial art, graphic art, agricultural and fishery art.
Estolas (1995) also grouped arts into:
1. Visual Arts. These artworks are perceived by our eyes which may be
classified into graphic arts and plastic arts. Graphic arts have flat
two- dimensional surface such as painting industry. It covers the
commercial arts like the design of books, advertisements, signs,
posters and other displays for advertisements. Plastic arts are visual
arts which have three- dimensional forms. Under this grouping are:
architectural designs and construction of buildings and other
structures; landscape of gardens, parks, playgrounds, and golf
courses with plants ,trees, vines and ground cover;
2. Performing Arts. These include the theater, play, dance, and music.
They involve movement, speaking and gestures.
3. Literary Arts. These include the short stories, novels, poetry and dramas.
4. Popular Arts. These include the film, newspaper, magazine, radio
and television. This group is characterized as gay and lively.
5. Gustatory Art of the Cuisine. This involves skills in food preparation.
6. Decorative Arts. They are visual objects produced for beautifying
houses, offices, cars and other structures. They are also called
applied arts.