Artforms

Artforms are the distinct modes through which human creativity expresses ideas, emotions, and narratives. An art form is defined by its methods, materials, conventions, and social contexts, and it can be traditional or contemporary. Cultural change, technology, and audience interaction continually reshape what is recognized as an art form.

Common art forms include visual arts (painting, sculpture, photography, digital art), performing arts (theatre, dance, music, opera, performance art), and literary arts (poetry, fiction, drama, essays). Design and architecture are often regarded as applied arts that join aesthetic aims with function. Film and video are sometimes treated as separate forms or hybrids bridging multiple media.

Many modern works cross boundaries, creating interdisciplinary forms such as multimedia installations, sound art, and videogames as art. The boundaries between art forms shift with new technologies, practices, and audiences, leading to ongoing reclassification and new vocabularies for critical discussion.

Art forms serve expression, critique, entertainment, documentation, and ritual. They are studied in museums, galleries, theatres, concert halls, libraries, and schools. Evaluation typically considers technique, originality, cultural significance, and impact on viewers or participants, while acknowledging varying contexts and interpretations across cultures.