Multiarts

Multiarts is a term used to describe creative practices that integrate two or more distinct art forms into a single work or project. The approach encompasses collaborations among disciplines such as visual art, music, theater, dance, literature, design, and digital media, often leveraging technology, space, and interactivity to produce hybrid experiences.

Practices in multiarts are characterized by collaboration, experimentation with form, and a willingness to cross traditional boundaries. Common methods include multimedia installations, live performances with audiovisual components, site-specific works, and digital or networked projects. Works may be participatory, immersive, or performative, and often emphasize process and collaboration among artists, designers, technicians, and researchers. Residencies, collectives, and festival contexts frequently support multiarts work.

History and terminology. The broader idea of crossing disciplines predates the term; "multiarts" is used by some organizations and scholars to describe contemporary integrative practice. It overlaps with related concepts such as intermedia, multimedia art, and interdisciplinary art, while aiming to foreground the equal integration of multiple arts rather than the mere combination of media. Because the scope is broad, definitions vary across regions and institutions, and the label can be criticised for being too vague or commercially broad.

Reception and impact. Multiarts projects are often noted for their potential to broaden audience engagement, encourage experimentation, and explore spaces or communities in new ways. They pose challenges in funding, curatorial clarity, and preservation, given their reliance on evolving technologies and collaborative workflows.

Related terms include multimedia art, intermedia, and interdisciplinary art.