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art vs arts

English translation: probably arts, but see below

09:11 Nov 23, 2011
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting / Definition of art/arts
English term or phrase: art vs arts
I'm trying to find out if the term "art" refers to all of the visual and performing arts (including architecture, film, design, theatre) because I keep finding information stating that "arts" refers to academic studies including history, geography, etc... yet the wikipedia page says that "the arts" covers all of the visual and performing arts.
I need the proper word for printing on the cover of a cultural magazine, the catch phrase would be something like: covering the art/s and culture of XXXX. The magazine is written in British English, but is for international distribution.
To be more specific, the magazine is for a country and covers visual arts as well as theatre, film, a bit of archaeology and perhaps some history.
Nikko Hinderstein
Selected answer:probably arts, but see below
Explanation:
Hi Nikko

it's a really tricky distinction, but I'll have a go and see if I can work it out. The 'arts' do refer to a broad field of academic disciplines (as for example in Master of Arts - in my case linguistics). But more generally it refers to areas of creativity including painting, sculpture, drama, music etc etc.

'Art' can sometimes just refer to the visual arts - ie when talking about 'Art' as a subject at school for example. Or it can be a broader concept.

In the case of your catchphrase, I think I would use 'arts'. But the whole phrase might need some thinking about. Is 'xxxx' a country or city?

One might also argue that the 'culture' of 'art and culture' covers 'the arts'! Confusing... However, in the case below, Frieze is a magazine predominantly devoted to the visual arts, and I think this is conveyed by the description, which uses 'art':

Frieze
www.frieze.com/frieze magazine was set up in 1991 and is the leading magazine of contemporary art and culture. frieze is published eight times a year and includes essays, ...

hope this helps

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Note added at 18 mins (2011-11-23 09:29:47 GMT)
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actually, looking at your question again - I'm not sure if you want a broad term or a term that just refers to visual art?

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 days (2011-11-30 21:14:46 GMT)
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Hi Nikko, I think there are numerous possibilities and it would be really hard to nail the definitive strapline without really knowing the magazine, its content and its audience. In general terms I think 'arts' is better here - as in 'culture and the arts in xxxx'. But if this were my job, I would give it a lot of thought and perhaps consider alternatives such as 'XXX's cultural review/quarterly' etc etc. There are many considerations, which relate to linguistic rhythm, context, audience etc and only the translator can really make the call on this one. Good luck!
Selected response from:

Lucy Phillips
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:18
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +2art
Michael Wise
4 +2probably arts, but see below
Lucy Phillips
3why not using "fine arts"?
Ahmad Hosseinzadeh


Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
art


Explanation:
the wikipedia article is referring to academic subjects which are divided into arts and sciences in BrE.
both art and arts would work here but art and culture is very clear.

Michael Wise
Spain
Local time: 09:18
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jenni Lukac (X): The Art and Culture of . . .
2 mins
agree  Ty Kendall
8 hrs
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14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
why not using "fine arts"?


Explanation:
By using "fine art(s)" there would be no place for ambiguity.


    Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fine_art
Ahmad Hosseinzadeh
Iran
Local time: 10:48
Native speaker of: Native in Persian (Farsi)Persian (Farsi)

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Sheila Wilson: Your reference does mention an ambiguity. // "in some institutes of learning or in museums fine art, and frequently the term fine arts (pl.) as well, are associated exclusively with visual art forms"
2 hrs
  -> Thanks for your comment Sheila. I quote directly from my reference: "Today,the fine arts commonly include the visual art and performing art forms,...,conceptual art,and printmaking." Well, here "commonly" vs. "in some institutes of learning or in museums"
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16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
probably arts, but see below


Explanation:
Hi Nikko

it's a really tricky distinction, but I'll have a go and see if I can work it out. The 'arts' do refer to a broad field of academic disciplines (as for example in Master of Arts - in my case linguistics). But more generally it refers to areas of creativity including painting, sculpture, drama, music etc etc.

'Art' can sometimes just refer to the visual arts - ie when talking about 'Art' as a subject at school for example. Or it can be a broader concept.

In the case of your catchphrase, I think I would use 'arts'. But the whole phrase might need some thinking about. Is 'xxxx' a country or city?

One might also argue that the 'culture' of 'art and culture' covers 'the arts'! Confusing... However, in the case below, Frieze is a magazine predominantly devoted to the visual arts, and I think this is conveyed by the description, which uses 'art':

Frieze
www.frieze.com/frieze magazine was set up in 1991 and is the leading magazine of contemporary art and culture. frieze is published eight times a year and includes essays, ...

hope this helps

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 mins (2011-11-23 09:29:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

actually, looking at your question again - I'm not sure if you want a broad term or a term that just refers to visual art?

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 days (2011-11-30 21:14:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Hi Nikko, I think there are numerous possibilities and it would be really hard to nail the definitive strapline without really knowing the magazine, its content and its audience. In general terms I think 'arts' is better here - as in 'culture and the arts in xxxx'. But if this were my job, I would give it a lot of thought and perhaps consider alternatives such as 'XXX's cultural review/quarterly' etc etc. There are many considerations, which relate to linguistic rhythm, context, audience etc and only the translator can really make the call on this one. Good luck!

Lucy Phillips
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:18
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Lara Barnett
3 hrs
agree  Nikko Hinderste: Hi Lucy, I refined the question, I'd appreciate your input again. Thanks!
2 days 28 mins
  -> added some more thoughts above
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