Visual Arts vs Performing Arts: Which is More Important?

posted on Jun 23, 2020

Art has always existed in the schooling system throughout the course of history. Even though it had its phases of prominence and subjugation, art never vanished from schools.

Art has always existed in the schooling system throughout the course of history. Even though it had its phases of prominence and subjugation, art never vanished from schools. The most recent example of art losing its place in conventional schools is when most educational institutions started embracing STEM subjects to prepare students for the digital world. However, it was soon clear that exactly half of the human mind is designed to indulge in art and the subject cannot simply be kept out of the academic curriculum. Thus, emerged the concept of STEAM in the top schools in Greater Noida Extension. And the umbrella of art bifurcated into visual and performing arts.

With more available options came the question of importance. With growing prominence came conflicting preferences. In reality, however, both visual and performance arts have their own benefits. And students made for one path thrive following the specific curve. This post discusses the technical difference between visual and performing arts and then goes on to explore the importance of both. No school can truly bet of one type and conclusively declare blind allegiance.

Visual arts vs performing arts – definitions

Art is a way of expressing feelings, emotions and imaginations over some tangible form. Visual arts are expressions through forms that are visible to both the creator and the spectator. Performing arts are performances that are often not visible to the creator but can be seen by spectators. Their individual examples should clear the concepts more. Painting, for example, is a form of visual arts. Both the creator and the spectator can see the painted canvas at any stage of creation. Dance, on the other hand, is performing art. The spectator can see the artist dancing but the creator cannot indulge in viewing directly.

Similarly, sculpting and photography come under the column of visual arts. Theatre and public speech fall into the category of performing arts. Both require imagination and creativity. Both can be honed through training and mimicking. The only difference is the mode of expression.

The importance of visual and performing arts

For the sake of elaboration, let’s take dance as the example of performing arts and painting as the counterpart example in visual arts. This should simplify the understanding as to why the best schools in Noida Extension 2020 now lay equal priority on both.

Dancing involves intricate movements of the whole body. Right from the palms to the toes, any form of dancing engages all the tissues and joints. Now, among primary and middle school students, dancing directly complements the children’s motor development. Childhood dancers command better control over their finer movements. Additionally, greater physical movement keeps children physically fit. And giving them an outlet to physically dissipate their stored energy helps with discipline and composure.

Emotionally, dancing engages the creative side of the brain. Learning from coaches leads to critical thinking and instruction-following skills. Plus, complex dance forms are difficult to mimic and builds resilience. And probably the most important benefit of performing arts as a whole is the instant social interaction that students get. Dancing requires children to overcome their fear of judgement and perform on a stage. The appreciation works to build confidence.

Painting, on the other hand, can be done remotely and solely. But the benefits are quite similar. First, painting engages the creative and expressive side the most. To portray imagination into something that is understandable by the crowd is a herculean task in itself. Also, painting requires fine hand movements for more intricate brush strokes and colour application. This also aids motor and emotional development in deeper ways.

Visual arts may not have an instant audience. But the appreciation counts as much. When paintings are placed beside one another, the artists gain confidence from the applause of the viewers. Lastly, painting bolsters observational skills. Children have to master the patience to observe the environment to draw inspiration and tell a story on the canvas. Without direct involvement of the creator, the piece must be such that closely resonates with viewers.

There is no choice

As evident, all modern institutes in the list of schools in Greater Noida West must focus on both visual and performing arts to ensure the true creative development of their students. BGS Vijnatham is one such school. Here, the infrastructure for both is world-class so that the students can indulge in their own preferred form of expression. Art does not do well in confinement. Imagination requires freedom. If children are to develop artistically, draw art’s true benefits, they must indulge and thrive in a form they are comfortable with. BGS believes that both performing and visual art have something to teach students. And that is why no deviation in priority exists in this school.