Two meanings for the word 'art'

The word art in English has two slightly different meanings.

MEANING ONE

Art can be used as a subject name. You might have art lessons at your school; art includes painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery and other similar activities.

MEANING TWO

Sometimes we want to talk about activities like painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery and so on (the subject art), together with other subjects – like music, drama and dance. We call the whole group 'arts' (it's always plural). The arts includes music, drama, dance and art.

You'll have to look at the word very carefully on this page to see, each time, which meaning is meant – the difference is between art and the arts.

There are three types of arts therapists among the Allied Health Professions:

• art therapists (who work through painting, drawing and so on)
• music therapists (who work through making and listening to music)
• dramatherapists (who work through play-making and story-telling)

Arts therapists (art therapists, dramatherapists, music therapists) work with people to help them find a way of expressing their feelings. Sometimes we all find it difficult to express what we feel inside. Mostly we get over this but some people don't – they keep their feelings inside and it can make them ill. Arts therapists work with people to help them express their feelings so they get better.

Arts therapists work with people who have physical, mental, social or emotional difficulties. They can work with people of all ages in whatever place best suits their patients' needs. This can be a clinic or special unit, a school, a prison, wherever this therapy is needed.

Art Therapists
(work through painting, sculpture, pottery and so on)

Art therapists are people trained in art and they work with whatever art best suits the patient. This could be painting, drawing, pottery, textiles, photography or another art form.

Drama Therapists
(work through play-making and story-telling)

Drama therapists use role play, voice work, myth, story-telling or objects and movement. They will help people develop their self-awareness; dramatherapy is a useful, creative way to solve problems a person might have.

Music Therapists
(work through making music)

Music therapists give people an opportunity to make music on their own, with the therapist, or in groups, with the therapist. This helps them communicate and practise skills like listening and sharing. Music therapists sometimes offer people the opportunity to listen to music and respond to it.