In current usage, the term "art" is most commonly associated with the
beautiful, that is, with aesthetics or the fine arts. Frequently, it is
restricted even more to signify one group of the fine arts, namely,
painting and sculpture. For instance, one refers simply to an "art
exhibit" or an "art" museum but specifies further "a center for the
performing arts."
However, historically the word "art" was related to utility and
knowledge, and its traditional meanings still exist today. For example,
we speak of "industrial arts" and "arts and crafts" through which useful
things are produced. On the other hand, "liberal arts" (work befitting a
free man) are those related to skills of the mind. We also refer to the
art of medicine, of teaching, of nursing, of politics, of navigation, of
military strategy, and so forth.
The word "art" can refer to both the effect of human work (works of art)
and the cause of things produced by human work (the knowledge and skill
of the artist). It is obvious that not only knowledge but also some form
of work and skill are involved in all art, useful or fine. "Art" is the
root of "artisan" as well as of "artist."[12]
Some arts, such as nursing, medicine, and teaching, may be considered
useful, yet they differ from other useful arts, such as industrial arts,
for they {91} do not result in tangible products. Nursing for instance,
aims purposively for well-being, more-being, health, comfort, growth.
These are the results of the art of nursing. As an artist, therefore,
the nurse must know how to obtain desired effects and must work
skillfully to get them. The nurse cannot make well-being or comfort or
health as one can make a shoe or a painting or a speech. The art of
nursing involves a skillful doing rather than a making. Furthermore,
nursing is concerned with changes in human persons not merely with the
transformation of physical objects. It is intersubjective and
transactional, so the art of nursing must involve a doing with and a
being with.