performing arts

American  

plural noun

1. arts or skills that require public performance, as acting, singing, or dancing.

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performing arts British  

plural noun

1. the arts that are primarily performed before an audience, such as dance and drama

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Etymology

Origin of performing arts

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

performing arts

A performing arts education does more than train artists to perform.

From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2026

The requirements were built into UC’s rules in the 1930s, reached 15 courses by the early 1960s and added visual and performing arts as a category in 1999, the UC report said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

Many of the 1,500 unique job titles represent specialist roles, like a lighting technician for performing arts who may also tune the pianos.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

In a reminder that hope springs eternal: performing arts promoter Martin Elbourne, who founded the festival, points to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026

“True, you would have learned in a performing arts class if you’d taken one. Pity.”

From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon