The spectrum of the arts refers to how art as a concept is so wide that it must be categorised, into the performance, representational, and recording arts. Ancient historians originally recognised art as being divided into 7 different categories; History, poetry, comedy, tragedy, music, dance, and astronomy. In the 1200’s, art had evolved in meaning, going from a way to classify types of study and performance, to a more practical connotation. Art’s meaning changed frequently from the 1200’s to the 1800’s, becoming synonymous with “skills” towards the 1500’s. Eventually, the sub-category fine arts was made, to distinguish sculpture and painting inside the clause of art. In the 1800’s, sciences like astronomy and philosophy were being associated with the sciences instead of the arts, due to the rise in scientific discovery and understanding.

The spectrum of arts were split into performance art, which relates to art that happens in real time; examples of performance art are theatre and dance. Representational arts relate to art that depends on societal contexts and language codes to deliver a message to an audience; examples of representational art are paintings and sculptures. Recording arts relate to art that more directly links itself to its audience; an example of a recording art is music.