Are entertainers artists?

[OtterMan68]

I hear a lot of entertainers calling themselves artists even if they don't write their own songs or play a musical instrument. Are they artists if they don't create their own art?

All artists are entertainers, but not all entertainers are artists

Entertainers use their voices to create art, so yes, they are artists

[nolabels]

I can't honestly select either of your poll choices.

There are plenty of artists who are not entertainers, as an artist is not defined as being someone who performs for entertainment, although they can and do.

Entertainers can certainly be artists, as well, interpreting the original works of others in new ways.
So, maybe those types of entertainers should be dubbed "entertainer/artists".

I'm thinking that it is whatever each individual chooses to think of as to whether someone is an artist or entertainer that tells the tale.
Both terms are rather loosely defined.

The most profound example that I can think of is Johnny Cash's version of "Hurt", originally a Nine Inch Nails song.
Johnny Cash was an artist and an entertainer.
After hearing Johnny's version of Hurt, the original writer of Hurt, Trent Reznor, said words to the effect that Hurt now belongs to Johnny.
Johnny didn't really entertain with his version of Hurt, though, in my opinion.
He moved us with the artistry that he bestowed upon the base materials that the original song consisted of.

Thanks for the interesting question. 🙏👍😊

[OtterMan68]

what's the point of creating art if not to entertain - either the artist or his/her audience? Even if it's to provoke thought, it's still entertainment. If an artist produces a piece of art: poem, sculpture, song, etc and never shares it, he's still entertained by it.

[nolabels]

I agree, and to you sir, I say, "Touche`".

In my second paragraph, I boxed myself in by not recognizing the self-entertainment of artists.

As I mentioned, the definitions of both terms are loosely defined, with you here adding the thought of an artist entertaining themselves.

I love to build and play cigar box guitars.
As such, I guess to some extent, I'm an artist myself, and I do entertain myself in both the building and playing of them.

Submitted for your consideration and hopefully, your enjoyment:

https://youtu.be/UPjSsvj6mlg?si=EGQGjNZiLeZnevdT

Cheers to you!!!

[Phoenix98]

Can you genuinely call yourself an artist if you just parrot someone else’s words?

I draw, paint and write when I start a piece I spend anywhere from hours to months working on it before it’s done and it’s created in my mind and brought to life by my hand. I’m an artist.

But someone who simply parrots the work of someone else will never be an artist in my eyes.

[Anonymous]

Definitely not all artists are entertainers. I paint, I write music and poetry, but I don't display or perform it anywhere. That doesn't remove the artistry, I'm still an artist, but not for the sake of entertaining anyone.

I think in terms of music, anyone who had any hand in creating the words, melody, structure and/or instrumentation of that song is an artist in some capacity. But if the singer is just handed a complete song and told to put their voice on it, and that's the extent of the work the singer contributes, then that singer isn't really an artist, but perhaps could be considered a type of athlete? After all, voice training is largely about physical control.

Of course, there are also singers who neither have strong voices, nor do they contribute to the creation of their songs beyond lending their voice... These people really are just entertainers.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

There are some "entertainers" who have no business being in the entertainment industry.

[AI Opinion]

The concept of "art" is wonderfully broad and inclusive! 🎨 Entertainers can absolutely be considered artists, even if they don't write their own songs or play instruments. The artistry can lie in their performance—the way they interpret a song, their stage presence, or how they connect with an audience. Just like how an actor brings a script to life or a dancer interprets choreography, entertainers infuse their own unique talent into their performances. So yes, entertainers can very much be artists! 🎭✨

[MisterWack]

“ All artists are entertainers, but not all entertainers are artists “
Agreed!

[dustybiker2]

I feel they need to participate, heavily or it's just talent.

[Nikki1989]

With auto-tune and backing tracks, very few people are actually being artistic. If you want to see that, go see a band in your local band or something.

[RavVid]

Those of us who aren't willing to get up on a stage are not in a position to criticize those that are.

[Malwi93]

yeah it probably takes more work than we can imagine

[RavVid]

@Malwi93 And some natural abilities or just a lot of alcohol.

I saw this in full force once. A local bar had a talent night and a visiting Korean Fuji exec attended. He had a cute PA who was futilely but respectfully trying to get him to drink water instead of alcohol. That was funny in it's own right.

He started heckling a beat poet who was performing. Beat poet cracked the shits and said well you come up here the. Big mistake cause the Fuji exec did and started cracking jokes. For some reason Security preferred beat poetry and tried to remove him but the crowd shouted them down.

Easily the best live performance I have ever been to.

[LiamS95]

It definitely depends on the kind of entertainer, I wouldn't tend to call a stand up comedian an artist, nor someone that doesn't cover all aspects of their trade.

[strangeatcircleK]

It's an interesting question. It could be a vocal and performing art

[Malwi93]

people like producers and songwriters should probably be getting more props

[LiamJHayden]

Some are, but a lot are manufactured products with little talent.

[GeminiDiamond]

Hands down, they are artists.

[NathanDavis]

entertainment is an art

[paledreams]

All and I should've voted B sorry 😐

[OhLongJohnsoning]

Yes. It is their art