Computers and Art
Many artists now use computers in their work.

The computer allows the visual artist to combine a number of media (photography, sketches, etc.) into a single image, a dynamically changing image, or even 3-D sculptures (rendered on a 2-D screen or "printed" into a cast object using special equipment). Calvin Art professor Frank Speyers and some of his students have created the website www.eyedeas.org to demonstrate how one must involve the audience when communicating. This site emphasizes that effective communication necessitates getting the audience involved, intriguing them, and capturing their attention visually—all principles that apply equally to live lectures or to websites. The site is used by art programs at five other academic institutions.

A musician can use a computer for a variety of creative tasks, from inventing new virtual "instruments" with unique sound characteristics to scoring and orchestrating entire symphonies right at the keyboard (either the QWERTY or the piano type). For instance, Paul Lansky has been called America's foremost electronic composer.

Moreover, musicians can widely disseminate their work with such digital audio compression technologies as MP3, AAC, or Windows Media.

Many actors and dancers, too, are incorporating computer technology, computer networks, and "virtual reality" technology into their work. Consider, for instance, the work of a UK organization, Shiftwork.