Art and Arts are two words that are often confused as words that convey the same meaning. Actually they are two different words that convey different meanings. Art means, fine art such as painting, drawing and sculpture. Arts represent subjects such as commerce, economics, philosophy, history and other such non-science subjects. This is the main difference between the two words.
It is important to know that arts include all the ordinary arts. This is the reason why arts are sometimes called as ordinary arts. They are different from sciences. On the other hand, music is an art. It does not come under arts. Art is sometimes called as fine art too.
Acting and theater also come under art. Art sometimes refers only to painting and sculpture. This is especially so in the case of art galleries. A number of cities in the continent of Europe are known for art galleries where the art pieces of several famous artists have been stored and preserved.
On the other hand, there are 64 arts. Cooking and gardening also come under arts. One of the most important factors that distinguish an art from a subject that falls under arts is creativity. Art needs creativity, whereas arts do not require creativity. This is one of the main differences between art and arts.
Creativity is the very soul of any art for that matter. Creativity is the soul of poetry. A poet has to be creative in order to create poetry. On the other hand, an expert in history or a historian should be knowledgeable in the subject rather than being creative. Creativity does not serve the purpose for him. On the other hand, a sculptor has to be creative indeed for his work to excel and to be appreciated.