If you want to be a performance artist, you should have a background in art in general so that you can see what others have done and how to use various compositional elements. There are no absolute requirements for someone interested in performance art beyond this knowledge. The type of skills and knowledge you’ll need will most likely be dictated by the nature of the performance you want to create. If you want to be a performance artist who works with multimedia and computer hardware, for example, you’ll need to know a little bit about computer science and programming.
To work as a performance artist, you should be familiar with a variety of artistic concepts and trends. A performance artist uses a variety of mediums, including live performances or acting, to create an artistic work that defies easy categorization. While you may not want to use paint and canvas as a performance artist, understanding different concepts about artistic compositions can help your performance. Understanding color theory, working with negative space, and creating various effects with shadows can all help you become a performance artist.
There is little structured knowledge required to become a performance artist, aside from a basic understanding of different artistic movements and methodologies. Other skills or knowledge may be required depending on the type of performance you want to create. You might want to learn more about film or video recording if you want to work with recorded audio and video to create elaborate performances using mixed media presentations, for example. If you want to use dance in your performance, however, a better understanding of various dance traditions may assist you in becoming a performance artist.
Other skills or abilities, such as understanding technology and software used in interactive media creation, can assist you in becoming a performance artist. Many artists have begun to use hardware and software to create interactive performances for audiences, as well as performances that can be viewed online by a much larger audience. If you want to use this technology, you should learn about the various types of computer hardware available. You might also want to learn some computer programming so that you can create your own applications rather than relying on third-party software.