Critique Arthur Danto’s institutional theory of art. One criticism of it is that if people in the artworld define what is and is not art, then there seems to be no way for the decision-makers to decide among themselves what is art. Is this a fair criticism? Why or why not?

The institutional theory of art, which emerged from Danto’s ideas, highlights an essential aspect of art and its framing. In particular, this theory emphasizes the role of the art world, which consists of art-related environments, theories about art, and the communities of people who are involved in art. Asavei states that the initial Danto theory focused on the theoretical underpinnings of art (not necessarily mainstream ones).

However, Asavei notes that the following iterations of the idea centered on the people and institutions involved in assigning the status of art to different objects. In either case, it is reasonable to criticize this institutional theory by stating that people in the art world are unlikely to come to a consensus. Moreover, it is difficult to determine who belongs to the art world and has the right to negotiate art in the first place. These facts are an issue for the theory since the lack of a consensus implies the lack of a definition. Nevertheless, the institutional theory showcases cultural hegemony, and its criticism can be used to direct it toward critiquing the power dynamics of the art world.

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Academic.Tips. (2022) 'Critique Arthur Danto's institutional theory of art. One criticism of it is that if people in the artworld define what is and is not art, then there seems to be no way for the decision-makers to decide among themselves what is art. Is this a fair criticism? Why or why not'. 11 February.

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Academic.Tips. (2022, February 11). Critique Arthur Danto's institutional theory of art. One criticism of it is that if people in the artworld define what is and is not art, then there seems to be no way for the decision-makers to decide among themselves what is art. Is this a fair criticism? Why or why not? https://academic.tips/question/critique-arthur-dantos-institutional-theory-of-art-one-criticism-of-it-is-that-if-people-in-the-artworld-define-what-is-and-is-not-art-then-there-seems-to-be-no-way-for-the-decision-makers-to-deci-2/

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Academic.Tips. 2022. "Critique Arthur Danto's institutional theory of art. One criticism of it is that if people in the artworld define what is and is not art, then there seems to be no way for the decision-makers to decide among themselves what is art. Is this a fair criticism? Why or why not?" February 11, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/critique-arthur-dantos-institutional-theory-of-art-one-criticism-of-it-is-that-if-people-in-the-artworld-define-what-is-and-is-not-art-then-there-seems-to-be-no-way-for-the-decision-makers-to-deci-2/.

1. Academic.Tips. "Critique Arthur Danto's institutional theory of art. One criticism of it is that if people in the artworld define what is and is not art, then there seems to be no way for the decision-makers to decide among themselves what is art. Is this a fair criticism? Why or why not?" February 11, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/critique-arthur-dantos-institutional-theory-of-art-one-criticism-of-it-is-that-if-people-in-the-artworld-define-what-is-and-is-not-art-then-there-seems-to-be-no-way-for-the-decision-makers-to-deci-2/.


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Academic.Tips. "Critique Arthur Danto's institutional theory of art. One criticism of it is that if people in the artworld define what is and is not art, then there seems to be no way for the decision-makers to decide among themselves what is art. Is this a fair criticism? Why or why not?" February 11, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/critique-arthur-dantos-institutional-theory-of-art-one-criticism-of-it-is-that-if-people-in-the-artworld-define-what-is-and-is-not-art-then-there-seems-to-be-no-way-for-the-decision-makers-to-deci-2/.

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"Critique Arthur Danto's institutional theory of art. One criticism of it is that if people in the artworld define what is and is not art, then there seems to be no way for the decision-makers to decide among themselves what is art. Is this a fair criticism? Why or why not?" Academic.Tips, 11 Feb. 2022, academic.tips/question/critique-arthur-dantos-institutional-theory-of-art-one-criticism-of-it-is-that-if-people-in-the-artworld-define-what-is-and-is-not-art-then-there-seems-to-be-no-way-for-the-decision-makers-to-deci-2/.

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