1. Contemporary Approaches  Understanding art depends on the overall context Not simply the object or the artist or the observer  Context: “art world” institutions: historical and cultural framework constitute what counts as art and how we should appreciate and understand it Reactions against formalism

2. Institutional Theory of Art (George Dickie)  An artifact  Status of candidate for appreciation has been conferred by person(s) acting on behalf of a certain social institution (the artworld) Does it explain what we want to understand about art?

3. Art world theory of art (Arthur Danto)  Status as “art” emerges from the dialogue of the art world(s)  Dialogue draws on range of theoretical perspectives available – formalism, expressionism, representation, etc. Does it explain what we want to understand about art?

4. Theory of Art within Traditions (Marcia Eaton)  X is an artifact  Discussed in such a way that information concerning history of production brings audience to attend to intrinsic properties considered worthy of attention in aesthetic traditions (history, criticism, theory) Does it explain what we want to understand about art?

5. Cultural questions  Who is a member of the “institution” or “art world”?  What concepts, terms, assumptions do they use in considering candidates for “art”?  Could different groups reach different conclusions? Race? Gender? Economic group?

6. Examples: do these theories explain them? Amish quilts? Civil War photographs?

7. Instrumentalism  Dewey: the end of aesthetic experience, integrated life experience  Plato, Tolstoy: moral and religious enlightenment  Feminism: understand life and experience of women  Political activism: influence change within society Does it explain what we want to understand about art?