Why study sociology of the arts?
Art is closely linked to social identity and practices in a variety of ways. For example, some art publics or consumers use their tastes in the arts as a form of self expression. Taste groups have long been studied as important status markers in society. But how do we decide what is art and what is “good” art? Who or what determines whether an art work or artist succeeds? People who try to make careers in the arts rapidly realize that artistic practices are the product and the basis of extensive social networks. Sociological studies of the processes through which works and their makers attain recognition reveal a complex interplay of material and symbolic factors which we will explore during the semester. Interest in the field has been stimulated by employment trends. In Nova Scotia employment in the cultural sector (largely in the area of the visual and performing arts) soared by almost 20% in the period between 1990 and 1996 at a time when overall employment in the province dropped b
