Institutional Theory of Art

The Institutional Theory of Art suggests that something is considered art mainly because of the social and institutional contexts that recognize and validate it as such. This means that art isn't defined solely by its appearance or material, but by the acknowledgment of experts, galleries, critics, and cultural practices that designate objects or concepts as art. In essence, an artwork's status relies on the collective agreement and institutional endorsement within the art world, shaping what is accepted as art in a given society.