Popular Culture Values and the Arts

Book excerpt: In countries around the world, the rise of class divisions and unbridled capitalism are changing the conventional definitions of art and esthetics. Historically, the philanthropy of the elite has played a leading role in supporting, funding, and distributing artistic works. While such measures may be pure in intent, many worry that private funding may be gentrifying the arts and creating a situation in which art will only be valued for its prestige or, worse, its price tag. This collection of essays examines the current movement to democratize the arts and make the world of artistic endeavor open and accessible to all. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.