The art competition known as ArtPrize was ridiculed by the mainstream art world from the get-go. Trust me on this -- I was an early supporter. Almost every art writer I know of -- specifically in NY circles -- knocked it at first. [...]

The challenges proposed by art critic Jerry Saltz, challenges that he fails to stand by when people DO accept them, are starting to chip away at his credibility. [...]

I think the NY gallery world really needs to take a look in the mirror before blaming the Republican party for the gender disparity that exists within the art world. [...]

Shepard Fairey has damaged his legacy -- there is no denying that. That is something he will have to live with (and something other artists should learn from). [...]

Artist Lorette C. Luzajic, writing for Canada Free Press, recently offered criticism of art-focused Occupy Wall Street splinter movements -- such as Occupy Art World (OAW) and Occupy Museums (OM). [...]

Yes, I know that these people are tremendously tremendously busy, which is another aspect of The Way Things Are Now, but I do so get tired of little people being ignored by big ones. [...]

The people who challenged Hide/Seek were utilizing fear for their own ends -- all while hiding said motivations under a blanket of faith. As a Christian -- no, as a person -- I feel that behavior was absolutely horrid. [...]

Face it -- there is nowhere near 99% of the art world represented within the mainstream art world of today. Only a small percentage of artists who are alive and creating today can thrive within that power structure -- and find a place within the social/political viewpoints that tend to be accepted by the art market powers that be. [...]

The problem is that the mainstream art world, as in the world of high profile art galleries, and other major art world players that have what one could describe as a parasitic relationship to them -- such as the big name art magazines -- are clearly influenced by art collectors who fall within the 1%. [...]

The Occupy Wall Street movement has lit a fire of protest throughout the United States and abroad. It appears that the mainstream art world is not protected from the flames. In the last month groups such as Occupy Art World, Occupy Museums, and Occupy Chelsea have emerged -- all railing against the influence the 1% has had on the direction of art in the United States. [...]

James Panero is the managing editor of The New Criterion -- he also serves as an art critic for the publication. The New Criterion is a New York-based literary magazine that focuses on cultural and artistic criticism. Panero also contributes regularly to publications such as The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Art & Antiques Magazines, The Weekly Standard, and Forbes. [...]

Okay, okay, none of us are islands and all that and we all work together as a team and many hands make the job lighter and we learn at the master’s feet and ad infinitum, but if you are an artist driving and pushing yourself to be at the top of your form, you might find group situations a bit confining, and rather than wonder what’s wrong with you, I suggest you turn the situation around and recognize that, for highly individualized persons like artists, the group is not always the best place to grow. [...]

Is it wrong for an artist to take advantage of the media's need to report on controversial art? I don't think so. As long as the artist truly believes in the message behind the work I see nothing wrong with exploring controversy and reaping media exposure from it. [...]

In 2008 the political rhetoric of hope, change, and promises lit a powder keg of support for Obama within the U.S. art community -- artists ranging from college art students to the likes of street artist Shepard Fairey made their support clear. Art for Obama and art for change reigned. I'm not certain that we will see that same level of support from the art community again... and if we do, I wonder if it will be for a different presidential candidate. [...]

I stand firm in saying that public funded art exhibit spaces should be considered a place to learn-- a place where opposing ideas are tolerated and explored-- not places where key staff abuse their positions in order to cultivate attitudes in preparation for voting booths in support of one specific political party. [...]

Point blank-- many feel that it is hypocritical for the professional art world, specifically in the United States, to maintain professional art connections with China while the Chinese government continues to practice what is considered an unethical form of justice compared to western attitudes concerning law. After all, many of the professionals who protested in support of Ai Weiwei commented on the human rights violations that have been at the core of criticism against China for decades. That said, some feel that by maintaining professional art-related connections with China the negative behavior of the Chinese government toward Chinese artists labeled as dissidents is likely not to change. [...]

I believe that we are currently living in one of the most interesting times for art criticism. The clash of increased exposure to information, mass media, and extreme opinions-- overall-- have come together in a way that is both exciting and alarming. Art criticism will never be the same. I realize that many will say that art and politics don't mesh well-- but it happens everyday within the realm of art criticism. True, it may at times be concealed-- but it is there looking back at us. It is up to the reader to see beyond the reviews in order to place an art critic into perspective-- to decide if he or she is part of a political machine... and if so, to what extent. [...]

The Venice Biennale is arguably the most significant international event within the world of art. Due to this the national exhibitions that take place adhere to a hardcore mentality in regards to competing for attention. It is an event fit for controversial art. The 'loudest' visual spectacle often wins the frenzy of press. The 2011 Venice Biennale is no different-- and this year the 'loudest' visual spectacle came in the form of a tank-- yes, a boom, boom tank-- at the American pavilion. Unfortunately, the work of art is rather mediocre considering that it plays into the war mongering stereotype of how the United States is so often viewed. It is the same tired direction of art that has been relatively common in the last decade. The bones of the dead horse have been reduced to dust-- yet the theme continues to be kicked. [...]

I've been noticing a trend among some artists and art admirers within the United States-- it is a viewpoint that I suspect has been boiling just under the surface for years. Point blank -- there are many who feel that curatorial choices that involve representing the art of the United States have failed to capture a true sense of the common directions that artists in the US explore with their art. Instead it is felt that only a small percentage of the US art world is being catered to. Thus, some feel that a false-representation of US art is commonly presented-- one that does not truly reflect the direction of US art at large. [...]

In recent years there has been an ongoing debate about whether or not art museums-- and museums in general-- in the United States should work alongside art museums located in countries that are known for human rights violations. Events surrounding the arrest of artist Ai Weiwei in China have spurred the debate further-- in fact, one could suggest that the topic has reached a boiling point. [...]

As I have long said-- want to see hypocrisy at work? Open up any art history book OR look at major museum acquisitions that have taken place in the last decade alone. Bias is clear-- hypocrisy is clear. The mainstream art world is not as open-minded as many assume. You will find that specific hard-line viewpoints are often the status quo of the mainstream contemporary art world. [...]

An article by the Guardian UK about the destruction of controversial artist Andres Serrano's "Piss Christ" at a museum in France has fueled debate about religion and art. The story-- which has spread virally by individuals who are understandable angry about the destruction-- has fueled the idea that all Christians and all social/political conservatives are against art due in part to the irresponsibility of the articles author Angelique Chrisafis. It serves as another example of how the irresponsibility of a mainstream media author can cultivate hate against people of a specific faith-- in this case all Christians -- and empower stereotypes about how all people following a specific religion view art. [...]