This classic sociological examination of art as collective action explores the cooperative network of suppliers performers dealers critics and consumers who along with the artist produce a work of art Howard S Becker looks at the conventions essential to this operation and prospectively at the extent to which art is shaped by this collective activity The book is thoroughly illustrated and updated with a new dialogue between Becker and eminent French sociologist Alain Pessin about the extended social system in which art is created and with a new preface in which the author talks about his own process in creating this influential work