This work investigates the current state and future trajectory of art criticism within a rapidly evolving global art market and academic landscape. James Elkins and Michael Z. Newman bring together a diverse range of perspectives from critics, curators, and scholars to examine the methodologies and challenges inherent in evaluating contemporary art. The text argues that criticism is no longer a monolithic practice but a fragmented field requiring new frameworks to address the intersection of digital media, institutional power, and aesthetic value. By synthesizing these varied viewpoints, the authors provide a comprehensive overview of the tensions defining the discipline today.

Experts frequently cite this volume as a foundational text for understanding the professionalization and institutionalization of art criticism. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which makes it a standard reference for graduate-level art history and theory courses.