...This introductory chapter analyzes the institutional and organizational factors that led to the invention of “the arts” in America. Wealthy reputational entrepreneurs seeking to establish domestic arts organizations contributed to the birth of highbrow arts as both idea and organizational practice...

...; of particular importance, legitimacy is signaled when fine-arts organizations provide such space. As the legitimation process proceeds, and consensus builds about how to act artfully within it, entrepreneurs are able to stake out new positions within the field. As they do so, communities of fellow artists begin...