Art World’s Unwritten Rules

For all its inspiration and beauty, the art world is also a complex and layered ecosystem. Much of its flow is dictated by unwritten rules—those invisible yet pervasive norms and expectations that guide how artists, curators, collectors, and institutions interact. These rules are not necessarily codified in manuals or openly discussed, yet they profoundly impact how the art world operates. I think we can be better equipped to maneuver in this terrain with clarity and intention by recognizing and understanding them. So, what do we mean by these unwritten rules? In broad terms, they are the subtle social codes, power dynamics, and cultural expectations that influence everything from how artworks are priced to how opportunities are distributed. These norms may seem intimidating or opaque initially, but understanding their logic can help us engage with them more effectively.