Artistic legitimization: reinterpreting Bourdieu and Becker in the digital age

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze students' perceptions of the algorithmic dynamics embedded in digital platforms within the processes of artistic legitimization, based on a reinterpretation of the theories of Pierre Bourdieu and Howard Becker. The research was based on the premise that algorithms do not replace traditional institutions; rather, they operate as emerging mechanisms of cultural mediation that reshape patterns of visibility, recognition, and symbolic value within the artistic field. An exploratory quantitative approach was adopted. Data were collected through a survey administered to 30 students enrolled in the Performing Arts program at Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí. The findings indicate that 87% of participants perceive social media as a decisive factor in enhancing artists' visibility. Digital collaboration, the influence of content creators, and the size of an artist's online audience were identified as key elements associated with artistic success. At the same time, respondents acknowledged the continuing importance of traditional forms of recognition, including academic training, professional experience, and institutional endorsement. The findings suggest that artistic legitimization has evolved into a hybrid process in which digital popularity and engagement metrics coexist with established systems of cultural validation. While algorithms increasingly shape public attention by determining the visibility of artistic content, traditional cultural institutions continue to play a fundamental role in the construction of artistic prestige and long-term professional recognition.