Outsider Art: The discussion of categories of definition and categorization of Outsider art and its performance in International Art Markets

The growing acceptance of art produced by people who are self-taught or considered "outsiders," is one of the most intriguing stories in the art world today. The belief is long gone that Outsider Art as a genre has no place in academic institutions or the collections of major museums. Recent record-breaking auction prices for the most prominent Outsider artists prove that interest in this genre has never been higher than it is today. This thesis will discuss the questions of what constitutes Outsider Art, evolving definitions of that term, and which qualities are necessary for an artist to be considered a true outsider. It will also discuss the current situation in international art markets for Outsider and self-taught artists, and will support the idea that it is just a matter of time before prices for the most important Outsider artists will reach the million-dollar mark.