Looking for Art in a Sea of Content: A Human-Centered Approach to Supporting Creativity on Social Media

Is 'art' simply 'content' in the age of social media? What does art's creation, appreciation, and experience lose when art becomes content? This exploratory research employs a mixed methods approach encompassing interviews, co-design, and stakeholder reviews to critically examine the perceptions of artists, curators, and content creators regarding the distinction between 'art' and 'content.' Our participants reveal four characteristics essential for art experiences that we use to co-design new digital 'content' environments. The work concludes with content creators reviewing the characteristics and designs, offering their thoughts on the feasibility and potential future for 'art' on social media. We offer open-source access to all design and research materials. By exploring the divide between 'art' and 'content,' this research contributes insights and guidelines for developing alternative algorithmic experiences to support creativity on social media.