America was once dominated by either pragmatists or professionals, people who aspired for

material success or people who sought respectability through a set of external standards defined

by a field. Today, another attitude is taking over, an attitude in which everyone from chefs to

entrepreneurs is seeking to connect with the creative force within. This drive to question

prescribed paths and make things authentically one's own is evidence of the new artistic persona

shaping the future of the American economy and society. The Artistics explores how the

artistic persona has taken hold in America, and how this new breed of artistics is changing our

relationship to work and leisure and transforming our long-held concept of art.