Social Functions of Art in Traditional and Modern Societies

Objective of the study is to comparatively analyze the social functions of art as a special type of cultural activity in traditional and modern societies. The methodological basis of the research is based on the functional and historical-comparative methods, the concept of modernization and the concept of socio-cultural dynamics of P. A. Sorokin. Results of the study. The study has shown that art as a special sphere of cultural activity develops in close interaction with other spheres of social life. In the process of historical development its social functions, audience, aesthetic perceptions change, the sphere of art becomes more differentiated, etc. Comparing the functions of art in traditional and modern societies, one can find many differences: in particular, in modern societies, creative activity is largely associated with the market and consumption, although it has many other functions. The main difference is that in modern societies, as a result of the process of secularization, art ceases to be a mediator between the sacred and profane worlds, but this function does not disappear completely, but is modified. Research рerspectives. The work will be useful in studying the functions of art, as well as for further discoveries in this area.