This page is more of an opinion piece. Please read it as such.
My old arts and crafts teacher and I did not agree on if cosplay is art. He disagreed immediately. I think it is or could be, and asked him to clarify why he thought it wasn’t. He simply ignored me. So let’s answer the question: “Is cosplay art?” with me
The definition of art (according to Wikipedia on 3-11-2025) is “Art is a diverse range of cultural activity centered around works utilizing creative or imaginative talents, which are expected to evoke a worthwhile experience, generally through an expression of emotional power, conceptual ideas, technical proficiency, or beauty.” I want to focus on various parts of this sentence, namely:
- Cultural activity
- Utilizing creative or imaginative talents
- Evoking a worthwhile experience
- Expression of emotional power
- Expression of conceptual ideas
- Technical proficiency
- Beauty
Starting from the beginning: cultural activity. Cosplay is an activity that depends on pop culture. Taking reference from pop culture and performing as a character or concept from it, would mean it passes this check.
Utilizing creative or imaginative talents is not always as present in cosplay. But it surely is there when people make their own costumes and challenge themselves to try new techniques, work on new photo, video or skit concepts. When buying a pre-made costume, this aspect is less present, but it can be there still.
Evoking a worthwhile experience depends on the skill of the cosplayer. I’d say it truly depends on the kind of cosplayer. Some like to keep it simple and just have simple portrait pictures, while others like to give criticism on society by means of a cosplay skit or a thought-provoking photoshoot. Likewise, expression of emotional power and expression of conceptual ideas depend on the cosplayer and their goals. There are cosplayers who are great at that (I would give Jacquistuffnthings on Instagram as an example for this) and make it art. Technical proficiency would be crafting skills, concepting, editing, set building etc. This is also not something for everyone, but also possible. And beauty, well, that’s in the eye of the beholder and why people keep discussing about what is and is not art.
While I get that my art teacher might have made his judgement with cosplay being “dressing up as a sexy character”, I disagree with him. Sadly, I can only make assumptions. He really turned me away immediately. When I am building a costume, I always try to use techniques and skills that are unconventional. When planning a photoshoot, I try to make sure the location and costume together tell a story. Sometimes with more of an abstract concept behind it and sometimes none at all. Not all drawings made are works of art. Some are doodles, some are sketches, some are full-blown art. And I think cosplay is the same. Not all attempts in an effort to make something are art, no matter the medium.
Is cosplay art? It certainly can be.
I try to keep art in mind when working on my cosplays, because I find it gives a more coherent result that gives a lasting impression. What you do with art in cosplay or cosplay as art is up to you.
Keep on crafting!
Amirine