Abstract:  The research on the knowledge genealogy of “art management” includes not only  the composition analysis of the disciplinary knowledge system, but also the process of its formation. The former focuses on the logical level, aiming to analyze whether its knowledge architecture is reasonable or not. The latter focuses on historical retrospection, aiming to clarify the historical causes of its rise and the theoretical basis of its development. “Knowledge genealogy” is not only a system description, but also a research method, committed to the unity of “logical research” and “historical research”. The rise and development of any discipline is bound to be subject to the specific backgrounds of the times. The worldwide “social transformation” that has gained momentum since the 20th century and not yet been completed up till now, not only has exerted strong influence on the past and the present of the discipline of “art management”, but also will profoundly affect its future development trend.

Key words:  , art management, knowledge genealogy, social transformation, historical motivation, theoretical basis