What makes art, art?

I've often wondered about why people consider things art. It makes me wonder whether we've all lost it after a certain period of time, whether we all enjoy bullshiting when it suits our purpose, or whether we have come into a period of history where one idea (that whatever makes it into a gallery is considered art) has changed our perspective on what makes art. I am definitly confused on the notion, being a painter, i have this sense that art needs to be something aesthetic (and i know its in the eye of the beholder), or something that creates tension and feeling. This idea alone lets me accept Duchamp's urinal, or Triangles on the middle of a canvas, because as much as i disagree that it is art, i'm still talking about it!!!!! Frustrating, to say the least. I have been taking a class this semester on art and cultural diplomacy and policy making, and i've come to the realization that you cannot put a solid definition on either culture nor can you try to explain what art is. So where does that leave artist's such as ourselves, who have been in school for 7 years, studying art, and especially those who try to make a career out of it? I personally don't like being stuck in a perpetual cycle of "everyone can create art". I guess we all need to just go with it, because ultimatly, what does it matter what art is, in my opinion, it is who the art was made by that really counts.

Best,
Arthur