The article is devoted to analyze of the cultural-semiotic approach considered as one of the key in learning the art of indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East. The author's systematization of the methodological principles of cultural and semiotic approach (understanding of culture as a structure consisting of a series of symbolic systems and cultural texts; symbolic work actualized in art dialogue; culture representativeness and symbolic interpretation of signs of culture; the notion of "value" as a key in semantic philosophy of art). It is specified the definition of «art» on the basis of correlation of methodological principles of cultural-semiotic approach and ideas of constructivism. Art is understood as a cultural-semiotic construct that generates social meanings in the individual and collective consciousness, and allows to verify of human ideas about the world and construct your picture of the world on a subconscious level.