March 12, 2020
As winter subsides, we continue preparations for another great Sotheby’s Summer Institute. These preparations include planning around the latest world health issue: Coronavirus/COVID-19. Please know that we are taking this very seriously with our community’s safety at the forefront of everything we do, while also recognizing that we have several months until the start of the summer to watch, learn, and prepare as necessary.
As of now, we’re still planning to hold courses on our New York and London campuses this summer, as well as online. We encourage you to register at your earliest opportunity, especially if you would like to take advantage of our no registration fee period, which expires on March 16.
We know it’s important in these times for you to have flexibility in making choices about your summer plans and so have revised our cancellation policies:
Summer Courses in New York: We are extending the deadline to withdraw without penalty to 6 weeks in advance of your course start date. For the earliest summer courses in New York, those starting on June 8, 2020, this date is April 27. If Sotheby’s Institute cancels a course, students will receive a full refund.
Summer Courses in London: Students may withdraw up to 6 weeks in advance of the course start date, and we will be waiving the administrative fee of 15% so there is no penalty. For the earliest summer courses in London, those starting on June 8, 2020, this date is April 27. If Sotheby’s Institute cancels a course, students will receive a full refund.
We will be updating these policies later in the spring as necessary and as more information becomes available. Most of all, we want you to feel confident about applying to and participating in our programs and to know that you will be able to make choices as the situation develops.
There is no higher priority than the safety of our community of students, faculty, and staff. Rest assured, we are monitoring this developing situation closely, staying in regular contact with government agencies, health organizations, and other experts. We will continue to post updates to our website as this situation evolves, and communicate directly with you via email. Our enrollment counselors remain available to guide you through any individual questions or concerns.
For now, know that we are watching and actively planning for a variety of scenarios, and are prepared to navigate through these challenging circumstances with our community’s safety at the forefront of everything we do.
Sincerely,
Joe Watson and Kay Chubbuck
Directors, Sotheby’s Summer Institute