What inspired you to choose Sotheby’s Institute of Art for your online studies?

Curiosity. I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to examine these complex systems through the lens of a prestigious institution while engaging with a diverse international cohort of professionals and enthusiasts.

At the time, I was deeply involved in organizing Brand New Art, a local art fair in Krakow, and was actively exploring strategies for international expansion. This professional context created an urgent need to benchmark my understanding of art market operations against global standards and best practices. I enrolled in two complementary courses—The Art of Collecting and Art Business Foundations—to gain both theoretical grounding and practical insights.

Sotheby’s Institute represented the gold standard for art market education, offering access to leading industry professionals and cutting-edge research. My confidence in this choice was reinforced by the institution’s robust digital presence and the exceptional quality of expertise consistently demonstrated across its public platforms and publications.

How would you describe your overall experience of the online course?

The online format proved exceptionally well-suited to my professional obligations, allowing me to maintain full participation while managing concurrent projects. The course architecture struck an optimal balance between accessibility and rigor, with each session delivering substantial value through expertly curated presentations, supplementary readings, and interactive expert sessions.

What distinguished this educational experience was the seamless integration of theoretical frameworks with practical applications. The pedagogical approach ensured that every component—from lectures to assignments—contributed to a comprehensive understanding of art market dynamics without overwhelming participants with an excessive workload.

The international composition of the cohort emerged as a particularly valuable dimension of the program. The structured discussions and collaborative elements created opportunities to engage with diverse perspectives from professionals across different markets, cultural contexts, and career stages. This cross-pollination of ideas and experiences significantly enriched the learning environment and broadened my understanding of global art market variations.

What did you enjoy the most about the course—whether that’s the content, faculty expertise, peer community, or learning approach?

The faculty’s unique positioning as both accomplished academics and active market participants proved invaluable. Their dual expertise enabled them to provide not only robust theoretical foundations but also real-time insights into market trends, institutional dynamics, and emerging opportunities. This combination of scholarly rigor and practical relevance created an exceptionally rich learning environment.

The individual assignments deserve particular recognition for their thoughtful design and pedagogical effectiveness. Rather than feeling like obligatory exercises, these tasks were carefully crafted to encourage critical thinking and personal reflection on course material. They provided essential opportunities to synthesize learning, develop independent perspectives, and engage deeply with complex concepts at an individual pace.

The course’s commitment to intellectual accessibility—maintaining high standards while ensuring practical completion—demonstrated sophisticated educational design that respected participants’ diverse professional commitments while maximizing learning outcomes.

Did the online course provide new perspectives or industry knowledge that helped you in your career or creative practice?

The courses catalyzed significant professional and intellectual development that continues to influence my trajectory. Most immediately, they provided the conceptual framework and confidence necessary to advance the internationalization of Brand New Art, particularly in developing partnerships with regional European art market actors.

More profoundly, the educational experience inspired a commitment to knowledge dissemination within the Polish art community. I have since organized conferences focused on local market development while maintaining connections to broader European art networks—a direct application of insights gained about market connectivity and professional relationship-building.

The most transformative outcome has been my decision to pursue doctoral studies at Complutense University in Madrid. Professor Stephanie Dieckvoss’ instruction was particularly influential in igniting my passion for advanced academic research. Her approach to connecting theoretical frameworks with contemporary market realities demonstrated the intellectual possibilities within art market studies and motivated my continued scholarly pursuits.

How did you find the pace, structure, and time commitment of the course? Did the online format and learning platform support your experience?

The pace was well-calibrated and manageable alongside my other commitments. The structure allowed me to attend all sessions without feeling overwhelmed. The online format worked exceptionally well for my international learning goals, it connected me with participants from various countries and backgrounds, which was exactly what I hoped for when seeking to broaden my perspective on the global art market.

The learning platform effectively supported interactive discussions and knowledge sharing. The technical aspects never hindered the learning experience, and the format actually enhanced the collaborative elements I valued most. The balance between live sessions, individual tasks, and peer interactions felt natural and engaging rather than forced or artificial.

How has the course benefited you personally or professionally? Have you applied what you learned to your current work or practice?

The courses have had a transformative impact on both my professional trajectory and personal intellectual development. Professionally, the insights I gained directly influenced my approach to internationalizing the Brand New Art fair, giving me the confidence and knowledge framework to expand beyond the local Polish market to engage with regional European actors.

More significantly, the courses catalyzed my decision to pursue doctoral studies at Complutense University in Madrid. Professor Stephanie Dieckvoss’ teaching sparked my passion for deeper academic exploration of the art world. The theoretical frameworks and practical insights from both courses now inform my PhD research and continue to shape how I approach art market analysis and cultural project development.

What advice would you offer to prospective students considering an online course with Sotheby’s Institute of Art?

Take advantage of the faculty’s dual expertise as both academics and active market participants. Their current involvement in the art world means you’re getting real-time insights, not just theoretical knowledge. Be ready to apply what you learn immediately. The courses are designed to be practical, and you’ll get more value if you’re actively connecting the material to your own projects or career goals.

Finally, approach the experience with genuine curiosity rather than just credential-seeking. The courses can be genuinely transformative if you’re open to having your perspectives challenged and expanded.