Launching in 2026, the Industry Fellowship will offer 20 MA students in New York direct access to paid, professional work experience at Sotheby’s while earning academic credit, with the program set to expand to London.

Sotheby’s Fellows will work alongside experts across key departments at the auction house such as Prints & Photos, Restitution, Valuations, American Art, and Latin American Art, gaining hands-on experience, contributing to real world projects, and receiving insider exposure to how the global art and luxury market operates.

This signature initiative reflects the Institute’s and the Auction House’s shared commitment to career-connected education and to building clear, credible pathways from graduate study to industry.

“As an industry leader, Sotheby’s is committed to building the talent pipeline and preparing the next generation of leaders that will define the future of the art and luxury markets,” said Will Potter, Global Head of HR at Sotheby’s. “The fellowship program is an important step in preparing emerging professionals for the real demands of the field.”

The Industry Fellowship builds on a strong foundation of work-integrated learning already embedded in the Sotheby’s Institute MA experience.

In both London and New York, the MA Work Placement elective offers students the opportunity to secure competitive industry placements, delivered in partnership with a wide network of leading art‑world and luxury organisations and supported by the Institute’s global alumni network.

In 2025, more than 100 students completed the elective in London, while in New York nearly 90% of 2024 graduates were employed in the arts within one year of graduation, 70% of whom completed internships during their studies—underscoring the Institute’s deep‑rooted industry connections and the value of real‑world experience as part of a Master’s degree.

“Ensuring students gain hands‑on, skills‑building work experience is core to the Institute’s Careers Services. Today’s Master’s students are investing heavily in their futures. Integrating real‑world industry experience into their studies is one of the most effective ways to fast‑track their career development and strengthen future employability,” says Diana Ewer, Head of Careers Services, Sotheby’s Institute of Art-London.

Collectively, the Industry Fellowship and Work Placement initiatives reinforce the Institute’s mission to integrate experiential learning into the Master’s journey, ensuring its graduates are equipped with professional experience, industry connections, and real momentum toward their careers in the global art and luxury sectors.