How would you describe your Sotheby’s Institute experience?

My experience at Sotheby’s Institute was both intellectually rigorous and highly practical. It was an intensive, fast‑paced program that combined academic depth with real exposure to the art market, delivered by lecturers who are actively shaping the industry today.

What stood out most was how comprehensive the training was. In just three months, the program gave me a structured understanding of the art world—from the historical foundations of artworks to the commercial, legal, and strategic mechanisms that underpin today’s market.

The balance between theory, case studies, and direct interaction with professionals meant that learning was immediately applicable, not abstract.

Overall, it was a demanding but extremely rewarding experience that prepared me to enter the art market with both confidence and clarity.

What were the key elements of the 12‑week Certificate course that influenced your decision to study with Sotheby’s Institute?

The decisive factor for me was the ability to study art business and art history in parallel. I was looking for a program that would allow me to develop a serious understanding of artworks while also learning how the market around them functions.

The two courses are deeply complementary and the learning curve is particularly steep (and rewarding) when they are taken together.

I was strongly drawn to the professional nature of the program. Many lecturers and guest speakers are current practitioners (auction house specialists, gallerists, advisors, curators, and data specialists) who share real‑world insights rather than purely academic perspectives.

The diversity of the cohort was a major attraction. Learning alongside people coming from finance, law, the creative industries, and the arts made discussions richer and challenged the way I approached the subject matter.

How did the balance between in‑classroom teaching and on‑site visits enhance your learning experience in the course?

The on‑site visits were a crucial extension of the classroom teaching and significantly deepened my understanding.

In the Art History course, museum visits were essential. Seeing works in person, often shortly after studying them in class, helped anchor theoretical concepts in reality. Visits to institutions such as the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, the Courtauld Gallery, Tate Britain, Sir John Soane’s Museum, and the British Museum allowed us to analyze works directly with leading experts. These sessions were focused on visual and historical analysis and also offered insight into curatorial choices and conservation issues.

In the Art Business course, visits to auction previews during London’s marquee sales were particularly impactful. Discussing upcoming lots directly with specialists and heads of sale provided a concrete understanding of how value is assessed, how works are positioned, and how sales are strategically constructed. These interactions demystified the auction process in a way that classroom teaching alone could not.

How did the combination of art history theory and art business practice equip you with the tools and knowledge to navigate the art industry?

For me, having both perspectives was essential. The Art History course provided the foundational understanding of objects (their context, quality, condition, and significance) without which market analysis becomes superficial. At the same time, the Art Business course component explained how those objects circulate: how prices are formed, how auction houses and galleries operate, how collectors behave, and how institutional and private interests interact.

Taken together, the two courses made it clear that art history and the art market are not separate disciplines, but two sides of the same coin. This dual framework has been invaluable in helping me navigate conversations with specialists, advisors, and clients in a credible and informed way.

Coming from a finance background, what motivated you to change careers, and how did the course help you make that transition?

While working in investment banking and strategy consulting, I had already begun developing a strong personal engagement with the art world. I regularly visited museums, galleries, and fairs across Europe and took evening art history courses at the École du Louvre, with a particular focus on eighteenth‑ and nineteenth‑century art.

After several years in finance and consulting, I wanted to build a career in a field I was genuinely passionate about. Making that transition required structure, credibility, and a clear understanding of how the art world operates professionally.

The Sotheby’s Institute course played a role in bridging that gap. It gave me a rigorous introduction to the art market’s mechanics while significantly strengthening my art historical foundations. Crucially, it allowed me to transpose my analytical and strategic skill set into the art market context, giving me both the confidence and the legitimacy to pursue a new professional direction rather than starting from scratch.

What were some of the most valuable aspects of the curriculum?

On the Art Business side, the most valuable aspect was how closely the curriculum is anchored in real market practice. Lecturers and guest speakers come from different segments of the art ecosystem—auction houses, galleries, advisory, institutions, and analytics—which provided multiple perspectives on the same market. This helped me understand not only how each player operates, but also how their interests sometimes align and sometimes diverge.

I also greatly appreciated how accessible the faculty and guest lecturers were. Many were open to continuing discussions outside the classroom, which made the program feel genuinely connected to the professional world.

On the Art History side, museum visits were a highlight. Studying a work in class and then encountering it in person completely changes how you look at it. Visiting a painting conservation studio was a particularly memorable experience, as it offered insight into the technical processes that underpin authenticity, condition, and long‑term value.

More broadly, the curriculum allowed me to see long‑term continuities in art history, from antiquity to contemporary art, and to understand how those continuities still shape today’s market dynamics.

How has your experience at Sotheby’s Institute helped you transition into your current role at Bonhams in Paris?

The program was instrumental in helping me clarify where and how I wanted to position myself within the art industry.

Through the courses, and through conversations with lecturers and guest speakers, I developed a much more precise understanding of the auction ecosystem and the strategic functions that support it. I gained hands‑on exposure to auction data analysis, artist price formation, and the internal dynamics of sales, all of which are directly relevant to my role in client development.

The Art History course has also been highly valuable in my day‑to‑day work. It allows me to engage more fluently with specialists, understand which clients to target for specific categories, and add cultural context to strategic discussions.

Overall, Sotheby’s Institute gave me both the technical foundation and the market literacy required to transition confidently into my current position at Bonhams.

What advice or tips would you give to Sotheby’s Institute applicants?

My first piece of advice would be to speak with former students. Alumni are best placed to share candid insights about the course and how it can align with different career paths.

Once on the course, I would strongly encourage students to actively engage with lecturers and guest speakers. They are generous with their time, happy to share their experiences, and often open to continuing conversations beyond the classroom.

Finally, approach the course with curiosity and commitment. The pace is intense, but the more you invest intellectually and personally, the more you will gain from it. For me, enrolling at Sotheby’s Institute was one of the best career decisions I have made and it fundamentally shaped the direction I am pursuing today.