5-Day Intensive

Chicago Art Scene

Register Request Info
Date
June 8 – 12, 2026
Time
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST
Duration
5 Days
Location
Chicago
Program
5-Day Intensive
Mode of Learning
In-Person
Price
Price
$2500
Language
English
Topic
Art History
Contact Admissions

+44 (0)20 7462 3232 +1 646-438-7268 shortcourses@sia.edu

This course offers an engaging introduction to the history of art by grounding key concepts such as beauty, materiality, conceptualism, and politics through the dynamic and diverse art scene of Chicago.

Rather than following a strictly chronological approach, we will explore art as a living, evolving practice that shapes and reflects the world around us.

Anchored in the city’s rich artistic landscape, the course combines classroom lectures with daily excursions to Chicago’s outstanding cultural institutions and lesser-known gems.

From the iconic collections of the Art Institute and the MCA to experimental artist-run spaces, West Loop warehouse galleries, working artist studios, and the contributions of Chicago’s key artworld players students will discover why Chicago remains one of the most vital and innovative centers for contemporary art in the United States.

Together, we will explore how notions of beauty shift across time and cultures, how materials carry meaning, how conceptual practices challenge our assumptions, and how art can be both shaped by and act upon politics.

Through guided looking, discussion, and hands-on engagement, students will develop the tools to analyze and interpret artworks across media and time periods.

This is not just a course about art: it is a course about learning to see, think critically, and engage meaningfully with the visual culture that surrounds us, both inside and far beyond the classroom.

This course will meet daily at The Richard H. Driehaus Museum located at 50 East Erie Street, Chicago, Illinois.

Students who complete this course are eligible to receive a partial tuition fee waiver equivalent to $2,000 USD if they subsequently enroll in one of our Master’s Degree Programs at our New York, London, or Online locations (pending application and acceptance to the Master’s Degree program). For further details, please see our Student Policies.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate a broad understanding of key concepts in global art history
  • Understand the importance and limitations of timelines and historiography
  • Develop a grasp of theories and philosophies of art, as well as being able to competently discuss and communicate responses to artworks
  • Become familiar with key styles, movements, and influential artists
  • Draw connections between different artworks, movement, and styles

Photo by Sawyer Bengtson on Unsplash

Highlights

Specialized Art World Knowledge

Build critical thinking skills and gain in-depth insight into key topics shaping today’s global art market.

Designed for Every Art World Path

Varying formats for art enthusiasts, students, working professionals, or those considering a career pivot.

Career-Focused Content

Develop practical skills and industry understanding to support career development in an array of fields.

Day 1

What is art history? Lecture on constructing the artistic canon and how art history is traditionally framed, then visit The Art Institute of Chicago for firsthand engagement with canonical works.

Day 2

Beauty lecture on aesthetics, beauty standards, and shifting ideals over time. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art to explore beauty in modern and contemporary works.

Day 3

Materiality lecture on the significance of materials in art across time. Site visit to selected artist studios to explore material processes firsthand.

Day 4

Conceptualism lecture exploring the evolution of conceptual art, including Duchamp’s urinal and beyond. Go on a gallery crawl of the West Loop to see contemporary conceptual works.

Day 5

Politics lecture on art’s role in political discourse and activism. Visit to the Driehaus Museum, focusing on political and cultural contexts of displayed art.

Faculty

Faculty, Online Courses

Instagram X (Twitter)

Dr. Giovanni Aloi is an art historian specializing in the history and theory of photography, representation of nature, and everyday objects in art. He has published with Columbia University Press, Phaidon, Laurence King, and Prestel and has been appointed co-editor of the University of Minnesota series Art after Nature. Since 2006, Dr. Aloi has been the Editor in Chief of Antennae: The Journal of Nature in Visual Culture. He is a radio contributor and a regular public speaker at the Art Institute of Chicago and Tate Galleries in London. He has co-curated exhibits, including photography, digital, and time-based media. Aloi is a faculty at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Sotheby’s Institute of Art New York where he lectures on the history of the art market and collecting.

Learn More
Instagram X (Twitter)
Learn More

Details

Sample Topics

  • The Classical Tradition
  • Old Masters
  • Late Medieval
  • Renaissance and Baroque Art
  • From the Baroque to Naturalism Impressionism
  • Post-Impressionism and British Art
  • Cubism
  • Surrealism and Futurism

Course Completion

Course participants take away in-depth and valuable insight into the current and future art world, to be sufficiently prepared for a wide-ranging career within the art industry. Those who successfully complete their course will receive a certificate of completion from Sotheby’s Institute of Art.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art course participants come from all over the world, from a wide variety of backgrounds. As they study, travel, and explore the art world alongside each other throughout the program, fierce and long-lasting collaborations are frequently born. Individuals who complete these courses join our network of over 8,000 alumni around the globe who hold top positions at renowned art organizations.

Students who complete this course are eligible to receive a partial tuition fee waiver equivalent to $2,000 USD if they subsequently enroll in one of our Master’s Degree Programs at our New York, London, or Online locations (pending application and acceptance to the Master’s Degree program). For further details, please see our Student Policies.

Requirements

English Language Requirement
Course participants should be proficient in written and spoken English and be able to participate in group discussions and presentations in English. It is recommended that participants have the equivalent level of IELTS score of 6.0 /TOEFL score of 78 IBT, however evidence of test scores is not required to register.

Age Requirement
Courses are open to participants 18 years of age or older, however, we prefer that students have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience to be able to properly engage in the course.

For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions.

Book A Consultation

We encourage interested individuals to book a consultation time with a member of our admissions team to learn more about this course and our registration process.

Please use this link to book a consultation time via phone or video call.

Related Courses

Thank You!

We'll be in touch soon.
For immediate assistance email us.