5-Day Intensive

Collecting Contemporary Art: Markets and Practice

The price of this course will increase to $2750 on September 1, 2026.
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Date
November 9 – 13, 2026
Time
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM GMT
Duration
5 Days
Location
New York
Program
5-Day Intensive
Mode of Learning
In-Person
Price
Price
$2500
Language
English
Topics
Collecting, Contemporary Art, Art Market
Contact Admissions

+44 (0)20 7462 3232 +1 212-331-7700 shortcourses@sia.edu

Collecting Contemporary Art: Markets and Practice is a five-day immersive course in New York designed for collectors and art enthusiasts seeking to deepen their understanding of today’s contemporary art world.

Focusing on the relationship between artistic practice and the market, the course explores how artists build careers, how galleries champion artists and place works, and how value emerges within the contemporary art ecosystem.

Participants will develop the critical frameworks needed to navigate the New York gallery landscape, discover artists with confidence, and cultivate a personal collecting perspective informed by both cultural and market considerations.

Through lectures, discussions, and site-based learning, the program focuses on how to approach potential acquisitions within the vast landscape of offerings.

Grounded by visits to galleries and the Marquee auction previews, participants will experience how firsthand examination of artworks coupled with market intelligence is crucial to a collector’s decision-making. Guest speakers will include collectors, advisors, and industry insiders.

Practical insights around working within a budget, navigating relationship networks, and evaluating risk, participants will also consider the broader role of collectors in supporting artists, building collections and contributing to the cultural life of contemporary art.

By the end of the course, participants will have developed a deeper understanding of the economic structures of the retail gallery and auction business, the dynamics of pricing within the primary and secondary marketplace, and the principles that underpin thoughtful and informed collecting.

Whether beginning a collection or refining an existing one, they will leave with greater confidence to articulate their collecting interest and engage meaningfully with the contemporary art world.

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

  • To understand how and where value is created in the global art market
  • To articulate your unique collecting perspective and prepare to apply it to acquisitions
  • To explore the offerings across London’s commercial gallery system, and make informed decisions regarding your collection
  • To critically analyze current market trends and think beyond these cycles

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.

Faculty

Adjunct Faculty, MA in Art Business, New York and Online Courses

Betsy Thomas is the founder and director of Thomas Art Advisory LLC, an art advisory and appraisal firm based in New York. She works closely with private collectors and institutions advising them on how to build high-quality collections as well as managing sales of estates, private and corporate collections as well as helping them navigate the charitable donation landscape.

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Details

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.

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