Certificates

Art History

Register Request Info
Date
September 15 – December 11, 2025
View All Dates
Time
Monday and Tuesday*
10:30 AM – 4:30 PM GMT
Duration
12 Weeks
Location
London
Program
Certificates
Mode of Learning
In-Person
Price
Price
£8,500
You may select your preferred local currency as the payment option.

A discounted rate is available for individuals who wish to participate in both the 12-week Art Business and Art History courses this fall. Contact our admissions team at shortcourses@sia.edu for more information and a discount code to use on our registration form.
Language
English
Topic
Art History
Contact Admissions

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

This course explores the history of art through its distinctive formal and philosophical phases, from ancient civilisations to the digital space. While predominantly focused on Western art, it also includes an introduction to modern and contemporary art from Asia and Africa.

The course examines the effects of technological developments over time and the nature of the global contemporary. At its heart is the discipline of art history and its place within the art ecosystem. Skills essential to the practical operations of the art world such as authentication, conservation, and display are studied through the experiences of guest speakers who are professionals in the art world. Understanding the history of art and the practices associated with its display is crucial to confidently navigate the art world either as a professional or as a serious collector of art.

This course incorporates both in-classroom teaching and on-site visits to a wide spectrum of art world institutions where students can practice their visual analysis skills in front of the original works of art. Visits include artist studios, museums, foundations, private museums, and both established and emerging commercial galleries.

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.

Reading Week: Week commencing October 27

*Please be advised, the timings may vary based on the day’s schedule, however sessions will conclude no later than 5:30pm.

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.

Sessions

Fall

Dates
September 15 – December 11, 2025
Faculty
Viv Lawes
Status
Open
Register Link
Register

Spring

Dates
January 19 – April 14, 2026
Faculty
Viv Lawes
Status
Open
Register Link
Register

Sample Schedule

Week 1

Gain an overview of the discipline of art history and a basic introduction to the art market. Visit the British Museum.

Week 2

Explore the Medieval and Renaissance periods, including the role of patronage in European cultural centres. Visit the National Gallery to see masterpieces from these periods, examining their cultural, technical and economic histories.

Week 3

Discover Baroque and Rococo art, as well as the Enlightenment and Neoclassical art. Visit the Wallace Collection and the Sir John Soane's Museum to further understand the development of aesthetics, art criticism and public museums around these periods.

Week 4

Discuss the rise of Romanticism, Landscape and the Barbizon school, as well as the transition from Realism to Impressionism and the rise of art dealers and alternative exhibition spaces. Visit Tate Britain to examine British artists' contributions to these movements.

Week 5

Understand the impact of Japanese art and Photography on Impressionism and beyond. Visit the Courtauld Collection to see Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artwork.

Week 6

Discover Cubism and its legacy, as well as German Expressionism, Dada and Surrealism. See examples of Futurism at the Estorick Collection.

Week 7

Visit Tate Britain to understand British Modernist movements, and then visit Tate Modern to discover examples of Abstract Impressionism and the international art market's role in the promotion and valuation of the style.

Week 8

Explore Post-War art movements and Postmodernism, including concepts of the Contemporary and the Global. Visit Whitechapel Gallery and hear from a contemporary art curator.

Week 9

Discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in the art world, including Modern and Contemporary Art in China and Southeast Asia, as well as Africa. Visit commercial galleries around London.

Week 10

Gain insight into how technology is reshaping art creation, dissemination, and the market through Digital Art, New Media, and the emergence of NFTs. Discuss the importance of Street Art and its impact on contemporary art and the market. Take a walking tour of London's street art.

Week 11

Discover the importance of provenance research in the art market and museum spaces and discuss ethical issues in the art market. Take an all-day visit to Oxford’s Pitt Rivers and Ashmolean Museums to focus on cases of restitution and the ethical responsibilities of institutions.

Week 12

Explore conservation practices, technological developments and their contribution to art history and the market, in addition to a visit to a conservation studio. Present final projects and wrap-up the course.

Faculty

Course Leader, Summer Program, London

Viv Lawes is an author, journalist, lecturer and curator with over 25 years’ experience in the art market, combining an extensive hands-on career in art business with academic research and teaching in Higher Education, Continuing Education, and public-facing organisations. Viv studied History at York University and graduated with an MA in Fine and Decorative Art from Sotheby’s Institute in 1997, where her thesis focused on the textile trade between England and India/China in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Learn More
Learn More

Details

Course Combinations

For individuals looking for an expansive grounding in the art world, Art History can be paired with the 12 week Art Business course to create a full time (4 days per week) schedule of study over the course of a semester at a discounted tuition rate (Art Business/Art History).

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.

Students Will Learn

  • To recognise the major stylistic changes in Western art history, from Medieval art through today’s contemporary market
  • To demonstrate a sound understanding of how and why these stylistic developments took place
  • To develop skills of visual analysis through first-hand observation of art works
  • To recognize the intersectionality between the fine arts, the applied arts, design and architecture
  • To understand the importance of provenance and valuation in the art market

Sample Topics

  • The role of patronage in European cultural centers during the Renaissance
  • The development of aesthetics, art criticism and public museums around the Baroque and Rococo periods
  • The impact of Japanese art and photography on Impressionism and beyond
  • Diversity and inclusion in the art world, including Modern and Contemporary Art in China, Southeast Asia and Africa
  • The emergence of Digital Art, New Media and NFTs, and how technology is reshaping the art world

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.

Book A Consultation

We encourage interested individuals to book a consultation time with the course leader, Jeffrey Boloten, to learn more about this course and the student experience. If you are unable to find a time that works for you, please feel free to reach out to us directly at shortcourses@sia.edu.

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.