Master’s Degree

MA in Art Business

Date: Spring & Fall 2026
Duration: 1+ Year
Location: New York
Program: Master’s Degree
Mode of Learning: In-Person
Language: English
Topic: Art Business

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Step into the global art market. Master how art is valued, traded, and circulated, and shape the business of art.

The global art market is the circulatory system that keeps the art world in motion. Business transactions are its lifeblood, moving works from the studio to the gallery, the auction room, the collector’s home, and ultimately into museums.

Along the way, artists, dealers, curators, art advisors, appraisers, and auction house specialists engage in a complex collaboration that builds and sustains the value of both the work and the careers and interests tied to it. Our pioneering Art Business program provides a pathway into this dynamic ecosystem.

The MA in Art Business at Sotheby’s Institute of Art was the first program of its kind, and its innovative curriculum continues to set the industry standard.

Inherently interdisciplinary, it draws on fields such as finance and management, law and ethics, and art market studies to help students develop both a critical and practical understanding of the art business.

Its distinctive approach balances academic rigor with real-world application and offers privileged access to leading art institutions worldwide.

Highlights

Build a Portfolio

Signature student projects include designing themed auction sales catalogues, from curating, establishing provenance and literature notes, to condition and pre-sale estimates for each lot.

Experiential Learning

International study trips and visits are significant learning events, where travel, experiencing art in situ, and informal access to tutors come together to create an immersive and enriching experience.

Live and Learn in a Global Art Hub

Study in New York, the heartbeat of the international art world, home to renowned galleries, museums, and auction houses, and essential exhibitions and art fairs.

Next Steps

Faculty

Director, Sotheby's Institute of Art-New York

Natasha Degen is the Director of Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York. An acclaimed academic and internationally recognized authority in her field, she brings two decades of experience at the forefront of art market scholarship, as well a long track record as a leader, writer, and educator. A sought-after voice on the creative industries, their markets, and the institutions that shape them, she appears frequently in the media as a commentator and expert.

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Faculty, MA in Art Business, New York and Online

Judith Prowda has been a member of the Sotheby’s institute of Art Masters of Art Business Faculty since 2007. She is an attorney, mediator, and arbitrator focused on art law, copyright, entertainment and commercial law. She is a founding member of Stropheus Art Law, a collective of art law and business specialists who offer unbundled services to the art community.

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

Maria brings over 25 years of international experience in the art world, first at museums – National Museum of Catalan Art, MNAC, in Barcelona and at the Louvre in Paris- then at Sotheby’s Auction House in London. During her time at Sotheby’s, she gained experience in all aspects of the auction world with a focus on business and client development. She has participated in numerous auctions and worked closely with all Sotheby’s European offices.

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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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Field Study

Field study is a hallmark of the master's programs, taking graduate students around the globe to explore established and emerging markets during key events and with an itinerary ranging from art fairs to visits to artist studios and private collections.

“...study trips abroad are a great way to cement these learnings on the ground, and experience art in the flesh, something paramount to a complete understanding of both contemporary art and the art market.” — Alexis Sarfati ’20

Details

Academic Structure

Blending academic inquiry with practical experience, the MA in Art Business program harnesses perspectives from multiple disciplines while keeping pace with the rapidly evolving global art market.

Required coursework builds a strong foundation in key areas such as art market research, valuation, finance, law, and collection management, while elective offerings give students the flexibility to tailor their studies to their individual interests and career goals.

The Master’s degree is awarded for 30 taught credits across semesters one and two, as well as the completion of a 6-credit thesis or capstone project in the third semester.

The MA in Art Business culminates in a capstone project, which can take the form of a traditional, long-form academic thesis or a more flexible Master’s Project (often a business plan or curatorial project).

Students may also elect to extend their studies for an additional semester and either transfer to the Institute’s campus in London or return to New York to pursue core courses in Contemporary Art or Fine and Decorative Art and Design.

View required courses and electives in our Master’s New York Catalog here.

Tuition & Fees

Spring 2026 Entry

Tuition: $67,608
Travel Fee: $5,500
Materials Fee: $824
International Student Fee: $206

Fall 2026 Entry

Tuition: $75,500

Tuition includes participation in the field study component.

For more information on scholarships, financial aid, tuition, and program fees, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

From visa information for international students to course credits, find answers on our FAQ page. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, contact an Admissions counselor.

Student Policies

Explore our library of academic and campus policies here. All students who enroll for graduate study must agree to the Terms and Conditions upon accepting their offer of admittance.

Enterprise Studio

The Enterprise Studio was created as an extra-curricular program for Master’s students to receive training and support for new business ventures, culminating in a start-up pitch competition, the Gavel. Through close access to mentors, students have the chance to shape their plans from ideation to execution with the winning Gavel team receiving significant seed funding for their future business.

Accreditation

Sotheby’s Institute of Art-NY holds permanent degree-granting authority from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Student Spotlight

MA Art Business alumna Adefolakunmi Adenugba has made waves in the art market through her company ISE-DA, an art advisory focused on cultural stewardship of Black contemporary art. Her extensive work that includes cultivating new Black art collectors landed her on the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Living in New York City

Located in the center of Manhattan, the Institute’s New York campus offers easy access to the city’s extraordinary cultural and historical resources. First-hand encounters with artwork, exhibition spaces, and the people who run them are an integral part of the learning experience and a key aspect of the program.

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Master’s Degree