International Student Services
Sotheby’s Institute of Art–New York understands that studying as an international student presents unique opportunities and challenges, from immigration concerns, to adjusting to life in New York City and everything in between. We are committed to providing the highest level of support to you from the time of admission to graduation and beyond.
The relationship between the international student and the office of Student Services begins after you have been admitted and have confirmed your intent to enroll at Sotheby’s Institute of Art–New York. The office will then guide you through the process of applying for an F-1 student visa, making sure you are prepared to arrive at the U.S. Embassy in your home country with all of the necessary documents and materials required to obtain the visa.
Upon arrival at the New York City campus, Student Services will assist in many areas of your life while enrolled, including help with USCIS (United States Citizenship & Immigration Services) rules and regulations regarding maintaining F-1 status and legal employment authorization.
Some of the services we provide are:
- F-1 Student Immigration Advising and Support
- SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) Administration
- Compliance with Federal Immigration Regulations
- Workshops and programming specifically tailored for International Students
- Advocacy for International Students
Career Development Opportunities for International Students
Any form of work-related activity, including internships and on-campus employment, requires prior authorization. If you are in F-1 status, you may apply for authorization to participate in internships after one academic year of full-time enrollment. There are three types of legal work-related experiences available to students in F-1 status. They are:
On Campus Employment: Students in F-1 status may engage in On Campus Employment as early as their first semester of study. Limited positions are typically available each term. Employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session but may be full-time during official school breaks. Students may engage in on-campus employment only while maintaining F-1 status and until the completion of studies.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT): After successfully completing one full-time academic year of study, students in F-1 status may participate in credit-bearing, paid or unpaid internships. Authorization must be granted by the Student Services Office and DHS (Department of Homeland Security) before starting the internship. CPT is limited to the length of the credit-bearing course that requires the internship. This time is not deducted from the 12 months of Optional Practical Training (see below).
Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT is a 12-month benefit of F-1 status that affords students to engage in internships and/or paid employment to gain experience that is directly related to their field of study following the completion of their studies. Students may submit applications for OPT approval to USCIS within 90 days of their program end-date and up to 60 days after completion of study. Authorization must be received from USCIS prior to starting OPT. While on post-completion OPT, students remain in F-1 status and must continue to abide by F-1 terms and conditions. OPT is not a work visa and may only be utilized once per degree level.
Career Services: Career Services partners with students on formulating their career goals, defining art market target(s), identifying internship opportunities to gain valuable skills and experience, and developing tools / strategies to themselves for target opportunities. We provide one-on-one counseling, workshops, alumni panels, and other programs / events for students to gain information about different career paths and opportunities to network with alumni. Career Services provides an internal portal to promote internship and job opportunities.
Semester in London
Following successful completion of two consecutive semesters of the New York MA Program, you may apply for a third semester of elective study in London. In addition, the third semester requires completion of a Master’s Project or Thesis. If you successfully complete the third semester option at a campus other than New York, you will receive an MA degree from SIA-New York.
Housing
With the exception of the Pre-College program, Sotheby’s Institute of Art does not arrange housing on behalf of students. However, we have secured the following discounts for short-term and/or month-to-month housing, and also provide suggested resources to aid in your move to the City and finding more long-term housing. For more information, visit our Housing Resources page.
Our Student Body & Alumni
Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York welcomes students from around the world to join the premier graduate program in art and its markets. Each year we enroll students from dozens of countries including Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. You will develop lasting relationships with your classmates—future art market leaders—and have access to the Institute’s 8,000 worldwide alumni.
Our alumni have secured opportunities throughout the international art market in companies and organizations such as: Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Phillips, Bonhams, Gagosian Gallery, David Zwirner Gallery, Pace Gallery, Lisson Gallery Artsy, Paddle8, 1stDibs, ArtNet Frieze, TEFAF, The Armory Show, Winter Antiques Show, Winston Art Group, Blue Medium, O’Toole-Ewald Art Associates Inc., Fitz & Co. MoMA, Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum, and FLAG Art Foundation. Recent graduates are doing amazing things in the New York art scene:
Clara Darrason and Jennifer Houdrouge, Co-Founders, The Chimney, Brooklyn, Class of 2015
Clara from Paris and Jennifer from Monaco, recently named among Brooklyn’s 100 Influencers, opened an art gallery unlike any other space in New York.
Maxime Van Melkebeke, Director, Salon 94, Class of 2015
A native Belgian who now calls New York City home, is the Associate Director of Salon 94. Maxime previously worked a Skarstedt and gained work experience at Christie's in the Post-War and Contemporary Art Department. Since 2016, Maxime has also been the director and curator of an online project space, offspace.xyz, working with emerging international artists from New York, Rome, Berlin, Brussels and Copenhagen.
Alena Latchininsky, Senior Post Sale Manager at Sotheby’s, Class of 2010
Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, Alena Latchininsky studied at the Institute’s New York campus from which she earned an MA in Art Business in 2010. During her thesis semester at the Institute, she was offered a position at Sotheby’s auction house in New York, where she continues to work today.
Non-U.S. citizens considering programs at Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York are encouraged to speak with their admissions advisor to learn more about the benefits of studying and working in New York City.
