Exploring the range of contexts in which curating now takes place – institutional, independent, commercial, and digital – the emphasis will be on the role of the curator as mediator, facilitator, auteur, producer, and exhibition maker.
Participants will benefit from the experience and expertise of professionals in the field who will speak to a variety of different types of curatorial projects. From working with contemporary artists to organizing events and exhibitions within public and private collections, participants will come away with a nuanced understanding of new opportunities and emerging trends afforded by the growth of curatorial activity in exhibition formats and sites.
This is the first of two evening courses on curating to be offered in Autumn 2025. This course is for those who have an interest in knowing more about contemporary curatorial practices as a first step to pursuing curating as a profession and/or transferring skills to mobilise a career change into the art world.
The second of these courses will centre on practical skills with a project-oriented focus. It will offer an introduction to the skills needed to devise, develop and deliver a curatorial project, and to situate it in a rapidly changing landscape.
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.
Articulate a range of expanded definitions of curating with reference to institutional, independent and digital contexts.
Develop an awareness of how the local and global contexts for curating art has evolved over the last 15 years to position curatorial practices today.
Understand a variety of contemporary curatorial approaches and methodologies as they pertain to working with artworks and artists .
Discuss and debate with developing confidence the ways in which theoretical perspectives may be used to develop and critique curatorial practices, both one’s own and others.
Synthesise knowledge and insight from various curatorial practices to start developing a cohesive direction and understanding of the types of projects you may want to work on in the future.
Course Leader: Curator Academy
Originally from Chicago, Amy worked as a curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum from 2007 to 2013, in three departments (Asia; Word & Image; and Sculpture, Metalwork, Ceramics & Glass), undertaking a wide range of curatorial activities and working on both major exhibitions and capital projects. She left the Museum to devise and lead the semester course ‘Art Museums, Galleries & Curating’ at Sotheby’s Institute of Art before returning to the V&A in 2016 as Head of the Learning Academy where she led a team which delivered the adult learning program for the Museum, including courses, workshops, conferences, and professional development.
Read MoreCourse participants take away in-depth and valuable insight into the current and future art world. 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 past participants 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.
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.
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.