This course for established and aspiring art world professionals alike takes participants into the dynamic cultural hub of London to discover the infrastructures that produce, display, and sell contemporary art. London’s historic and continuing importance for key players in the art market provides the ideal backdrop for exploring the links between art, business, and the international art market. Lectures and site visits will introduce participants to recent trends in art and key themes and concepts of contemporary art to understand how they influence the art being created today.
For those exploring career options in the vibrant art scene or considering a career change, as well as established professionals aiming to consolidate their knowledge, this course offers invaluable insights into the numerous professional paths available in the global art world by providing in-depth exposure to exclusive small-group conversations with professionals from both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors including artists, art dealers, curators, art fair managers, gallery owners, auction specialists and marketing professionals. For those interested in collecting, this course will explore the intricacies of buying art in today’s market and what to consider for both budding and experienced collectors.
Identify the key players in London’s contemporary art scene, from artists and curators to dealers and auction house specialists.
Understand the variety of career trajectories within the art world and what it means to be an art world professional, as explained by leading experts in the field.
Learn the key components that collectors must consider when building a collection.
Navigate confidently the contemporary art landscape in London by exploring venues and neighborhoods of contemporary art activity.
Become familiar with some of the most important and critically acclaimed artists and recent trends in contemporary art.
Course Leader, London
Astrid Rosetti is an art market expert in the field of post-war and contemporary art sales. With over a decade of expertise, she has provided invaluable advice to private and institutional clients worldwide, specialising in collecting and art investment. As the founder of Rosetti Firmenich Art Advisory, her primary focus is to assist clients in navigating the intricacies of the art world and help them make informed decisions about their collections. Astrid's extensive network of professionals spans across industries and geographies.
Read MoreDay 1: Gain a grounding in the topography of the London art scene through an overview of current key players and the art market at large. Hear from gallerists and tastemakers working in the city about their role and how they navigate the market.
Day 2: Explore the pulse of the upper echelons of market in London during a visit to the Mayfair district. Then, head to Sotheby’s auction house for a behind the scenes tour and Q&A with a department specialist. Learn what must be considered when building a collection.
Day 3: A focus on collecting, collections and collectors will be led through conversations between art advisers, collection managers and gallerists. Later, discover the increasingly important world of art finance, fractional ownership, and investment in art funds through a lecture and discussion.
Day 4: Bridge the art market with the not-for-profit sector in an in-depth discussion at Tate Modern, with a specific focus on the challenges and opportunities that non-profit organizations encounter today. Visit other key institutions in the city such as Studio Voltaire, ICA, and Camden Art Centre.
Day 5: Learn about the market for emerging artists and hear from a collector about what feeds their passion for committing to buying contemporary art.
Course 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.
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.