News & Ideas

On October 15, 2020, Sotheby's Institute Master's degree students received letters from our Directors with important updates to the Spring 2021 semester. As we believe this information may be of interest or useful to other members of the Sotheby's Institute community, we have published the letters in their entirety.

Christine Kuan, CEO/Director, Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York, announced the appointment of Hillary Burchfield as Director of Career Services. In this role, Hillary will oversee career development programming, career advising, and global employer relations for our MA programs and international alumni network.

In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill and the Black Lives Matter protests invigorated social justice movements, Sotheby’s Institute students and alumni stepped up. Below is a showcase of recent initiatives that have harnessed the power of art and advocacy for today’s most important causes.

Sotheby's Institute of Art and ESCP Business School sign a partnership agreement offering an exchange and dual degree programme. Learn more..

Updates and information regarding the COVID-19 Virus.

For more than 50 years, Sotheby’s Institute of Art has been the leader in training art market professionals and cultural stewards for careers in the future art world. As we continue to monitor and respond to the public health situation regarding COVID-19, our exceptional faculty are evolving our curricula and teaching methodology to meet the new demands of art business and how art impacts cultural dialogue.

You may have read the statement we published on our website on June 2. While we felt compelled to voice our outrage against yet more manifestations of the systemic racism that exists in America, and do so with urgency, we fully acknowledge that such a statement ultimately needs to be backed up by actions.

Following the recent horrific, painful, and heartbreaking events we have seen unfold in America, we want to reaffirm Sotheby’s Institute of Art’s unwavering commitment to racial justice, to equal rights for all, and to our Institute’s policy of diversity and inclusion.

A magazine created by Sotheby's Institute MA students from the Bedford Square campus in London.

You don’t have to travel to the world’s art capitals to see great art.

In January, London MA Contemporary Art students curated a series of shows at the Cookhouse Gallery in Chelsea College of Art and Design.

Gareth Fletcher, the Program Director of the Sotheby’s Institute Master’s Degree in Art Logistics, and Sarah Monk, the Director of the London Art Fair, explain what it actually takes to get things signed, sealed, and delivered in the art market.

9 reasons to love the Sotheby’s Institute libraries.

In her new book, faculty Catherine McCormack guides the reader through the stories behind 40 spectacular ceilings around the globe. Check out a bonus chapter about a ceiling that may have been partially painted by a surprising artist.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Woolfson as Director of Sotheby’s Institute of Art — London, effective October 14th.

How did the Guerrilla Girls develop their distinctive form of artistic activism and manage to capture the attention of an international audience?

Sotheby’s Institute of Art is delighted to announce a new partnership with CENTRO, Mexico's leading institution for higher education in architecture, design, and film on its new MA in Contemporary Art, Markets, and Management (Maestria en Contemporáneo Arte, Mercados y Negocios).

Christine Kuan, CEO/Director, Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York announced the appointment of Claude Grunitzky as Visiting Faculty to the MA Art Business program. At the Institute, Claude will be lecturing across various MA courses and working on future planning for panels, events, and field study. Learn more...

Artsy has been busy revolutionizing the art industry ever since its launch in 2012. We tracked down not one, not two, but five Sotheby’s Institute alumni working for the art market giant to get the scoop on what it took to get there and what it’s like on the inside.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art in collaboration with Korea Arts Management Services has developed a bespoke executive education program for arts professionals in Korea.

Christine Kuan, Director/CEO, Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York, has appointed Brendan Burns as Consulting Director for the MA in Art Business program. Brendan Burns has spent over 20 years at leading media/technology, graphic arts, educational and financial institutions including Culture.tech, 1000|Museums, Moody’s, Salomon Brothers, and AdOne.

MA Contemporary Art students reflects on the experience of co-curating an exhibition of new work by MA Fine Art students at Chelsea College of Art and Design.

Every Biennale, a new Director is appointed and tasked to bring their own curatorial vision to the Central Pavilion and the Arsenale. Faculty Lilian Cameron examines the logistical challenges and curatorial opportunities tackled by four of those Directors.

Want to know what it was like working for the art fair at this pivotal moment and what it took to get there? Luckily, Sotheby’s Institute knows people on the inside with the answers.

Dr. Morgan Falconer, Director of the MA Contemporary Art program at Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York, has appointed Aliza Shvarts to the faculty.

Rich in culture and history, Bedford Square has been home to many of London's most prestigious people and organizations throughout the years.

With the help of our expert faculty, we look back on the major developments of the past five decades to better understand the art market’s multibillion-dollar present and share projections for its future.

Ever wonder what it’s like working in the art world after you receive your degree? We spoke to one of our 1970s graduates, Leila Heller, and two recent graduates employed at her gallery, to get a peek at what happens once the cap and gown come off.

London faculty Catherine McCormack examines the presence of female artists at the 2019 Venice Biennale.

Christine Kuan, Director and CEO of Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York, has appointed Erin Sircy as the new Director of Administration.

Ahead of his new two-week Summer course on British Art and Architecture 1700-1900 in London, course leader Adam Busiakiewicz examines three legendary 18th-century portrait painters.

Transcript of Sotheby's Institute-NY Director/CEO Christine Kuan's commencement welcome address to the Class of 2018.

How can you set yourself apart from the competition and become a valuable asset for the art world’s top employers? We asked our network of experts to share their advice on what it takes to succeed in the art world.

As Sotheby’s Institute is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, we wanted to highlight some of the alumni from the Master’s programs who are making strides in the art world.

Faculty Catherine McCormack visited London's National Gallery to gaze upon and dissect a Diego Velázquez masterpiece.

Jos Hackforth-Jones, Director/CEO, Sotheby’s Institute of Art-London announced the appointment of Joe Watson as the new Director of Summer and Public Programmes.

In honor of Women’s History Month, Sotheby’s Institute of Art is reflecting on the accomplishments of women artists including a momentous Sotheby’s sale, The Female Triumphant, during their Masters week.

Performance artist Marina Abramović once based her work on her own physical presence, but today she is gradually withdrawing from her works.

Christine Kuan, Director/CEO, Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York announced the appointment of Dr. Morgan Falconer as the Director of the MA in Contemporary Art program. 

The sprawling urban sublime known for its sunny skies, Hollywood stars, and entertainment giants can now add “art world leader” to its resume.

Despite technological innovations and sophisticated security methods, art crime continues to make headlines. Institute faculty and art crime expert, Gareth Fletcher, sheds some light on this dark side of the global art world.

How do you use the power of a story for arts and culture? We gathered arts professionals skilled storytelling to share their thoughts and strategies.

To commemorate a new partnership between Sotheby's Institute and Ewha Womans University in Seoul, we explore what makes South Korea a place to watch.

What does it take to organize the movement of art from buyer to seller? Sotheby’s Institute students recently got one answer.

Are you interested in owning a gallery, working in an auction house, or operating an art fair? Four women leaders in the art world share their tips on how to succeed in this competitive industry.

Long before people were practicing the art of the selfie, recording their everyday lives or sitting glued to their TV screens watching the lives of others, there was Andy Warhol.

Before the 1990s there were only 50; now there are over 300 art fairs and biennials taking place on an almost daily basis around the world...

Christine Kuan, Director/CEO of Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York, announced the appointment of Kay Chubbuck to the role of Director of Non-Degree Programs.

Faculty Federica Carlotto examines the interaction between art and luxury, and the most common expression of that intersection: the window display.

MA Art Business alumna Kate (Duggan) McGlasson on her role at Paddle8 and her path to a rewarding career in the arts.

How can we increase public participation in the arts and culture? This question was the lightning rod for discussion during our Arts and Culture Colloquium Series in Los Angeles.

Each Fall and Spring, Master’s degree students mount a series of exhibitions in the landmark Art Deco General Electric building in midtown Manhattan.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art-London is pleased to announce the launch of Art of Luxury, a groundbreaking, new 15-week immersive introduction to the fast-changing global industry of luxury goods and services.

Faculty Kathy Battista and Oxford University Press launched a "Women artists in conversation" series, which shines a light on both established and emerging female artists.

In his book, New Art, New Markets, faculty Iain Robertson examines three types of emerging markets for contemporary art.

When the Pulitzer Prize winner dropped by for a discussion at Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York, he doled out some priceless art world advice.

For seven Thursdays this Fall, cultural luminaries and leaders will join Sotheby's Institute of Art in downtown LA to address the challenges and opportunities facing their organizations and fields.

London faculty Dr. Flavia Frigeri discusses her tips for new curators, how to work with living artists, and what it takes to curate a blockbuster show.

Online Learning faculty Giovanni Aloi shines a light on this unique collecting practice.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York alumni reflect on the experiences and education that helped them pursue careers in the art world.

A guide to the basic tools of the trade for inspecting and documenting a work of art.

Christine Kuan, Director/CEO, Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York announced the appointment of Ashley Devenish Robinson as the new Director of Career Services.

As the field of curating, and the very definition of curator, shifts, here are three trends defining curating today, as identified by the MA in Contemporary Art program faculty at Sotheby's Institute-London.

The next time you find yourself in a museum or gallery, looking at an Old Master painting, consider these 6 questions from our faculty.

What do you get when you bring together some of the most notable women in the art world? One obvious outcome: a packed room full of attendees hanging on every word.

Chantal Brotherton-Ratcliffe, subject leader in Old Masters paintings studies for Sotheby’s Institute of Art-London, talks about finding her path to the art world.

Wondering how much your fine art or heirlooms might yield? Consigning your work is one way to guarantee the best price available.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York is delighted to launch a new series of lectures taught by the world-class Artsy Engineering and Product Team.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York is pleased to offer five new scholarships.

Sotheby's Frances Christie sat down with former Sotheby's Institute-London CEO Jos Hackforth-Jones to discuss two recent major sales she spearheaded: the private collections of David Bowie and the Howard Hodgkins.

It's officially summer and the warm weather has our online instructor, Georgia Krantz, dreaming about her ideal art vacations.

The SIAconnect job portal channels career opportunities to Sotheby’s Institute of Art MA Students.

A new generation of art world talent is emerging. It's driven, diverse, collaborative, curious, global, and passionate.

Former Tate staff member and Sotheby’s Institute of Art-London faculty Lilian Cameron shares insights around curating and how the industry is evolving.

Judith Prowda (MA Art Business faculty at Sotheby's Institute-New York) has established a new art tribunal in The Hague.

Outsider Art is something that cannot be confined to a simple categorical definition. What is clear, however, is that it has been slowly moving into the spotlight.

Tucked away in London’s bucolic Bedford Square, Sotheby’s Institute of Art maintains a unique collection of fakes, forgeries, and reproductions.

Faculty Chantal Brotherton-Ratcliffe discusses her unusual teaching methods and the reason you should wear sunglasses when looking at a Caravaggio painting.

Frances Christie sat down with Sotheby’s Institute-London CEO Jos Hackforth-Jones to share her insights about leadership, auctions, and the role of women in the art world.

Democracy is more than an ideal. It is a practice. And there are perhaps no better places to practice than in school and in the United States Senate.

MA Arts Management student Waheeda Al Hadhrami reflects on Arts Advocacy Day, an annual event that brings together artists, scholars, students, and government officials to advocate for the arts.

MA Art Business student Badir McCleary reflects on Arts Advocacy Day, an annual event that brings together artists, scholars, students, and government officials to advocate for the arts.

MA Arts Management student Katelyn McClure reflects on Arts Advocacy Day, an annual event that brings together artists, scholars, students, and government officials to advocate for the arts.

Self-Help Graphics & Art in LA is a testament to artistic practice as community empowerment.

Once reserved for art fairs and established institutions, highly shareable experiences are popping up around cities more and more. Last month, three immersive multi-room installations opened in New York.

Faculty Roxanna Zarnegar's list of the top 11 entrepreneurs in the art world today.

MA Art Business graduate Brunno Silva speaks about a new series of exhibitions he’s curating in Berlin.

A guide to the most common terms used in the auction industry.

Transcript of Dominique Lévy's commencement address for the class of 2017 at Sotheby's Institute-NY.

Discover the best of the art world at your fingertips in New York this summer.

Dr. Diana Newall examines four extraordinary centuries in the history of European art.

Jonathan’s self-declared medium is the “expanded practice of painting,” blurring the lines between painting, performance, video, and photography.

Discover the best of the art world at your fingertips in London this summer.

A tour of the Art Deco, Modernist, and Postmodernist gems all hidden in plain view within several blocks of Sotheby's Institute.

Renowned art advisor and gallerist Dominique Lévy will address Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York Class of 2017 Master’s degree students on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Sotheby’s auction house.

Faculty Roxanna Zarnegar looks at the 3 critical skills present in art world leaders that require that special flow across creative and logic.

MA Contemporary Art students Sam Roknivand and Angela Kim reflect on the curatorial experience.

Multidisciplinary artist Jonathan VanDyke on the challenges facing artists today, and how to combat them and start to build an artistic career.

Read an excerpt from faculty Gareth Fletcher’s chapter in "Cultural Heritage Law and Ethics: Mapping Recent Developments."

MA Contemporary Art student Ecem Senyuva reflects on the experience of co-curating an exhibition of new work by MA Fine Art students at Chelsea College of Art and Design.

Eight days of exhibitions, five days of sales, and ten auctions totaled $78.4 million at Sotheby’s. Learn about five of the lots that topped the million dollar mark.

What does it take to assess the value of a work? Where can this skill be applied? To get the answers, we went straight to our in-house source.

Old Masters expert Chantal Brotherton-Ratcliffe shares her brief guide to the remarkable work in each gallery, and a recommended reading list on the period.

Each Fall and Spring, Master’s degree students mount a series of exhibitions in the landmark Art Deco General Electric building in midtown Manhattan.

Forgery, looting, hidden treasures from antiquity, notorious art crimes, and everything in between.

A conversation with Marcus Verhagen, MA Contemporary Art Program Director in London.

Faculty Kim Mitchell takes a close look at one of the marketing world’s "softer" but vital metrics.

If you’re considering a career as an art advisor, here’s what you should know to get started on your professional path.

Art as we know it today began at the same time and place as the foundation of our financial systems: the Italian Renaissance. Since then, the paths of art and finance have evolved in often parallel ways.

Ann-Marie Richard, wants students’ perception of objects to be built upon an unparalleled, well-versed foundation of knowledge and skills.

What does the "scores on doors" rating the hygiene of UK & US restaurants have to do with art provenance?

The director of Sotheby’s Institute of Art-Los Angeles and the Head of the MA Art Business program sat down to discuss the challenges, benefits, and predictions for the future of art fairs in Los Angeles.

10 Sotheby's Institute of Art-LA students, 4 lecture presentations, 2 performance experiences.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art is proud to support an annual research award through the Art Libraries Association of North America for undergraduate students writing on the subjects of art collecting and the art market since 2014.

How do you know when you’ve found the one? When it comes to buying art, the answer is not always that clear.

Ed Ruscha’s 1969 print portfolio Stains signifies a paradigm shift in the artist’s practice, marking a departure from painting in favor of experimental printmaking using ephemeral materials.

Amy Shimshon-Santo, Head of the MA Arts Management program, discovers a new research tool for diversity data in the creative industries.

Alumna Nicole Bray guides private and corporate clients through each step of acquiring, selling, managing, and displaying artwork. Here are four contemporary artists to keep an eye on.

Consultant Lecturer Anna Moszynska pioneered the study of contemporary art at Sotheby's Institute during the late 1980s. 30 years on, she reflects on her path to the art world.

Read an excerpt from faculty Morgan Falconer’s chapter in "Ugo Rondinone: Pure Sunshine."

MA Fine & Decorative Art & Design alumna, Vanessa Kramer Hallett, spoke to Musée Magazine about her role as Worldwide Director of Photographs at Phillips.

The characteristics of art world entrepreneurs are not dissimilar from entrepreneurs in other fields. Taking risks, thinking unconventionally, being curious, offering often-radical transparency, and even eschewing personal taste are recognized traits of most entrepreneurs.

This new series of talks will examine artistic practices considering contemporary notions of time and duration.

Title insurance is a topic that’s often overlooked. But in the multi-million dollar art market, nothing could be more essential than protecting the investment of art.

Read an excerpt from faculty Gareth Fletcher’s chapter in "Cultural Heritage Law and Ethics: Mapping Recent Developments."

So, you’ve decided to collect art. But how do you start?

Cuba boasts some of the top visual artists, ballet dancers, and theatre troupes as well as world-recognized musical talent. And on any given day, performance halls, museums and galleries are filled with an eager, local audience.

The origin story of museums in the United States is fundamentally one of business.

Dr. Wolf brings a wealth of art knowledge and expertise to the Institute from his years of experience as Head Librarian at the Menil Collection and as faculty at UT Austin.

Our alumni share what it’s like to work within 3 major career paths in the art world.

The perilous political and economic landscape, coupled with declining audiences over the past decade, forced arts institutions to stop and ask: what do we do now?

This innovative MA is designed for a new generation of artists looking to combine the entrepreneurial acumen to build a sustainable creative practice with a professional life in the arts.

No one could have seen it all at Art Basel Miami Beach with over 300 galleries exhibiting over the course of just 5 days. Betty Briceño offers a selection of 7 artists from the fair to keep on your radar.

In the final months of the Venice Biennale, our London MA Contemporary Art students were there to soak it all in. Here are some of the highlights from the celebrated exhibition.

Read an excerpt from the introduction to "Art Business Today: 20 Key Topics," edited by Jos Hackforth-Jones, Director of Sotheby’s Institute in London, and Iain Robertson, Head of Art Business in London.

Martin Creed has constructed much of his work as an open-ended question. Is it better to think or not to think? Is it a concept or a feeling? Is it better with the lights on or off?

On the occasion of a talk by Martin Creed at Sotheby's Institute, an MA Contemporary Art student offers her thoughts on one of the artist's most rememberable works, "Work No. 360."

At first viewing, Creed's work is marked by, amongst other things, the absurd, silliness, play, and whimsy. However, alongside the playfulness and outwardly dadaesque absurdity, there is pattern and order.

Whether you are conceptualizing an exhibit, considering a career as a curator, or have an interest in applying the curation process to your own field, we've got some top tips for you.

Emerging artist and MA candidate, Danny Glass, represents a new generation of figurative painters depicting subjects as they engage with art.

Turns out, the term "networking" now has such negative connotations that it’s actually going out of fashion in some circles.

Curators facilitate the translation of artwork from its place of production to a space of public display. In bringing a variety of artwork together in one space, the curator is communicating the collective impact of the artwork to the viewers.

What you should know when it comes to trends at the intersection of art and investment.

Alumna Courtenay Moon explores one of the earliest forms of human expression: ceramics.

From Yayoi Kusama to Rashaad Newsome, here are the must-see gallery exhibitions on view now in New York City.

Meet Jenny Gibbs, the Director of the MA Art Business Program.

Understanding the lives of great artists can help us better comprehend what they wish to tell us.

Site installation is a key task when curating an art show. The deliberate placement of artwork within a space allows the curator to guide a viewer through an exhibition.

The two institutions will jointly organize a series of events each year featuring major international figures and emerging artists.

To celebrate what would have been Robert Rauschenberg's 92nd birthday on October 22nd, we take a look back at his past experiments with art and technology.

The giddy 1920s and glamorous 1930s were decades of unprecedented innovation in the field of high jewelry design.

How do you find the artist for your first show? That's first question on the road to becoming a curator.

If you are trying to disrupt something, change something, or build something new, the art world is the ultimate place to be an entrepreneur.

From the Chapman Brothers to Ai Weiwei, here are our picks for the best gallery exhibitions on view now and post-Frieze Week in Britain’s artsy capital.

Tom Christopherson (Head of Art and Law Studies, Sotheby's Institute-London), offers an examination of the legal roles that confidentiality and transparency play in the art world.

We sat in on one of our curating classes in New York to catch a glimpse of the questions and challenges that arise during the first stages of the curation process. Here are some highlights.

As the city prepares to welcome a wave of gallerists, artists, collectors, and aficionados from every corner of the globe, we’re here to help get you ready to navigate the main fairs in town.

As we lament the end of summer, the art market is gearing up for a busy fall. We’ve rounded up 9 of the the best fairs for you to explore this season.

Art fairs play an important role in the Sotheby's Institute MA curriculum, both in the classroom and as part of each program’s global study trips.

While great art can speak to us from across the centuries, much can be lost in translation. Understanding the lives of the old masters can help us better comprehend what these artists wish to tell us.

In a long-awaited decision, the Sotheby's auction house announced it will integrate Latin American art into its contemporary auction sales in New York.

Navigating the complex territory of contemporary art through the work of 6 practitioners.

To celebrate what would have been Man Ray’s 127th birthday on August 27, we’ve put together some of our favorite quotes from the surrealist photographer and painter.

Michael VanHartingsveldt, an alumnus of the Sotheby's Institute of Art-Los Angeles, discusses how travel helped him explore his passion for art and find a sense of belonging.

Ines Familiar Miller is an MA Arts Management alumna of the Sotheby’s Institute of Art-Los Angeles. She examines the role that fundraising plays in the future and impact of the arts.

It is no secret that technology is entwined with the future of nearly every field we know. The world of art is no different.

Four women in the art market discuss their career path's challenges and triumphs.

Why and how has a new language for curation emerged? Consultant lecturer, Dr. Martin Waldmeier, has a few theories.

Park Avenue artist, Lluís Lleó, gave an exclusive talk to Sotheby’s Institute-New York students about his growth as an artist, inspiration behind Morpho’s Nest in the Cadmium House, and offered some memorable pieces of advice.

Art Fairs are booming. The international Art Market Studies Association is holding a conference to find out why.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art is delighted to announce a new internship opportunity with Sotheby’s Museum Network.

Top Five Tips from Art Industry Experts.

Ann-Marie Richard possesses a rare combination of academic expertise combined with art market acumen.

The Fountain House Gallery's latest show, "The Art of Fashion," showcases more than 70 works, in mediums including drawing, painting, sculpture, textile and video.

We asked our faculty to recommend the best books to read this summer.

The celebrated megashow, Documenta is not to be missed. So, the London MA Contemporary Art team headed to Kassel to report on some highlights from the show.

Sotheby’s Institute alumnae Clara Darrason and Jennifer Houdrouge, recently named among Brooklyn’s 100 Influencers, talk about working their connections, curating cutting-edge shows, and opening Bushwick's coolest new gallery, The Chimney.

Scouring second-hand shops, flea markets, and the streets of New York, Robert Rauschenberg made a name for himself creating some of his best-known works from other people's "junk".

Former MA in Fine and Decorative Arts and Design students put research into practice.

Students, faculty, and art world professionals offered their wisdom to the recent Sotheby's Institute of Art graduates. Check out the greatest advice we heard for entering and thriving in the world of art!

Curating a show with a living artist is like being an accomplice. Faculty Katherine Madden on her recent gallery show with Nathaniel Mary Quinn at Half Gallery.

Basquiat breaks records, Jeff Koons unveils a new installation, and other noteworthy art moments this May: here's what you need to know about the art world.

A former businessman returns to school, and earns so much more than grades

Open the doors of Bedford Square on 28 June-1 July 2017

Stephan Pascher on Los Angeles history and the artist Henry Taylor

An alumna shares the story of how she turned her passion into an international business

Forgery, fakes, theft and other art crimes unveiled by Sotheby's Institute Faculty

London's Program Director of the MA in Fine and Decorative Art and Design discusses "The Football Players" by Albert Gleizes, that inspired his latest book "Sport and Modernism in the Visual Arts"

Announcing enhanced internship opportunities, new group mentorships, and an exclusive job project bank via its expanded relationship with Sotheby’s auction house.

Chris “Daze” Ellis shares the beginnings of his career in the infamous 1980s New York City scene and his evolution from painting subway cars to exhibiting in galleries in an exclusive artist talk...

A Conversation with London Semester Faculty Lilian Cameron

Old and New cross-collecting practices, by David Bellingham

Institute faculty Kathy Battista is reevaluating the legacy of Minimalism, and in typical minimalist fashion, she’s doing it subtly.

Panelists for Sotheby’s Institute of Art Speaker Series, art world pioneers, along with bestselling author and art entrepreneur Magnus Resch, share the challenges and triumphs that they face as gallery owners

Jenny Gibbs is a rare talent who brings to the Institute an invaluable blend of arts management expertise, industry insight, and academic leadership

We celebrate successful women who have each helped shape the art world to what it is today.

Rauschenberg, Anish Kapoor, Calder and more. Must-visit exhibitions and shows happening inside and out in New York this summer!

Discover the best of the art world at your fingertips in London this summer

Sotheby's Sales and Fourth Quarter Results, Armory Show, Global Gallery Report, and Emerging Markets - our roundup of recent art market happenings

Discover the latest publication by faculty Marcus Verhagen

Art fairs play an important role in the Sotheby's Institute MA curriculum, both in the classroom and as part of each program’s global study trips.

Gregorio Cámara Castellanos is an alumnus of Sotheby's Institute of Art in New York and the director of JustMad Art Fair

Hear from NY Faculty on February 15-18, 2017 at the largest international gathering of professionals in the visual arts

Advice from our faculty to start out in your career in the international art world.

On January 18, 2017, stars aligned. Art stars, that is. California art legends Larry Bell, Billy Al Bengston, Ed Moses, and Ed Ruscha came together on the Broad Stage as living legacies of Los Angeles’ contemporary art scene...

Kathy Battista, MA Contemporary Art Program Director at Sotheby's Institute of Art New York speaks about her passion for art, and what students can expect from the program...

We are proud to introduce our “Alumni Updates” for January, 2017.

Recent updates about our faculty.

With international galleries from the East End to the west, the now well-established Frieze art fair each October, and a busy calendar of major auctions, London is a vibrant, global center of contemporary art.

Learn how to craft the perfect Curriculum Vitae for a successful career in the art world

We look back at 2016 and choose our top five design shows of the year.

When he isn't teaching on our London-based Master's in Fine and Decorative Art and Design, Bernard Vere is a published writer...

Working in the art world offers a whole range of career options - from curating to teaching, writing and more...

From Bjork’s first ever VR music video to the premiere of a visual documentary by the unlikely duo Vanessa Beecroft and Kanye West, MA in Contemporary Art faculty Tim Goossens talks to us about his latest project...

Jos Hackforth-Jones, Director of Sotheby’s Institute of Art - London, and Christine Kuan, Director of Sotheby’s Institute of Art - New York, are appointed as joint CEOs of Sotheby’s Institute of Art...

When Tate Modern’s new wing, the Switch House, opened in 2016, the art gallery did not just get bigger...

Since the inception of the MA in 1998, Sotheby's Institute has pioneered the study of art business and is the leader in research, scholarship and teaching of the subject.

Zoe Mogridge, Director of Career Services at Sotheby's Institute of Art - London, takes us through the top ten attributes most prized by art world employers and explains why they matter…

Write about art and win $3,000! Submit your paper before November 21, 2016.

People come to study at Sotheby’s Institute for all sorts of reasons. Many are mature students from a business background, who’ve already achieved great things in their previous career...

Asian art is one of the most vibrant and exciting aspects of global art production today. We spoke to Viv Lawes, Unit Leader for the 15-week intensive course Asian Art and its Markets, about her interest in the field, how she came to specialize in Southeast Asian modern and contemporary art, and how being an active professional in the art world benefits her students.

We are proud to introduce our “Alumni Updates” for October, 2016.

Since 2011 Sotheby’s Institute of Art has partnered with Lund Humphries to publish a series of definitive handbooks to international art business. As our new handbook, Art Business Today: 20 Key Topics, is released, we hear from the title’s editors Jos Hackforth-Jones, Director of Sotheby’s Institute, London, and Iain Robertson, Head of Art Business Studies, London...

If you’ve got that back to school feeling or just want some reading recommendations for the fall, check out our faculty choices for must-read books on art world topics!

Investing in Art Photography: What to Keep in Mind

Preparing for Master’s study with Online Learning from Sotheby’s Institute of Art

Marketing Manager Rosie Dawkins, who oversees Sotheby’s Institute of Art’s account, and our Public Programs Manager Martin Williams, discuss how they use the platform and share advice about making the most of it...

How 15-week intensive courses prepare students for further study at Sotheby’s Institute.

If you’re new to auctions and unsure where to start, don’t be daunted. Art historian Elizabeth Pergam, who teaches on the Sotheby’s Institute of Art Master's programs in Art Business and Fine and Decorative Art and Design in New York, shares some advice for auction first-timers.

From paintings and furniture through to collage and post-war design, the distinctive character of this Master’s program is...

In room 62 of The National Gallery in London, Doge Leonardo Loredan seems to be surveying the space with an air of quiet authority.

On May 9th 2016, the second of the Art Law and Practice for Leading Practitioners Series focused on UK taxation arising with the ownership, movement and sale of works of art.

Recent updates about our faculty.

When she isn´t teaching on our London-based Master´s in Modern and Contemporary Asian Art and Summer Programs, Katie Hill is Director of the Office of Contemporary Chinese Art, a consultancy that works to promote Chinese artists in the UK.

What it’s like to study online with Sotheby’s.

Congratulations to all of the Sotheby’s Institute of Art - London graduates. The faculty and staff wish you all the best for the future and we look forward to seeing you flourish in the art world.

Summer is almost here, and we have an exciting roster of courses starting on May 31 that explore the breadth and depth of the art world in London and New York - two of the world’s foremost cultural capitals.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art - London held the first of its series of Art Law and Practice for Leading Practitioners sessions, on the topic of art-related litigation.

Meet Christine Kuan, Director of Sotheby’s Institute of Art, New York.

Visits to artists’ studios, museums, galleries, fairs and biennials are a distinctive aspect of how our master’s, semester and summer programs prepare students for life as art business professionals.

Meet Kim Mitchell, New York Summer Study Course Leader & Chief Communications Officer at MoMA.

This year a wealth of major exhibitions, fairs and new spaces dedicated to photography are poised to open in the UK and North America.

Congratulations, Sotheby's Institute NY Class of 2015!

Photography is at the heart of the art world. With so many dedicated art fairs, auctions, festivals, exhibitions, collections and prizes, photography is also at the core of increasingly diverse contemporary art practices. Sabina Gaskot-Jill, faculty for the London Summer Study course ‘Art Photography and its Markets’ gives us her must-see photography exhibitions happening in London this summer.

Art repatriation is just one example of the key art world issues you can expect to learn about at Sotheby’s Institute. In this exclusive video, Dr Iain Robertson, Head of Art Business at Sotheby’s Institute in London, looks at the cases of the so-called Elgin Marbles and the 1860 looting of Beijing’s Old Summer Palace, charting the journey of two bronze animal heads which, in 2009, made it back to their country of origin.

London is one of the world’s most vibrant centers of contemporary art. This summer, Jennifer Thatcher will be leading the Summer Study Course Contemporary Art in London (June 28 - July 22).

Our faculty for the photography MA elective units at Sotheby’s Institute in London, tell us about a little-known hero of photography: Elizabeth Fulhame.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London Launch New Master’s Degree In Modern And Contemporary Asian Art

From OY/YO in Brooklyn to the groundbreaking monotypes of Degas at MoMA, check out our faculty suggestions for must-visit exhibitions and shows happening inside and out in New York this summer!

What’s Happening in the London Art World this Summer?

Sotheby's Institute of Art Abroad: #SIAabroad. An essential part of the Sotheby’s Institute experience is the field trips our students take as part of their studies.

London is rapidly becoming the global centre for the design market with new galleries, a new Biennale and record prices at auction.

We asked Juliet Hacking to give us her recommendations for the top five photography events happening in 2016. Take a look at her suggestions on how you can explore the world of photography this year...

Meet Suzanne Julig, Director of Summer Study at Sotheby’s Institute of Art – New York. We spoke to Suzanne about her extensive career in the New York art world and to find out more about the forthcoming 2016 program of Summer Study courses.

We are proud to introduce our “Alumni Updates” for February, 2016. Thank you to all that contributed. We will be asking for updates quarterly regarding new professional positions and promotions, new businesses launched, new articles and books published and other significant personal events that happened within the last 12 months.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art partners with Artron to launch new program offerings. Learn more...

Why is a chair worth 2.4 million pounds?

Read more about the four key steps each young professional should take to define their career path and chart a successful course into the future.

Alma Ruiz joins the Center for Management in the Creative Industries (CMCI) at CGU and Sotheby’s Institute of Art – Los Angeles as Senior Fellow.

If you’re looking to apply to our Master’s degrees in London, New York or Los Angeles, check out our top tips to help you with the process.

Meet Francesca Bellini-Joseph, Sotheby’s Institute of Art - Online Faculty and Latin American Consultant at ArtTactic.

Sotheby’s Institute appoints Christine Kuan, Artsy’s Chief Curator and Director of Strategic Partnerships, to head its New York campus reaffirming the Institute’s commitment to providing the most innovative art business education.

A spotlight on our new course ‘Art Business Foundations and Placement’

Sotheby’s Institute of Art and ARLIS/NA Research Award

To celebrate the extraordinary variety of the English country house, we asked our Short Courses faculty to tell us about their favourite country houses.

Robin Klaus, College of Wooster student, tells us about her experience studying abroad for a semester in London.

A Conversation With Eleni Markopoulioti, Client and Business Development Director at Right Capital, and Online Course Instructor

Recent updates about our faculty.

Starting a career in the international art world requires preparation, persistence and most importantly understanding of its unique universe of career possibilities. The art world employs a wide variety of professionals in a myriad of settings.

We live in a designed world and interact with designed objects on a daily basis. From transport systems, to our electronic gadgetry, to the furnishings of our homes – everything that is manmade is designed.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art was the Education Partner of Masterpiece 2015 and during the fair held a 3-day course Masterpiece London: Collecting and the Art Market as well as an evening panel event A New Generation of Collecting. We spoke to the CEO of Masterpiece 2015, Nazy Vassegh, to find out more about the event and her career in the international art world.

On publication of his new book Painting Beyond Pollock (Phaidon, 2015), we spoke to Morgan Falconer about the experience of writing the story of recent painting, his career in the art world, and lecturing on the Sotheby’s Institute of Art – Online, and Master’s degree programs.

We are proud to introduce our “Alumni Updates” for September, 2015. Thank you to all that contributed. We will be asking for updates quarterly regarding new professional positions and promotions, new businesses launched, new articles and books published and other significant personal events that happened within the last 12 months*.

We are proud to introduce our “Alumni Updates” for April, 2015. Thank you to all that contributed. We will be asking for updates quarterly regarding new professional positions and promotions, new businesses launched, new articles and books published and other significant personal events that happened within the last 12 months.

We are proud to introduce our “Faculty Updates” for April/May 2015. Thank you to all that contributed.

We are proud to introduce our “Alumni Updates” for January/February, 2015. Thank you to all that contributed, and we were very excited about the overwhelming response to our call for information

I migliori consigli per apprezzare al meglio la tua prossima fiera d’arte.

Il mio consiglio per chi sta iniziando una carriera nel mondo internazionale dell'arte, è di focalizzarsi su quello che realmente piace fare, che sia scrivere, occuparsi della parte curatoriale o di raccolta fondi

Write about art and win $3,000! Submit your paper before December 15, 2017.

Robin Klaus ci racconta la sua esperienza di studio nella capitale britannica.

Il mio consiglio per chi sta iniziando una carriera nel mondo internazionale dell'arte, è di focalizzarsi su quello che realmente piace fare, che sia scrivere, occuparsi della parte curatoriale o di raccolta fondi

Lavorare nel mondo dell’arte offre una vasta gamma di possibilità di carriera, dal curatore all’ insegnante, dallo scrittore al critico d’arte, e molto altro.