The selection of these scholars marks a significant step forward in Culture& and Sotheby’s Institute of Art's joint commitment to fostering more representative and dynamic leadership in the art world.
Earlier this year, Culture& and Sotheby’s Institute of Art announced a ground-breaking partnership to accelerate diversity in the art world through education. Commencing from September 2023, the Cultural Leaders Program – the first of its kind in the UK – is designed to empower and nurture the next generation of diverse leaders.
We are delighted to announce that three exceptional scholars have been recruited for the Cultural Leaders Program. Their enthusiasm, drive and commitment shone thorough during the selection process and we look forward to welcoming them to the program in fall.
The program will offer three fully-funded scholarships per year from 2023/24 to 2025/26 across one of the Institute’s prestigious one-year, full-time Master’s programs: the MA in Contemporary Art, the MA in Art Business, and the MA in Fine and Decorative Art and Design. The program will allow these promising young professionals from diverse backgrounds with leadership potential to study full-time and receive a London Living Wage bursary for their living expenses, along with a program of professional and personal development and mentorship to help them thrive during their studies and beyond.
Support the Cultural Leaders Program
The provision of a London Living Wage bursary is crucial to the success of the program, removing the barrier of financial insecurity is key to enabling the scholars to fully focus on their educational experience and all it has to offer. If you are interested in making a donation or supporting the Cultural Leaders Program in any capacity, please visit cultureand.org/about-us/donate.
About the Cultural Leaders Program
The Culture& and Sotheby’s Institute of Art Cultural Leaders Program marks a significant milestone in the educational model of both organisations. It stems from their mutual awareness of how much more needs to be done to support people from diverse backgrounds to take their rightful place in the art world. It implements one of the key recommendations of the 2022 report that Culture& co-authored with Museum X for the Art Fund: To support a focus on specific initiatives leading to permanent curatorial employment, rather than generic entry-level or temporary roles. The program draws on the shared belief of the power of education to change and enhance lives. Culture& and Sotheby’s Institute of Art are committed to unleashing the wealth of talent that often lies untapped because of social, cultural and economic obstacles which remain embedded in our society at many levels.
Keep an eye on the Sotheby's Institute of Art news feed for further updates.