Sotheby's Summer Institute: Guide for Parents

Sotheby’s Summer Institute is a two-week pre-college program for high school students passionate about exploring the global art industry from the cultural capital of the world: New York City.

Taught by leading scholars and industry professionals, Sotheby’s Summer Institute immerses students in the global art and luxury markets, offering behind-the-scenes access to museums, galleries, auction houses, and artists’ studios. Designed to inspire and inform, this program introduces students to future pathways in the art world and provides a foundation for careers in the industry.

Explore The Program

A Meaningful Academic Experience

Sotheby’s Summer Institute is thoughtfully designed to help students explore their academic interests, develop transferable skills, and make informed decisions about their future in the art and creative industries.

The program is designed to develop future-ready skills for students’ long-term ambitions across a wide range of fields, from the arts and creative industries to business and beyond.

Through engaging discussions and hands-on, immersive learning experiences across New York City, students develop critical thinking, communication, and creative skills while gaining insight into how the art world operates.

Across the program, students:

• Gain insight into the global art market, art history, and the luxury industry

• Learn through immersive, hands-on experiences including visits to museums, galleries, auction houses, and artists’ studios

• Develop practical skills through interactive courses, case studies, and real-world industry projects

• Explore potential college majors and career pathways while strengthening portfolios and college applications

• Experience New York City as their classroom, gaining firsthand exposure to one of the world’s leading art capitals

Our Faculty and Instructional Team

At Sotheby's Summer Institute, students learn from art experts who bring real-world insight into every class. Students develop their analytical and creative skills through case studies and hands-on projects led by industry professionals.

We provide personalized support in a collaborative learning environment designed to build confidence, strengthen understanding, and prepare students for future study in the creative industries.

Academic Structure and Daily Schedule

Each Sotheby’s Summer Institute course is delivered over a structured two-week period, allowing students to fully immerse themselves in a focused area of study while progressively building knowledge throughout the program. The academic experience is designed around engaging sessions, including site visits, discussions, and project-based work, ensuring students consistently develop their understanding of the art world while actively participating in a classroom environment.

A Typical Academic Day

7:00am-9:00am – Breakfast (residential students) ​

9:30am-12:30pm – Academic Morning session​

12:30pm-1:30pm – Lunch (all students)

1:30pm-4:30pm – Academic Afternoon Session​

4:30pm-6:00pm – Homework and Dinner (residential students)​

6:00pm-9:00pm – Co-Curricular Events/Residential Life Programming​

9:30pm – Curfew (Sun-Thu), 10:00pm – Curfew (Fri-Sat)

10:00pm-Bed Checks (Sun-Thu), 10:30pm Bed Checks (Fri-Sat)

Residential Life at Pace University

Residential students live at Pace University’s Financial District campus, located in the heart of Manhattan.

Dorm Accommodations

  • Students reside in air-conditioned residence halls. Each room is equipped with a private en-suite bathroom, ensuring a comfortable and private living environment for all students.
  • Double, triple or quad rooms
  • Students are typically roomed according to age/grade and the self-identified gender listed in their Program Form. Assignments are finalized before arrival and shared at check-in, not before.
  • Students may meet family off campus during free time. Parents are not permitted in residence halls.

Facilities

  • Laundry machines are available in the residence hall. Students must bring their own detergent (liquid or powder only, no pods).
  • Our housing facility does NOT provide bedding. Please make sure you consider bringing: bedding (XL Twin sheet, blanket/duvet, pillow, pillowcase), bath towel and toiletries.

Travel

  • The Summer Institute campus is accessible from JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports. Taxis, ride-shares (e.g., Uber Teen), and public transit are available. Check airline and transit policies for unaccompanied minors.

Safety, Supervision, and Support

Student wellbeing is a central priority for every member of staff. The program structure allows students to experience independence while remaining in a carefully supervised environment.

  • Classes and activities are chaperoned. Residential staff and security are on duty 24/7.
  • A designated nurse will be available to students during the duration of the program.
  • All staff with regular student interaction complete background checks and Protection of Minors Training.
  • Summer Institute does strictly enforce a program curfew for safety and security protocols. Residential students must be in their rooms by 9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10:00 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Staff conduct nightly room checks, and parents will be notified immediately if a student misses curfew.

Communication and Pre-Arrival Preparation

Comprehensive pre-program materials are shared approximately 10 weeks before the start of the term. Families can access the Admitted Students Page for information including:

  • Program overview
  • Travel/arrival departures
  • Student support
  • Post-program information
  • Technology requirements and app guidance
  • How to contact us

Students and families will be sent a recording of the Pre-Arrival Pre-Orientation prior to the start of the program. We encourage families to view and review to better prepare for their program term.

Explore the Admitted Students Page

Activities, Evenings and Exploring the City

Beyond the classroom, students experience New York City through curated cocurricular programming.

Examples of activities include:

  • Community events
  • Curated excursions and optional outings
  • Broadway shows
  • Museum visits
  • Student-led social nights

Day students also participate in site visits and activities. They travel with their class or Living & Learning Community for all academic and co-curricular activities. Day students cannot arrive or leave directly from an off-site location.

Admissions, Tuition, and Financial Aid

Eligibility

  • Summer Institute is open to high school students (grades 10-12 and Graduating Seniors based on the grade the student is entering in the Fall 2026 school year). Students must be 15 years old by the first day of the program.
  • All students applying to Summer Institute for the first time are required to complete an online application. Returning students do not need to reapply.

Tuition

  • Residential students: tuition, housing, materials fee, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on weekdays, with a weekend breakfast and dinner (Saturdays and Sundays).
  • Day students: tuition, materials fee*, and daily lunch on class days.

*Materials Fees cover activities, equipment, and other instructional materials. Program fees do not include health insurance. All students are required to have their own health insurance coverage.

Financial Aid

We believe financial circumstances should not be a barrier to world-class, pre-collegiate education.

  • Our Scholarship Program aims to improve the availability, access, and equity of learning opportunities by providing scholarships based on financial need. To be considered, students must submit a completed program application, followed by a scholarship application.
  • Scholarships are limited and disbursed on a first-applied, first-awarded basis until all funds have been exhausted. For this reason, we encourage eligible students to apply as soon as possible.
Explore Admissions Page

An Experience That Lasts Beyond Summer

Sotheby’s Summer Institute offers more than a summer course—it equips students with the knowledge, confidence and global perspective needed to stand out as they prepare for college and future careers in the art, luxury, and creative industries.

We encourage early application to secure a place on your preferred course. For more information about the program or to speak with an advisor, we recommend booking a 1:1 consultation with a member of the admissions team.

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