Sotheby's Institute of Art

This course introduces contemporary management models for commercial and non-commercial practices through theory, case study, and practical work. As with Foundations of The Global Art Market, there are two strong teaching and learning strands that provide students with art marketing and branding knowledge, and with in-depth knowledge relative to key established art markets sectors, including photography, Old Masters, impressionist, and 19th century works. Further, the course examines essential art market professional roles, such as the curator, gallerist, collector, journalist, and art fund manager, and innovative new art business models such as online art operators.

This course begins with the origins of pop art in the UK before turning to more famous proponents, such as Warhol. It explores major post-war developments in visual culture, including minimalism, land art, and conceptual art. It also explores new media such as installations, performance art, and moving image art. In architecture and design, the late 20th century reaction to modernism, expressed through the pop movement and postmodernism, is a key focus.

In this course, students examine established art markets in the developed world and emerging art markets in the developing world together with legal and management issues related to global art business practice; there is a particular focus on the international auction house system. Students focus firstly on legal and management strategy issues, as well as global auction house practice and procedure, and secondly, on analyzing key emerging markets. Through a variety of teaching and learning methods, delivered by both in-house Institute staff and external consultant specialists, students learn to identify the rise and sustaining influence of auctions and art object dealing, and achieve a comprehensive understanding of the functionality and interrelationships of the key art market institutions, structures, and frameworks. Students also develop research methodological skills to evaluate data relating to the established art market and to a number of emerging geographical regional markets.