Undergraduate

Summer Program in London

Register Your Interest Request Info
Date
Summer 2026
Duration
4 or 8 Weeks
Location
London
Age
18+
Program
Undergraduate
Mode of Learning
In-Person
Price
£5,950​
Language
English
Contact Admissions

studyabroad@sia.edu

Hone your art world knowledge and develop your business skills in the vibrant cultural hub of London.

Are you ready to spend the summer exploring the art scene in London?

The Summer Program in London is a 4- or 8-week program geared at those looking to enhance their professional acumen and prepare for undergraduate study within the wider creative industries. With London as the backdrop, Summer Program students will have the chance to explore one of the greatest art cities in the world while creating a portfolio of work that will propel them forward in college applications and their future career. Through a choice of courses and peer-to-peer mentoring under the guidance of world-renowned faculty including curators, authors, and art historians, students will undertake topically led briefs and real-world scenarios.

This intensive program combines engaging expert-led sessions with site visits, workshops, and group activities alongside thorough independent research – ultimately preparing participants for the next step in their academic and professional journey. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore art and business topics while spending the summer in the heart of bustling London. Students will leave having gained substantial hands-on experience in a chosen field and be able to demonstrate their aptitude in seeing a project through from ideation to completion.

Students choose from three course options: The Global Art Market, Curator Academy, and Luxury Business.

Highlights

Iconic Art Institutions

Explore world-renowned institutions such as Tate Modern, Tate Britain, the National Gallery, Somerset House Studios, and the Wellcome Collection—immersing yourself in the heart of London's vibrant cultural scene.

Field Study

Experience a day trip beyond the city to engage with art and culture in new settings, offering fresh perspectives and a deeper contextual understanding of the curriculum.

Curate Your Experience

Design a program that reflects your passions by choosing courses that best align with your interests in art, culture, or the creative industries. Each course runs for four weeks, with the option to apply for both sessions and build an immersive eight-week experience tailored to your academic and professional goals.

Explore London

Discover London at its most energetic—enjoying cultural, social, and artistic experiences that extend far beyond the classroom.

Sample Schedule

Week One

Learn the basics of art business models and explore the evolution of the art market, including emerging Asian markets.

Week Two

Understand primary and secondary markets, auction houses, and the role of provenance in art valuation.

Week Three

Study the relationship between galleries and artists, the role of art advisors, and how to start an art gallery.

Week Four

Explore writing for the art business, including press releases and gallery communications, while learning about art law, crime, and sustainability.

Next Steps

Faculty

Director of Art Business and Enterprise Programs, London

Jeffrey Boloten is Co-Founder and Managing Director of ArtInsight Ltd., the education partner of art market research firm, ArtTactic. He was a director with several leading international publishers, including Penguin Books, and has held posts at the Tate and as General Manager of a London art college. Boloten is a frequent speaker and lecturer at international art fairs and conferences on topics including the global art market, photography market, and art investment markets.

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Adjunct and Graduate Faculty

Dr Katie Hill is a senior lecturer and curator specializing in Art from China and the Chinese diaspora. She holds an MA in Chinese from the University of Edinburgh and a DPhil in Art History from the University of Sussex. She has devised and led numerous courses on Asian art at Sotheby's Institute of Art, London, including founding the MA in Modern and Contemporary Asian Art.

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Course Leader: Curator Academy

Originally from Chicago, Amy worked as a curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum from 2007 to 2013, in three departments (Asia; Word & Image; and Sculpture, Metalwork, Ceramics & Glass), undertaking a wide range of curatorial activities and working on both major exhibitions and capital projects. She left the Museum to devise and lead the semester course ‘Art Museums, Galleries & Curating’ at Sotheby’s Institute of Art before returning to the V&A in 2016 as Head of the Learning Academy where she led a team which delivered the adult learning program for the Museum, including courses, workshops, conferences, and professional development.

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Course Leader, London

Fabio Ciquera spent the past twenty-five years in London, where he worked in communication departments of major luxury brands like Gian Franco Ferre’, the Chanel Group, and Zilli. Fabio’s focus shifted to publishing in the mid noughties. Fabio serves as Communication Director at Upstreet Magazine, launched Plastique Magazine, and worked on a pioneering online project, Imagine Fashion, the first video luxury magazine. In 2010 Fabio joined Istituto Marangoni, bringing his expertise to the Luxury Brand Management and Strategies courses as well as being the course director for the successful fashion business program, both in London and Shanghai.

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Living in London

As the birthplace of Sotheby’s Auction House and a hub for dynamism, London is a city which fuses classic with contemporary and edgy with eclectic. From baroque balustrades to bold, brutalist architecture and an air of refined modern elegance, London is a place for exploration and inspiration. History is quite literally around every corner within this giant metropolis and provides the perfect backdrop for ideation and academia.

Details

Who Is It For?

All applicants must be at least 18 years old by the beginning of the program and currently enrolled in, or considering enrolling in, an undergraduate university program.

Students will be eligible to earn academic credit upon completion of the program. All courses are accredited for 4 US credits through the University of Montana.

Dates

Applications for Summer 2025 are now closed. Please register your interest to stay informed about summer 2026!

Tuition

£5,950 (Early Bird rate of £5,450 if application submitted by February 1)

Deposit

A £1,000 Tuition Deposit will be due upon acceptance of offer to hold your space in the program.

Optional Accommodation

Sotheby’s Institute of Art has secured a limited number of housing accommodations for students participating in the Summer Program in London (for an additional accommodation fee). If you are interested in securing one of these accommodation spots, you can submit your interest for this accommodation option on the program application. This accommodation is provided on a first come, first served basis. Program participants are only secured an accommodation spot upon submitting full payment for the accommodation fee in the amount of £2,500, billed at the time of program acceptance.

Location

Sotheby’s Institute of Art-London is situated in Bedford Square with the British Museum in the neighboring square. Sotheby’s auction house, the National Gallery, and the Royal Academy of Arts are a short walk away. The Institute is also close to Mayfair, the traditional center of the London art market where many dealers and galleries are located.

Residential students are provided single studio rooms with a private en-suite bathroom and personal kitchenette. Residential students have full access to other facilities within the residence, including but not limited to a gym, quiet study areas, social spaces, and laundry facilities. The reception staff provide assistance and support 24/7, and the buildings are equipped with CCTV.

Course Options

The Global Art Market

For those looking for a well-rounded understanding of how to operate within the art market on an international scale.

Curator Academy

For aspiring curators, producers, and exhibition designers.

Luxury Business

Ideal for undergraduates passionate about business, branding, marketing, hospitality, and client relationship management, this program equips students with the insights and skills needed to thrive in the ever-evolving luxury landscape.

Questions?

Contact our admissions team at studyabroad@sia.edu for more information.

You are also welcome to book a phone or video consultation with our admissions team to learn more about this program. Book Your Consultation Here.

Choose Your Focus

During the application, you will be able to choose the course you wish to study. Each course lasts for the full 4-weeks of the program; however, students who wish to pursue multiple courses can apply for both sessions to create an 8-week program.

The Global Art Market

This foundational course uncovers the art world ecosystem, introducing the key concepts, individuals, and business models that underpin the global art market and wider creative economy. Direct access to leading figures and institutions in the art world is a key component of the course, with site visits across London providing immersive, hands-on learning opportunities.

Curator Academy

With a project-oriented focus, this course equips you with the contextual knowledge and practical skills to plan, develop, and deliver a curatorial project. Topics include the curator as auteur, facilitator, mediator and project manager as well as contemporary curatorial approaches and research methodology.

Luxury Business

Delve into the multifaceted world of luxury, gaining a thorough understanding of luxury in a contemporary global context, and the essential aspects of creating or managing a business within this sector. You'll examine the heritage and impact of iconic luxury brands, learn how to assess the value of luxury goods, and navigate the legal and ethical dimensions of the industry. The curriculum also explores the evolving landscape of luxury retail—from traditional in-person experiences to the rise of digital commerce. Through individual or group work, you'll apply your insights by developing a draft business plan for a new or existing luxury venture.

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