About the Program
The Master’s degree in Art Business was introduced in 1998 and has pioneered the study of art business and the art market as both an emerging academic discipline and a vocational bridge for art history students into the wider commercial art world. The Art Business MA faculty consists of both academics and art world practitioners, providing a balance between theory and practice to facilitate the understanding of the complexities of the art market and its main players.
All of the MA programs are enhanced by a shared core curriculum Navigating the Art World, which introduces students to the global art world and provides them with comprehensive knowledge of art business principles and professional skills as well as critical understanding to mobilize at the completion of their degrees.
Semester 1 begins with the shared core curriculum unit, Navigating the Art World, followed by core units covering key areas of art business and the market. In Semester 2, the flexible structure of the Master’s program allows students to concentrate their studies on a chosen field by selecting 2 elective units, either pursuing further specialization in art business or undertaking options that will broaden and enhance their understanding of other areas of study, such as fine and decorative art and design, photography, or Asian art. During Semester 3 there is no formal teaching, with students researching their dissertation topics under the guidance of individual supervisors.
About Our Students
Art Business students are introduced to established art markets of Europe and North America, as well as the emerging markets of China and South-East Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Russia, and Latin America. Field trips to art fairs as well as regular gallery and auction house visits develop firsthand knowledge of the art world and facilitate networking with its main players. Students also learn the skills of art business management and financial analysis. Elective units enable students to focus in depth on specific art market sectors and art businesses or on areas of art and related issues including contemporary Asian art, East Asian art, curating contemporary art, and performance art.
Access a copy of the MA structure 2019-2020 and explore our Viewbook, click here to download.
Meet David Bellingham, Program Director of the MA in Art Business at Sotheby's Institute of Art - London