Course description
As the landscape for art consumption expands, the contemporary art market’s explosive growth calls for a more in-depth look into the role of the gallery. This course explores the fundamentals of establishing and running a contemporary gallery in today’s interconnected art market. From business strategies and day-to-day operations – including ideas for using new technologies to drive sales and engagement – to key considerations for cultivating clients and managing artists, this course provides an invaluable introduction to the high-stakes world of commercial art galleries.
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Suitability - Who should attend?
Course participants take away in-depth and valuable insight into the current and future art world. Those who successfully complete their course will receive a certificate of completion from Sotheby’s Institute of Art.
Sotheby’s Institute of Art course participants come from all over the world, from a wide variety of backgrounds. As they study, travel, and explore the art world alongside each other throughout the program, fierce and long-lasting collaborations are frequently born. Individuals who complete these courses join our network of over 8,000 alumni around the globe who hold top positions at renowned art organizations.
Training Course Content
Day 1: Gain an in-depth insight into the primary and secondary art markets and join a gallery director to discover how to establish a commercial gallery.
Day 2: Delve deeper into gallery organizational practices, including the complexities of consignments and the logistics of shipping and insurance.
Day 3: Find out about the emerging gallery scene from a leading gallerist and explore the intricacies of working with artists, including price setting and production issues.
Day 4: Discover the opportunities and pitfalls of art fairs from a gallerist’s perspective and learn about how galleries can stand out from the crowd through marketing and social media.
Day 5: Visit a selection of cutting-edge galleries and art spaces on a day trip to Margate and round off your learning by discussing different institutional models, cultural place-making, innovative business practices, and the rise of regional contemporary art hubs.
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Sotheby's Institute of Art
Sotheby’s auction house was founded in 1744 when Samuel Baker, an entrepreneur, occasional publisher, and successful businessman held his first auction. Today at Sotheby’s Institute, we emphasize a keen understanding of an object’s value and history, a spirit of inquiry...