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 and scholarship, business acumen, and innovation that build upon these foundational values.

The Institute offers educational programs for professionals, pre-college audiences, and graduate students seeking expertise in art business and an understanding of the $60 billion global art economy. Our course offerings cover everything from art history to key business skills from our campuses located in the world’s art capitals of London and New York, as well as online.

Since its founding in 1969, Sotheby’s Institute has built an extensive global network of diverse individuals, which grows with every class. Each year, over 2,500 students study with Sotheby’s Institute and go on to work and network, across every sector of the art world. The Master’s degree alone has over 8,000 alumni — the largest and most powerful alumni network of its kind.

From field study trips to behind-the-scenes visits and expert-led instruction – a Sotheby’s Institute experience includes a unique, firsthand study of the art world, making sure that students are well equipped with a depth of understanding, art historical scholarship, and business acumen relevant to today’s art world.