Sotheby's January Term in London
Discover the history of art through direct engagement with London’s world-class museums, galleries, and cultural institutions in this immersive two-week course.
Experience Art History in the Heart of London
Using London as a living classroom, students explore how artworks are created, collected, displayed, interpreted, and valued across different historical periods and cultural contexts. Through expert-led seminars, site visits, and conversations with industry professionals, students will examine major artistic movements, the development of museum collections, and the evolution of the art market.
Program Features
Program Outcomes
Develop a deeper understanding of art history through direct engagement with London’s world-renowned collections while building skills for future study and careers in the arts, culture, and creative industries. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze works of art in their historical and cultural contexts, conduct research using collections and historical sources, communicate ideas about art with confidence, and gain insight into careers across the cultural sector.
Exclusive Site Visits
Site visits bring course concepts to life, offering the opportunity to examine artworks firsthand and explore the institutions that shape how art is preserved and understood today. Through visits to destinations such as Sotheby’s London, the British Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Modern, and the Wallace Collection, students gain valuable insight into the many ways people engage with art.
Guest Lectures
Gain insight into the many career pathways across the art world through guest lectures from leading industry professionals. Students will learn about the skills, responsibilities, and professional practices that shape careers in the arts today while hearing firsthand perspectives from art advisors, directors, auction house specialists, appraisers and more. These sessions detail the diverse roles that support the creation, management, protection, and circulation of art.
Course Topics
Explore the historical, cultural, and institutional forces that have shaped the art world through direct engagement with London’s world-renowned cultural landmarks. Throughout the course, students will develop skills in art history and visual analysis while examining how artworks are collected, managed, valued, authenticated, and interpreted. Students will also investigate curatorial practices and exhibition making and engage with contemporary issues facing the art world today. Alongside these themes, the course offers valuable insight into careers across the arts and cultural sectors.
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Visit the program's website for further details and to start your application.
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