2023 Course Catalog

Sotheby's Summer Institute courses draw on the expertise and unrivaled access of Sotheby’s Institute of Art and explore the most important issues facing our world today. All courses are open to rising 10th – 12th graders and graduating seniors.

• Art History

  Journey through the history of art: explore masterpieces of art and architecture from antiquity to the present day, using New York City as your campus.

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• Art Crime / Art Law

  Take on the role of an art detective and investigate the history of famous art crimes, including high-profile heists and forgery cases. Learn the basics of art law as well as a variety of techniques to spot the difference between what is real and what is fake art.

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• Art Business

  Get a behind-the-scenes look at New York’s illustrious art world and discover how art is created, bought, and sold in a dynamic global market.

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• The Modern Museum

  Explore the role of the art museum in contemporary society with the world-class cultural institutions of New York City as your classroom.

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• Art History / Art Business

  Understand the art world from all angles through a survey of art history, the art market, and the vibrant contemporary cultural scene of New York City.

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• Museums / Galleries / Auction Houses

  Explore the three major pillars of the art world—museums, galleries, and auction houses—and get an insider’s look at how each influences the dynamic global art scene.

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• Art / Luxury / Fashion

  From the worldwide desire for luxurious exclusivity to the photoshoot and catwalk populated by new talent, learn about the fascinating history and cutting-edge intersection between art, luxury, and fashion.

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• Art & Technology

  Discover burgeoning technologies - such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the metaverse, including non-fungible tokens (NFTs), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) - which are dramatically changing the way art is created, enjoyed, traded, and collected.

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• Painting and Drawing

  Learn fundamental painting and drawing techniques and practice new skills in an exciting studio environment designed to inspire creativity and teach you—either as a beginning or an intermediate artist—how to express yourself through artistic practices.

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• Art Conservation / Art Appraisal

  Go behind the scenes in a conservator’s lab and explore the history, care, and valuation of art objects in a hands-on learning environment.

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• Introduction to Curating

  Learn the skills you need to curate a world-class exhibition in a hands-on environment that provides an immersive encounter with today’s art world.

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