Sotheby's Institute of Art - NY Reviews

"I wanted to take the skills I had developed in my career so far to the next level and I chose to study at Sotheby's Institute because it was different from other programs. I didn't want to go back to school for theory - I wanted to upskill and upscale my career in a serious way. My initial interest was niche (mid-century mod design) and I got so much more from SIA than I expected, both in breadth and depth. Grateful for the brilliant faculty who were hands-on, even in the midst of COVID and moving classes online. Overall, I would describe it as a place that you need to put in the work, stay curious, be engaged, and take yourself seriously. If you do you will come out of the program with knowledge and sophistication that it otherwise takes many years of work to gain, plus a slew of new business connections if you are a good networker."

"Through Sotheby’s Institute I had the chance to meet and study with remarkable experts and professionals from the New York art scene. The faculty is incredibly passionate about their subject and also about teaching and sharing it with students. We learned directly from executives at MoMA, the Whitney, David Zwirner and other prestigious institutions representing all facets of the art world. My fellow students came from all over the world and it was fascinating to hear their perspectives. We still keep in touch; some opened their own galleries and launched their own businesses after the course."

"I loved my experience at Sotheby's. The professors were extremely professional, and approachable too. You can always reach out to them for a mind-blowing conversation on the art market. It was also an amazing experience to have the opportunity to connect with classmates from all over the world. My conversations with classmates opened up my view on the art market and helped me orientate my future career path. The courses at Sotheby's offers so much more than what their syllabus describes. The lessons I learned from working on real-life cases and group projects became extremely practical once I started working. If you are eager to learn about the art market, I definitely recommend you taking their courses!"

"My experience at the Sotheby's Institute was excellent - the professors were not only art historians but also professionally engaged in the auction, historic preservation and/or antiques trade. The contacts I made through classmates coupled with the references I obtained through class mentors impacted my career trajectory. If you are motivated you can get a lot out of the program. I was an intern at the auction house and this experience was pivotal in understanding the art market from an insider's perspective. No other program will give you access to this type of expertise - learning how to look, hold and analyze the secret life of objects - be it a painting, print, drawing, glass, ceramic, silver or jewelry. The guest speakers had impressive credentials - this provided an introduction to an invaluable tier of art connections which proved to be essential once I graduated. I credit the Institute for giving me an edge in a competitive job market."

"This is a bigger scam than Trump University. Tuition for one year is over 50,000 dollars, and just to write a thesis in your third year (without attending any classes and required for the degree) you dish out an additional $20,000. The “campus” is one floor or an office building in midtown, there is no diversity among the staff, and all the students are paying for it via their trust funds. They act like it’ll get you ahead in the arts, but Sotheby’s doesn’t even actually run it and they pay for the name association. You’re better off getting an MBA or Masters in Art History— it’ll be better for your wallet and your dignity."

"This is a for-profit college that is not even owned by Sotheby's. It was bought by Cambridge Information Group from Sotheby's in 2002. Like most for-profit colleges, it is an absolute scam intended to make as much money as it can. The fact that it is run out of a single floor in an office building is a good indicator it isn't actually legitimate. If you put this program on your resume, those in the art world will just know you were scammed out of a lot of money. The program's marketing as far as how it is associated to Sotheby's is deliberately deceiving and morally corrupt. Trump was more involved in Trump University than Sotheby's is in Sotheby's Institute of Art. If you want a good education, look for a non-profit college."

"SIA is definitely not a typical MA program that you have in mind when signing up to an University. It is directed towards the Art World and if you aspire to work in that field, this program will help you gain the knowledge and the connections in order to get a foot in the door. But then again, it is a niche field, so will recommend only to those who really cannot see themselves anywhere else than the art world (not academia)."

"My studies at SIA allowed me to enhance the skills and resources I needed to interact with art world professionals on a daily basis. When they say you get up close and personal with the art world, they mean it! Great guest lectures, you visit some amazing cities for field study and the professors really work with students to help them get to their career goals."

"The teachers and classes are great but the school is run by a CEO who is an amateur. Everyone who works there is unhappy and people keep leaving or getting fired. I hope they get their s#$t together because I invested a lot in this degree. Hard to say if I would recommend. It feels like the school is on shaky ground even though classes are mostly excellent."

"This is an extremely expensive program that does not provide value for the cost. Some of the faculty are excellent, but the classes are too large, administration is disorganized, and the director of the program in NY, does not really care about the students. She is all about recruiting and revenue."

"Yes, this school operates differently than traditional Master's programs, however those that do not get what they want from it probably have not used the resources available at their disposal. The programs are really what you make of them. If you treat it like an undergrad education, you will not receive much. If you are proactive and really use what you are paying for then opportunities become available. People have gone on to Ph.D. programs from the Contemporary Art and American Fine and Decorative Arts programs, however these people have worked insanely hard and done a lot of extracurricular work combined with forming relationships with their professors for excellent recommendations. In contrast, others have worked in galleries, showrooms, etc. It is not a hand holding program, you certainly need to be more proactive than others."

"Sotheby's Institute used to have a good reputation for academic preparation and art world connections. In more recent years revenue seems to be the only thing they think about. If you can fog a mirror you will get into the program. All students are told to borrow the maximum amount of money and there is no advisement about repayment and interest rates."

"The Sothebys Institute of Art has a prestigious name and an equally large price tag. Admission is incredibly easy and it appears that if you can afford the tuition, you can get in. If you are looking for a challenging selective program, this is not it. Unfortunately, employers know this as well, making the program essentially worthless. Job placement services are non-existent, except into unpaid internships and unpaid gallery assistant jobs. Placement into the Sothebys auction house is implied, but does not actually happen. If you want to spend a lot of money, but not further your career goals at all, this is it. If you want to actually get a job in the art industry, go elsewhere."