Sotheby’s Institute of Art – Pre-College Summer Institute

I enrolled in the Art History course because, at the time, I was considering studying the subject in college. New York felt like the perfect place to explore every aspect of what I was considering for my future, and I found it to be an amazing experience. My favorite day of the program was when a group of friends and I went to SoHo together. All of us were from different backgrounds, but we all bonded that day. We went to a nice cafe, shopped a bit in SoHo. My experience at Summer Institute helped me to transform my passion for art history into a concrete plan to pursue it further in college. It also exposed me to different cultures and languages, further reinforcing my interest in international relations.

I decided to enroll in Summer Institute because I’ve always known I wanted to work in the art market, and this program felt like a perfect transition into that world. The first week focused on the buying and selling of artworks in auction houses, while the second week introduced us to galleries of all scales—from small independent ones to mid-tier and blue-chip galleries. I took the Art Business course because I am captivated by Sotheby’s auctions and look up to auctioneers like Phyllis Kao. My favorite day of the program was our visit to Sotheby’s auction house. I even got to stand behind the auctioneer’s podium! In the auction room, my class participated in a Q&A with professionals from private sales, finance, and marketing, where we were able to ask questions and hear about their experiences firsthand. My day-to-day experience was a wonderful mix of structure and exploration. Speaking with professionals from Sotheby’s and different galleries confirmed that I want to study art history in college, just like them, and eventually pursue a master’s degree at Sotheby’s Institute.

I was curious about how the art world really operates beyond the studio, and Summer Institute felt like the perfect place to explore that intersection. I enrolled in the Art Business course. What I loved most was how the program made these big ideas accessible and real through site visits and discussions with industry professionals. It gave me a much clearer sense of direction and made me realize that I want to pursue a career where I can bridge creativity with business, possibly in art management, advising, or luxury branding. My days were always packed with new exciting experiences for example we visited the Guggenheim to see Rashid Johnson’s show. The exhibition was incredible. The best part was that we actually ran into Rashid Johnson himself that day, and totally by chance! It felt like one of those unplanned New York moments that make the city and this program so special. Going into the program, I felt uncertain about how to turn my love for art into a future career. Summer Institute gave me the clarity I needed.

I enrolled in the luxury business course because it aligned closely with my interests in contemporary art, the art market, and fashion. I was also motivated by my interest in curatorial practice. One of the most interesting aspects of the program was seeing how interconnected the art world is by looking at how history, commerce, creativity, and global perspectives all converge in the city in a very tangible way. One of my favorite days during the program was when we visited the Museum of the City of New York and saw the influence of street art, dance, and culture throughout the decades. Another significant day for me was when we visited Sotheby’s auction house to look at pieces of jewelry that were planned to be auctioned. As someone who has always been immersed in the jewelry world, seeing these pieces was surreal, especially as we learned about both their monetary and historical value. Summer Institute clarified my interests and gave me greater confidence in pursuing a future within the art and cultural sectors, more specifically, a career in curating. It helped me understand the many career paths available and showed me how academic study can translate into professional practice.