Contemporary art inspires passion, generates huge revenues, and dominates today’s art world. But what sets it apart? And how can you become a part of the contemporary art world? With this six-week online certificate course, you'll gain valuable insights into the contemporary art world and unlock your potential to become a professional in the industry or an enthusiastic participant.
This information-packed course features expert lectures on the theories behind contemporary art and a deep dive into the international art world, giving you a comprehensive understanding of contemporary art since 1980 and the institutions that drive it. Each module is approximately two hours of visually-rich, documentary-style video that will keep you engaged and entertained as you learn. Every week, your module will contain a lecture on the theory that underpins contemporary art practice, a lecture on the institutions of the international art world, and a career-focused interview with a major figure in the contemporary art world.
The course is designed for anyone looking to start a career in contemporary art, further their career in the art world, or participate in the art market as a buyer, advisor, or artist.
What you will learn:
• A thorough understanding of the major theories behind contemporary art
• Practical knowledge of the functioning of the contemporary art world
• An introduction to significant contemporary artists and their works
• The impact of mediums, power, globalisation, memory, and technology on contemporary art
• Insights into the most important public and private institutions in the art world, such as museums, dealers, galleries, art fairs, auction houses and collectors
• The differences between contemporary art that is valued by the market and celebrated by public institutions
• Profiles of major players in the commercial and institutional contemporary art world and their careers and influence
Special Features
We bring the industry to life by pairing each lecture with a riveting documentary interview featuring a top influencer in the field. These interviews provide students with valuable insights into the commercial and artistic landscape of the art world. You'll gain an understanding of the strategic concerns that drive the industry, as well as the individual passions that motivate these major figures. With our dynamic approach, you'll be fully immersed in the exciting and ever-changing world of contemporary art.
Public Museums – Jasper Sharp
Commissioner of the Austrian Pavilion at the 55th Venice Biennale; founder of Phileas, a fund for Contemporary Art; and Curator for Modern and Contemporary Art at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna (2011-2021). Sharp's innovative approach to curating has made him a standout figure in the art world. He brought together unexpected pairings of contemporary and historic art in exhibitions like The Shape of Time, and even had Ed Ruscha and Wes Anderson curate the museum's collections.
Galleries and Dealers – James Koch
Executive Director at Hauser & Wirth, Switzerland. Responsible for the gallery’s activities in Switzerland including oversight of the public gallery spaces in Zurich and St. Moritz, and the semi-private chalet in Gstaad
Art Fairs – Touria El Glaoui
Founder of 1:54, Contemporary African Art Fair. Touria founded 1:54 in London in 2013, to provide international access to artists from Africa and the African diaspora. An immediate success, the fair now has editions in New York, Paris and Marrakech.
Auction Houses – Tessa Lord
Senior Specialist and Director in the Post-War and Contemporary Art department, Christie's London. Since joining Christie's in 2013, she's been instrumental in securing record-breaking prices for artists at auction. Her passion for figurative painting, from Francis Bacon to Lynette Yiadom-Boakye has continued the evolution of the Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale platform, bringing the very best artists to the fore in the London market.
Artists – Hormazd Narielwalla
Best known for his paper collages and assemblages, which he makes using antique, vintage, and bespoke tailoring patterns. Originally from India, Narielwalla moved to the UK in 2003 to study fashion design. His work explores cross-cultural perceptions and the transformative power of clothes in projecting character and identity. His works are found in the Albers Foundation Library, Yale Centre for British Art, The Hepworth Wakefield Museum and TATE library, among many others.
Collectors – Liu Yiqian
Founder of the Long Museum, China. Renowned collector and billionaire investor, Liu Yiqian has amassed a breathtaking collection classical and contemporary Chinese art, as well as modern and contemporary Western art. With their bold design and curation, the Long Museums in Shanghai are true testaments to Liu Yiqian's commitment to preserving and sharing his collection.
What are the historical precedents for contemporary art practices?
How is art categorised, especially in art schools and colleges?
What is the difference between contemporary art celebrated by institutions like art schools and museums, and art prized by collectors and dealers in the market?
What are some of the concepts and techniques that contemporary artists engage with and how does their choice of medium impact our understanding of their work?
Modern Art
Abstract Expressionism
Neo-Concrete art
Socialist realism
Socially engaged art
Post-Modernism
Pop
Installation art
Conceptual art
Street art
Mapping: Public Museums
Purpose of public museums
Journey from private collection to public museum
Relationship between museums and the art market
Encyclopaedic museums versus contemporary collections
Online courses are designed for students to study when it is most convenient for them. Our pre-recorded lectures are filmed with documentary-style production values, taking you on a narrative-led journey through your chosen subject.
Each module's lecture lasts for approximately one hour.
Our courses are arranged in modules, containing your lectures and special features. Each week, a new module will open for you to study, allowing you to explore the content at your own pace. Typically, our courses consist of six modules overall.
During your time on the course, your Tutor will provide:
Frequent art world announcements.
Opportunities to ask questions and request tutor guidance.
Tutor-initiated networking discussions with icebreaker questions and art world news.
Art History courses have optional written assignments with detailed and supportive individual feedback to help develop ideas and enrich analytical skills and understanding.
Art Business and Luxury courses have optional multiple-choice assignments to consolidate learning and track progress.
Further benefits
Handouts and English subtitles are provided to reinforce your learning.
Networking and knowledge-share opportunities with fellow online course participants and alumni.
You have three weeks after the course has finished to complete your assignments and discuss the course with your tutor.
All video lectures and course materials remain available to students for six months after assignments close.
If you complete all the assignments and complete the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. Certificates are not available for self-directed courses.
Frequent livestreamed seminars for students and alumni on topics that span the art world. Seminars are led by alumni, your tutor, and art world professionals.
Additional Information
The course will require between two to three hours of study time per week. There will be further reading and weekly assignments.
Technical Requirements
The course is facilitated through an online learning environment that is compatible with most modern browsers. It is the responsibility of students to have the proper hardware and software required to participate, along with access to WiFi. The basic technical requirements can be found in the FAQs.
Terms and Conditions
Please ensure you read carefully through our terms and conditions before enrolling on a course.
