Career-focused, five-course program educates professionals working in the art market
NEW YORK August 1, 2008-The New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies (NYU-SCPS) is launching a new professional Certificate in Art Business for professionals working in the expanding national and global art markets, in such venues as art galleries and auction houses, or as wealth managers, financial planners, or advisors to high-net-worth individuals. Registration for fall 2008 courses is now open on the NYU-SCPS website (scps.nyu.edu).
Growing, Dynamic Industry Requires Professional Education
The program responds to the needs of the growing global art market-currently valued at an estimated $25 billion in annual sales-for professionals with advanced training and industry-specific knowledge. New York City is an epicenter of this activity. Sales at the four major auction houses here topped $2.5 billion in 2005-roughly 10 percent of the world total. And, these auction houses and the Citys more than 600 art galleries generated a total economic impact of $1.4 billion and employed approximately 7,100 people according to a recent report by NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate economist Rosemary Scanlon. Further, greater activity and higher prices in the high-end art markets have been fueled in part by the increase in the number of billionaires and multimillionaires in the U.S. and abroad. In July, for example, ten works of art auctioned at Sothebys in New York garnered record prices, selling for tens of millions of dollars each.
The art markets growth creates career opportunities across a variety of sectors and for many professional roles. The jobs in demand are diverse-from wealth advisor to gallery manager to art business executive-but certain skills and expertise, including current business practices and a familiarity with the fast-changing and complex landscape of the field, are essential for success.
Because of the phenomenal expansion of the global art market in recent years, and the growing need for skilled professionals in a range of art market-related businesses and services, this certificate program is extremely timely, says Terry Shtob, academic program director, Humanities, Arts, and Writing Programs at NYU-SCPS. This certificate offers participants a chance to learn the complex skills necessary to succeed in the competitive world of the national and international art markets.
Industry-Recognized Credential Attainable Within a Year
For more than 20 years, NYU-SCPS has offered two industry-recognized professional education programs in Arts Administration and Appraisal Studies. Drawing upon this experience and expert faculty, the new Art Business Certificate aims to educate students about major trends in todays art markets, the dynamics of collecting, researching, and assessing arts value, counseling clients, current business practices, technology, and the legal and ethical issues specific to the field.
This practical, five-course program is designed to be completed within one year and for a total approximate tuition of $2,200-2,500. The Art Business Certificate includes three required classes: Todays American and International Art Market, Law and Ethics in the Art Market, and The Art Auction. Then, students select two elective courses, such as Starting a Successful Art Business, Wealth Management in the Arts Market, Fine Art as a Financial Asset, The Art Dealer in the 21st Century, and Essentials of Appraising.
Detailed courses descriptions for the new Art Business Certificate, as well as other arts-related professional certificates, courses, and programs offered at NYU-SCPS, can be found at scps.nyu.edu/arts.
About the NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies
Established in 1934, the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (NYU-SCPS) is among the 14 colleges and schools that comprise New York University, one of the largest private research universities in the United States. Through its faculty, curricula, and vibrant professional and academic networks, NYU-SCPS captures the expertise of key sectors where New York leads globally: Real Estate; Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management; Global Affairs; Philanthropy; Communications Media, Publishing, Design, and Digital Arts; Business, Marketing, and Finance; and the Liberal and Allied Arts, among others. Rigorous and timely programs in these and related areas attract full-time undergraduate and graduate students immersed in university life, working professionals in 14 graduate programs, motivated adults earning undergraduate degrees, and New Yorkers of all backgrounds enrolled in approximately 2,500 continuing education courses, certificate programs, conferences, and seminars annually. NYU-SCPS is widely considered to be the most complete example of NYUs founding commitment to be In and Of the City-and Of the World.