From Maastricht to Art Basel Miami Beach and its many satellites, international art fairs have changed the way that art is bought and sold in very dramatic ways over the past decade. This course examines the global proliferation of art fairs, the politics behind the scenes, the role fairs play in the international art market, and how to navigate one for yourself. Following an introduction to the history and hierarchy of fairs, students learn how collectors, consultants, curators, and dealers compete for the available artwork and how the galleries promote their participating artists. Students learn about the networking opportunities, the role of artists at fairs, and the way art fairs increasingly attract a wider audience of global celebrities. The course concludes with an examination of what the future holds for fairs, from the emerging to the well established.

The course is taught by New York gallery owner Edward Winkleman, who specializes in international, contemporary art. Founder of the Plus Ultra Gallery in the Williamsburg district of Brooklyn in 2001 with artist Joshua Stern, he now operates it in Chelsea under the name Winkleman Gallery. He has recently published How to Start and Run a Commercial Art Gallery (Allworth, 2009) and authors a widely read blog on art and politics. A founding member of the Williamsburg Gallery Association, as well as its first President, Winkleman is also currently a member of the selection committee for the PULSE art fairs that take place each year in New York and Miami.

Course dates
June 1 – June 11, 2010
10:00am – 12:00pm,Tuesday - Friday, No class Monday
Location: 570 Lexington Avenue

Course fee
$1,500

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Download Frequently Asked Questions about Summer Study.

For further information, please contact: publicprogramsNY@sothebysinstitute.com
Tel: +1 212.517.3929