Collecting Contemporary Art: Markets and Practice

About this course

The course investigates how contemporary art is produced, exhibited, discussed and brought into collections, with particular attention to the relationship between artistic practice and the market. Participants consider how artists develop careers, how galleries place work, and how value is formed across the art ecosystem. Teaching combines lectures and discussions with studio and gallery visits, site-based learning, and conversations with artists, collectors, advisors and gallerists. Topics include London’s commercial gallery system, art fairs, institutions and the networks that shape the contemporary art market.

What you'll learn

• Explain how value is created within the contemporary art market
• Articulate a personal collecting perspective and apply it to potential acquisitions
• Evaluate the offerings of London’s commercial gallery system
• Analyse current market trends beyond short-term cycles

Is this course right for you?

The course is designed for collectors and art enthusiasts, including those beginning a collection or refining an existing one. Its Beginner label may indicate an introductory level, while participation involves lectures, group discussions, visits and conversations with people working across the contemporary art world.

• Relevant to learners considering both cultural and market factors when developing a collection