To become an antiques dealer, art consultant, art broker, auctioneer’s clerk, or even a stage artist, there are programs leading to a 3-year or 5-year post-baccalaureate degree. Aspiring professionals in these fields can turn to the art programs offered by IESA.

What does the field of art cover?

Art is a vast field including many professions, in particular those linked to the classical side of art, everything related to the life of an artist, and activities around works of art.

Students aspiring to careers in the field of art can take specific programs to work as an antique dealer, gallery owner, auctioneer, art expert, or art consultant, but also as a musician, performing artist, or dancer.

IESA, the international school of culture careers and the art market, offers 3-year and 5-year postsecondary programs, as well as professional programs.

It is a benchmark in art-world training programs and awards degrees registered with the RNCP (Répertoire national des certifications professionnelles and specific directory).

Post-Bac Art Market Programs

Students with a Bac who wish to continue their studies in art can join one of the following Bachelor art programs (Bac+3 or bachelor’s degree) offered by IESA:

Bachelor in Art Market

The Bachelor Art Expertise and Trade trains students to become experts in artworks and the art trade.

This curriculum leads to a level 6 qualification registered with the RNCP: Artwork and Art Object Sales Officer. Learners can choose work-study in the 2nd and 3rd years.

The Bachelor Art Expertise and Trade degree opens the door to different careers:

  • Cataloguer and data manager;
  • Auctioneer’s assistant/clerk;
  • Assistant/salesperson/client account manager in a gallery or antiques shop;
  • Department head at an auction house or appraisal firm.

Bachelor in Arts Management

Accessible from the Bac, the Bachelor in Arts Management is aimed at students who want to become art managers working in the international art market.

This program awards the Artwork and Art Object Sales Officer diploma, a level 2 qualification recognized by the State. This program is taught in English.

A student with a Bachelor Arts Management degree can go into one of the following careers:

  • Client account manager for an art fair or show;
  • Artwork registrar;
  • Department head at an auction house or appraisal firm;
  • Insurance assistant specialized in artworks/claims handler;
  • Auctioneer’s assistant/clerk.

Bac+5 Programs

IESA also offers Bac+5 programs leading to a Master’s degree: the Master in Marketing and Distribution of Artworks. This two-year program is open to students holding a Bac+3 degree and awards a level 7 qualification registered with the RNCP. This Master allows specialization in 3 major areas of the art market:

Upon completing their studies, learners who have followed the Master in Marketing and Distribution of Artworks curriculum can go into one of the following positions:

Professional Programs in the Art Sector

IESA also offers professional programs in the art sector:

Professional Master in Art Market

The Professional Master in Art Market is a 1-year program awarding a level 7 title registered in the RNCP: Artistic and Cultural Project Administrator.

This program is aimed at professionals and students holding a Master 1 or a Maîtrise with at least 1 year of professional experience. To apply, learners must register online, or send their application / registration file by mail. They will then have an admission interview.

The Professional Master in Art Market gives access to the positions of:

Art Market Specialist Consultant

The Art Market Specialist Consultant program is also a 1-year program totaling 600 hours of theoretical classes, leading to a diploma of the same title. At the end of these theoretical classes, the learner can complete a professional internship of 2 to 6 months. For admission, you must send the complete application file (online or by mail) and take an admission interview.

This program is delivered by Drouot Formation; the courses include a theoretical part and plenty of practice within the Hôtel Drouot itself.

The program to become an Art Market Specialist Consultant gives access to these few examples of professions:

IESA admission requirements

Registration goes through 4 steps:

  1. Apply via the application form or the online application;
  2. An admission interview: conducted through an individual interview or an admission session;
  3. An admissions committee deliberates to admit the student or not;
  4. An enrollment file to be submitted once the student is admitted.

Upon receipt of the application file, the admissions department contacts the candidate for an admission session or an individual appointment.

IESA’s 3-year Bachelors are intended for students holding a Baccalauréat. Students holding a validated Bac+1 or Bac+2 can join the program in the 2nd or 3rd year through lateral admission procedures.

The 2-year Masters are intended for those with a Bachelor or bachelor’s degree. It is possible to join these programs directly in the 2nd year if you hold a Bac+4.