What Is the Art Market?
The art market is made up of all transactions and exchanges involving objects and works of art between artists and market intermediaries - antique dealers, galleries, auction houses, art brokers, Art advisors - in order to sell them to collectors and art lovers.
The market is divided into several segments:
- ancient art
- modern art
- contemporary art
- tribal art
- as well as several specialties: furniture and objets d’art, decorative arts, painting, sculpture, prints, etc.
It has been constantly developing since the second half of the 15th century. It stands out for the evolution of the many professions related to the valuation, appraisal, certification, and sale of works of art.
In perpetual renewal for centuries, the art market attracts many young graduates. In recent years it has incorporated the digital transition, both in its sales methods and in the works themselves (NFT, Web3, blockchain, metaverse).
Considered difficult to enter, it is accessed through programs offered by specialized schools such as IESA arts&culture or Drouot Formation, which combine skills acquisition and professional networking.
648 Million
This is the total amount of revenue recorded for sales made in Paris in 2024 (source: ArtPrice 2024 report).
800 000
Number of transactions carried out in 2024 (source: ArtPrice 2024 report).
How to train in the art market after high school?
To train for art market professions, it is best to turn to an art business school such as IESA arts&culture, which offers many programs from post-high school to Bac+5 in this field.
Bachelor in Art Market programs
For high school graduates wishing to enter the art market sector, the Bachelor in Art Market at IESA arts&culture is an ideal choice. Also accessible with Bac+1 or Bac+2, this Bac+3 art market program awards a level 6 RNCP-registered title, "Art Sales Officer." Students can choose between the specialization in painting and graphic arts, or the specialization in furniture and decorative objects.
At the end of this art market program, students know how to analyze and comment on an artwork or art object, and write presentation documents for an artwork or art object. This curriculum provides other skills, including the ability to showcase an object or artwork in a sales pitch, mastery of art market law and art trade regulations, and the ability to organize an auction or an exhibition.
The Bachelor is a post-baccalaureate program leading to a Bac+3 degree.
- Bachelor in Art Market leading to a level 6 certification registered with the RNCP: Art and Art Object Sales Officer
Bachelor in Art Market
Admission: 1 or 2 years of higher education
Format: Initial / Work-study
Start: October
Duration: 1 year, 2 years, 3 years
Bachelor in Arts Management
Admission: Bac+1, Bac+2
Format: Full-time / Work-study
Start: October
Duration: 1 year, 2 years, 3 years
How to specialize in the art market after a Bac+3?
Art Market Masters Programs
To strengthen their skills in the art market, Bachelor graduates can join one of the school’s Masters. Lasting two years, these Bac+5 art market programs are also open with a bachelor’s degree. Depending on students' goals, the school offers the Master Ancient Art, the Master Contemporary Art or the Master Exhibition Curation. These programs lead to careers in the market and distribution of ancient and modern artworks.
These programs pursue several objectives, notably the appraisal and inventory of artworks, administrative and financial management, and the trading and promotion of an ancient or contemporary artwork. These Bac+5 programs lead to the level 7 title registered with the RNCP "Administrator of Artistic and Cultural Projects".
Master in Contemporary Art
Admission: Bac+3
Format: Full-time / Work-study
Start: October
Duration: 2 years
Master in Old Master Art
Admission: Bac+3
Format: Full-time / Work-study
Start: October
Duration: 2 years
Master in Exhibition Curation
Admission: Bac+3
Format: Full-time / Work-study
Start: October
Duration: 2 years
Master in Cultural Communication Strategy
Admission: Bac+3
Schedule: Full-time / Work-study
Start: October
Duration: 2 years
Art market programs for professionals
If you are planning a specialization or career change in the art market, IESA arts&culture offers programs suited to professionals. The school notably offers the Professional Master in Art Market, also open to students holding a Master 1. In one year, learners acquire skills in art communication and marketing, or in art dealing and promoting an artwork, among others.
To bring an international dimension to your career, the school offers the MBA in Contemporary art and the MBA in Arts & luxury management, which provide dual expertise in appraising contemporary or luxury works, as well as in marketing, management and distribution of art. You can also choose the MBA in Arts & cultural management, a one-year program for managers of French and international cultural companies and institutions. Art market programs for adults in the form of evening classes as well as online art classes are also available.
Art Market Specialist Consultant - Drouot Formation
Format: Full-time
Start: October
Duration: 1 year
Professional Master in Art Market
Format: Full-time
Start: October
Duration: 1 year
Our MBA Programs in the Art Market World
An MBA is a professionalizing Bac+5 postgraduate degree. This program is taught in English.
MBA in Contemporary Art: Sales, Display and Collecting
Format: Full-time
Start: January or September
Duration: 1 year
MBA in Arts and Collecting Management
Format: Full-time
Start: January or September
Duration: 1 year
Testimonial from a Former IESA Art Market Student
"The large number and variety of internships convinced me. I think back then I was among those who had done the most internships; trying everything to better guide my own choice, my specialty! That’s what really attracted me to this school."
Matthieu Lamoure / Director of Artcurial Motorcars
What Are the Career Opportunities After Art Market Training?
- Exhibition Curator
- antiques dealer
- Gallery Owner
- auctioneer’s clerk
- fair or trade show manager
- art consultant or advisor
- sponsorship manager
- department specialist at an auction house or appraisal firm
- department head at an auction house
- artwork registrar
- client or partnerships manager at an art fair or show
- database cataloger
- insurer specializing in artworks
- editor-administrator
- editorial communications manager specializing in the art market
Discover Internationally Oriented Programs!
With 20% international students, you will work every day in an international cultural context and exchange. You can also train through our many European partners with Erasmus scholarships (Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Scotland) and our non-European partners (Brazil, China, United States, Peru).
