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A GATEWAY TO THE ART WORLD - INTERVIEW WITH MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIE’S EDUCATION


Image : Jane Hay, International Managing Director of Christie's Education

1. What are some of the key reasons Christie’s International plc decided to invest into a program focusing on Fine Art Education ?

Christie's International plc is committed to the health and future wellbeing of the art world in its broadest sense. At the heart of our mission is a commitment towards knowledge transfer and exchange, in particular knowledge of subject, market and connoisseurship. We have long term strategic objectives to share knowledge with current and future art world players, and Christie's Education is the principle vehicle through which we achieve this.

 

2.  In what ways is Christie’s Education a gateway into the International Art World ?

It is the perfect route to an art world career and is a preferred recruitment channel for the Company. Christie's Education trains art world professionals for leadership positions throughout the art world, and we are very proud of the careers our alumni develop after studying with us. Whether working at Christie’s or elsewhere, alumni remain part of our global network and benefit from Christie’s Education’s continued support and connections.

Image : Christie’s King Street. Courtesy of Christie’s.
 

Whether working at Christie’s or elsewhere, alumni remain part of our global network and benefit from Christie’s Education’s continued support and connections. "

 

3. Christie’s Education is based in London, New York and Hong Kong. From observation, are there any ways the Educational Program differs from city to city ? 

Christie’s Education Inc. New York and Christie's Education Ltd. London both offer degree programmes and continuing education. Christie's Education Hong Kong currently offers continuing education programmes only. We also offer short course in the Middle East every year.

 

4. What is currently proving to be the most popular course in London, be it undergraduate, graduate or master ?

The most popular course this week is the MSc in Art, Law and Business, but it changes from week to week as applications come in.

Image : Lizzie Perrotte speaks about a major exhibition of works from the Ben Uri gallery at Christie’s South Kensington at an alumni event. Photo by Natasha Held, Christie's Education.

 

5. What would be your opening suggestion for young people looking for a career in the Art World ?

Develop your visual memory by going to museums and galleries.

Do your homework through reading art history books.

Visit art fairs and auction houses and don’t just look at the art; study the location and the people and try to assess the customer journey, product offer, buyer behaviour, and customer service – sitting near the front door will teach you a lot! Soon you will know why some are more successful than others.

 

" Visit art fairs and auction houses and don’t just look at the art; study the location and the people and try to assess the customer journey, product offer, buyer behaviour, and customer service – sitting near the front door will teach you a lot!"

 

6. What are some of the qualities you look for and hope to build in a future Fine Art professional ?

Commitment.
Attention to detail.
Visual memory.
Customer focus.
Excellent communication skills.


Image : Christie’s Education students and Korakrit Arunanondchai’s Painting with history in a room filled with people with funny names (3, 2015–16, HD video, denim, foam, wood, 24:55 mins, Installation view 2016) at Cockatoo Island for the 20th Biennale of Sydney. Photo by Laura Harris, Christie's Education.

 

7. What is the current situation in the Art World with regards to job vacancies for young Fine Art professionals? Would you say the job opportunities are increasing with the market’s growth or is it still fairly traditional and limited ?

The global art market is incredibly dynamic and it is thriving. It changes all the time as it responds to changes in customer demographics, taste and price point. There are lots of jobs out there but the best positions are hugely competitive. As a young professional you need to be prepared to travel, use your language skills, exceed your employer expectations, and develop your knowledge so that it has real depth. At Christie’s Education 80-90% of our graduates get a job in the art world within 6 months; they have the competitive advantage of having been specifically trained for the roles they’re applying for.

 

8: Are there any future plans to expand the Degree Programs in the next year or so ?

In September we launch our postgraduate masters in Art, Law and Business in New York. In 2017 we will be launching Curating Contemporary Art, a new Master’s of Fine Art in London. It is a very exciting time for us because we are relocating in both London and New York to be with the auction house – which means closer collaboration, more access to works of arts and specialists, and a really cool place to study.

CHRISTIE'S EDUCATION

Image : Courtesy of Christie’s.