20804 - CONTEMPORARY ART MARKETS AND SYSTEMS I - FOUNDATIONS

In the last two decades, the contemporary art world has been transformed from a small, relatively stable system into a complex, semi-industrial sector in which financial political, economic, urban and social interests move at a pace that was even unthinkable before. The interaction of these dynamics produces rapid changes in a system whose roles have been historically defined around a “small world” of galleries, collectors, dealers, institutions, and which has been polarized around few dominant urban scenes (New York, Paris, London and in the last part of 20th century, Berlin). These changes imply a multiplicity of opportunities, the appearance of new landscapes for new professionals, and also a number of dead ends. The process involves entrepreneurial opportunities but also raises deep cultural challenges. The course Contemporary Art Markets and Systems, Foundations will present an overview of the art system conceived as a complex environment characterized by a constant yet ever evolving osmotic relations between economic and cultural logics. The course will go through the system historical and institutional lines of development and characteristics.

The course addresses an institutional perspective on the development of the art system, integrating an historical background with the analysis of the main transformations of the field.

The course carries on an overview of the composition of the Art World, with a focus on key actors and gatekeepers, professions and processes. It will further present a session devoted to an exploration artistic practices and research as well as a thematic session addressing relevant topics influencing the contemporary debate in and on the Art System.

The course will be enriched by a program of Guest Speakers, allowing the students to dialogue with relevant professionals of the art market field.

• Know the historical evolution of the modern / contemporary art system from the transition XIX / XX century to the present time.
• Understand the main patterns and logics of value creation in the visual art system and the premises of the formation of a global and local art system.
• Become familiar with the main actors in the system, mastering their characteristics and functions.

• Acquire a professional understanding of the basic art market and art system vocabulary, languages, logics.
• Learn to relate articulately with professionals in the field and to ask relevant questions.

• Face-to-face lectures
• Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
• Company visits
• Individual assignments

The course is designed in order to create opportunities for a “high pressure” knowledge transfer from the instructors to the class, through a methodology that implies active participation, involvement in specific research and assessments, dialogue with relevant actors of the system.

This course is fit for highly motivated students willing to acquire a professional and competitive edge in the area of Arts management.

With the purpose of measuring the acquisition of the above-mentioned learning outcomes, attending students’ assessment is based on two main components:

1. Group project (30% of the final grade). The group assignment is a project work on the themes and issues of the course. This item is aimed at testing students’ developed ability to critically apply concepts and skills acquired during the course, while fostering collaboration among peers. 

2. Individual project (70% of the final grade). A class-specific final essay.  This item is aimed at testing students’ understanding of topics and concepts discussed during the lectures and class activities. It will also test the ability to mobilize acquired knowledge and critical analysis of the readings in the bibliography as well as capacity to present an innovative point of view or analysis.

Non-attending students will be evaluated through a written exam.

Exam Structure: Students will be asked to answer to 3 questions in 120 minutes.

The exam will be based on a reading list that will be provided by the teacher in the detailed Course Handbook, uploaded in the blackboard page of the course.

- Teacher’s slide and notes

- Guest lectures notes

- Reading list

• Reading List