Learn the skills to successfully manage a gallery or artist studio with this part-time evening course, taught by a leading exhibition curator.
1 starting date
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Starting date:
- Duration: 10 weeks
- Time: to
- Fees: £500
(£450 with discount)
(no VAT)
Save £50 – book by 31 Aug 2026
- Occurs: Tuesday
- Location: Online
- Booking deadline:
Want to find out more?
Managing a Successful Gallery and Studio Practice Course overview
Are you an artist, a curator or simply interested in working in visual arts?
City, University of London’s Managing a Successful Gallery and Studio Practice short course provides an understanding of the day-to-day management of an artist studio or a commercial gallery.
By learning how to manage an art gallery, you’ll also gain essential knowledge to unpack complex subjects in relation to the art market, business planning, marketing and copyright.
This visual arts course is delivered over 10 weekly evening classes. It is led by a professional art and gallery consultant whose expertise includes curating major projects at the British Museum, the Tate Art Gallery, and also internationally.
Your classroom learning will be combined with virtual visits to an alternative gallery space and an artist’s studio to develop your knowledge in real-world applications.
Who is it for?
Our Managing a Successful Gallery and Studio Practice evening course is designed for artists who would like to upskill, new or potential gallery owners, and individuals interested in working in the visual arts and gallery context.
Find out more about our Business courses
Timetable
Managing a Successful Gallery and Studio Practice course takes place every Tuesday at 18.30 for 10 weeks.
City Short Courses follow the academic year, delivering courses over three terms:
- Autumn - October
- Spring - January
- Summer - April
Benefits
- Taught part-time in 10 evening sessions once a week – ideal for working professionals
- Accessible, online classes with digital learning materials
- Led by an experienced curator whose work has included exhibitions for the British Museum, the Tate Art Gallery and Museum of Modern Art in New York and other international institutions.
What will I learn?
Managing a Successful Gallery and Studio Practice explores art market mechanisms and business planning. Topics include:
- Key players of the art market
- Contracts and agreements
- Copyright
- Professional presentation
- Invitation, press releases, newsletters
- Marketing, social media and branding
- Gallery system & art fairs
- Pricing structure.
Assessment and certificates
Informal assessment will take place through group discussion, classroom activities and questions and answers sessions, as guided by your tutor.
Your course leader will invite you to present an art related project. These presentations take place during the last session where fellow peers and your tutor will provide feedback.
Our short courses are not formally accredited but you'll be awarded an official City, University of London certificate if you attend at least 70% of the classes.
Eligibility
You don't need any formal qualifications to enrol on our Managing a Successful Gallery and Studio Practice short course, just a strong interest and enthusiasm for the visual arts world.
English requirements
You will need a good level of spoken and written English to enrol on this course.
Tutor
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Renée Pfister
Renée Pfister has built an esteemed and longstanding career as a consultant, curator, registrar and business development manager in the art world.
She was part of the curatorial team at the British Museum where she was involved in realising major projects such as the Great Court and the Weston Gallery of Roman-Britain.
At the Tate Gallery she worked as a Registrar from 1999 to 2005 and was responsible for managing acquisitions and ground-breaking international exhibitions from the Tate’s collection.
She also participated in a Registrars’ exchange programme at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York, wrote a chapter for the Routledge publication ‘Understanding International Art Markets & Management’ and worked for the late Sir Anthony Caro as an advisor.
Since 2010 she has run her own art and gallery consultancy. She offers support to gallery owners new in the business and career mentoring services to emerging and mid-career artists.
