Professional degree in the Art and Antique Trade

Partnership

This training programme establishes a partnership between the Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée, l'Ecole Olivier de Serres (Paris) and the National Office of Antique and Second-hand Trade, Modern and Contemporary Art Galleries with each contributing its skills and experiences.

The Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée has opened its doors to modern training techniques which are both academic and professional in nature: professional degree in the Art and Antique Trade which covers several areas of interest such as art history, expertise, art trade, artwork restoration.

This kind of training was limited to the private sphere until now, whether this was training conducted as you worked, especially within a family company, or in schools. This degree represents a significant benchmark in the field of public education.

Aims of the training programme

For the University, this training is all about developing artistic tuition: art history, performing arts, new technologies. It is geared towards improving the preparation students receive for their future profession, by offering those with 2 year courses (Bac + 2) the chance to continue with university (Bac + 3) or vocational courses. Professionals have multiple needs: improving their skills, training qualified specialists and colleagues, introducing greater strictness in the art trade.

Conditions of admission

The training is aimed at candidates who have already successfully completed two years of higher education and who are preferably familiar with the art market and who are knowledgeable about art history.

Admission is determined by a committee made up of training instructors who may be assisted by professionals from the art market and former pupils of the training.

Targeted skills

The aim of this training programme is to help qualified professionals become established on the art market by helping them to work as antique dealers or traders of bric-à-brac. The skills being targeted include the ability to recognise and value an antique object and to determine if any necessary restoration work is required, to buy and sell, to use modern stock management tools and documentary research tools, as well as to efficiently manage a business.

Training programme organisation

The course lasts for a year, with formal training or continuous training. There is an equal proportion of classes and work placement: at an antique dealer, a trader of bric-à-brac, an art expert, at an auction house or an art gallery. Selected candidates may find a host company in connection with the professional organisations of the industry.

Students are taught by teachers from the Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée, from the Schools Ecole Olivier de Serres, l'Ecole Boulle, and by professionals: antique dealers, experts, art historians, museum curators, gallery owners, artwork restorers.

Modules: four major themes are explored: art history and expertise methods, fabrication and restoration techniques, management, trade and legislation, art communication and market. Visits to flea markets, second-hand shops, auction rooms, galleries and museums complete the programme.

Buildings: the lessons will mainly take place at the l'Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée (IUT), sometimes in Paris at

 

Premises: the classes mainly take place at the Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée (technological university institute) and sometimes in Paris at the Ecole Olivier de Serres and at the SNCAO-GA.

Students trained to a 2-year post-baccalaureate level are invited to apply. Advanced vocational training certificate in Arts and Crafts, DMA, École du Louvre, second year of Bachelor's degree in Art History, but also other courses such as History, Management, Economics, depending on their motivations and their knowledge of the Art market.

Teaching programme

Teaching Unit 1 - FIELD RESEARCH: Fairs, Flea Markets, Second-hand markets and auctions: 40 hours

* Flea markets: St-Ouen, Vanves, Puces du Design

* Second-hand markets: Bastille, Chatou

* Salerooms: Drouot-Richelieu, Drouot-Montaigne, Artcurial, Christie's, Sotheby's, Tajan

* Exhibitions, Biennale des Antiquaires

Teaching Unit 2 - ART HISTORY AND METHOD OF EXPERTISE: 130 hours

* Antique furniture

* Modern and contemporary furniture

* Ceramic-related arts (glassware, ceramics)

* Jewellery, Metal art (goldsmith's trade, brass work)

* Textiles

* Painting, drawing, engraving

* Visits to museums and art galleries

Teaching Unit 3 - PRODUCTION AND RESTORATION TECHNIQUES 80 hours

* Antique furniture

* Modern and contemporary furniture

* Ceramic-related arts

* Jewellery, Metal art (goldsmith's trade, brass work)

* Textiles

* Painting, drawing, engraving

* Visits to workshops

Teaching Unit 4 - MANAGEMENT, SALES, LEGAL ASPECTS: 80 hours

* Establishing and managing a business dealing in arts, antiques or second-hand items

* Positioning strategies on the art market

* Sales and marketing techniques

* Accounting

* Law and taxation governing the art market

* Sales at auction: organisation, regulations and interactions on the art market

Teaching Unit 5 - COMMUNICATION AND SOCIOLOGY OF THE ART MARKET: 70 hours

* Communication

* Sociology of the market of works of art and second-hand items

* Artistic values and price, price setting and development

* Practical IT skills

* English

Teaching Unit 6 - SUPERVISED PROJECT: 150 hours

Teaching Unit 7 - COMPANY WORK PLACEMENT, DISSERTATION: 16 weeks

 

Bachelor's degree coordinator:

Marie-Laure PERRIN