Divya Srinivasan arrived at the University of Miami with plans to major in political science and prepare for law school. Then, to fulfill the requirements of the University’s cognate program, she enrolled in art history classes and promptly fell in love with the discipline.
“I want to go into art law, and I think the course framework at UM has really allowed me to explore many aspects of what that could consist of, from both an art historical and political perspective,” said Srinivasan, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences who is studying art history and political science. “I’ve truly been able to combine my passions.”
This summer, for the second year in a row, Srinivasan is gaining hands-on experience in the business side of the art world as an intern at Christie’s, the international art and luxury goods company known for its auctions.
“I was really interested in learning about the business of art,” Srinivasan said, explaining why she first applied for the internship in New York City. “The art industry is so diverse, and I wanted to get an understanding of the various career opportunities associated with it.”
Last summer, Srinivasan worked with Christie’s as a client strategy intern, helping to conduct research on current and prospective clients.
She also had the opportunity to meet employees in other departments. Speaking with a member of the restitution team, who was conducting provenance research related to the Nazi era, sparked Srinivasan’s curiosity in learning more about the ethics of the art market. This led her to research the restitution and repatriation of South Asian art for her honors thesis at the University.
“I think participating in an internship like this one put into perspective the number of different paths people take while navigating the art industry,” Srinivasan said. “I was able to learn about what opportunities are out there, helping me focus on how to maximize my time at UM.”
This summer, Srinivasan is interning in the trusts, estates, and appraisals department at Christie’s, where she is learning about how the company assists clients with the management and transaction of their collections.
She is excited to be back in New York and plans to take advantage of the city’s vibrant art scene by visiting museums and galleries.
Srinivasan, who grew up in Central Florida, was drawn to the University in part by the cognate program, which she saw as an opportunity to take classes on a variety of different subjects. “I think the University’s interest in making sure students are well-rounded was really helpful to me,” she said.
One of the experiences Srinivasan has enjoyed in the College of Arts and Sciences is ArtLab @ the Lowe, a class that provides students with the opportunity to help curate an exhibition at the Lowe Art Museum. Srinivasan traveled to Japan while taking the class and learned about the curatorial process and the museum industry.
After she graduates in December, Srinivasan plans to go to law school. She is drawn to several different areas within art law, including estate planning and the restitution of stolen artwork.
“I have a passion for learning about the contemporary art market, but also about how to address the historical injustices within the art world,” she said.
