From Frieze to Finance: Former Student Ting Ting Zhang on The Unexpected Power of Studying Art History

Art History Link-Up has been a gift in my life. It gave me access to gallery lectures and a chance to research a topic alongside excellent mentors. I studied history of art at the world's finest galleries, something well outside my comfort zone as a state-school student, through Saturday classes, homework clubs and gallery visits. I had a wealth of resources to engage with artworks on my own terms!

AHLU has also opened valuable industry opportunities: for example a free ticket to Frieze, an Art Fund social media takeover day, volunteering at Sir John Soane's Museum, and interning at Christie's. These experiences taught me invaluable lessons and gave me the confidence to work at Pitzhanger Manor Gallery, initiate talks at Edinburgh College of Art (including with the subject of my AHLU EPQ, Sir Richard Long), launch an art and cultural festival in Brixton, and volunteer for Jupiter Artland and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on their 'Arts with Community' initiatives.

I'm currently in my final year at the University of Edinburgh, reading Politics, Philosophy and Economics. It has taught me to view complex issues through different lenses, identify problems from social perspectives, measure costs and benefits, and craft policy proposals. My degree has also taught me never to lose sight of our human side: we should always be empathetic and kind!

I am endlessly curious about how the world works. At Christie’s, I was able to engage with art as an asset class. I conducted thorough research by evaluating historical transactions and macroeconomic trends. It made me curious about investment thinking, financing solutions, and what a sustainable financial system should look like.

At university, I get to study the economics of organisations and conduct financial analysis. I researched AHLU as a pioneering organisation and advised firms to invest in educational technology and innovation, including digital learning platforms in Kenya. Art history, it turns out, is rather good training for investing: it cultivates the critical observation, valuation judgement and contextual analysis needed to assess cultural shifts. Because of my analysis, I was invited to office visits at British International Investment and Baillie Gifford. These companies and individuals share a similar commitment: they invest to create jobs, support economic development and tackle climate change. These missions motivate me deeply. Looking ahead, art history will always be part of my life, and a lifestyle! I hope to solve social problems through creative power, just like Art History Link-Up.

Ting Ting Zhang, AHLU Alumna

Ting Ting completed the Art History for Everyone Programme with Art History Link-Up (AHLU) in 2021-22, and is now in her final year of PPE at the University of Edinburgh. Ting Ting is an active member of AHLU’s alumni network, still pursuing her passion for the arts and art history, and recently participated as an alumna guide at AHLU's 10th Anniversary Event at Spencer House.

View Art History Link-Up's 10th Anniversary film here: https://youtu.be/NBP6zsUriFk

View Art History Link-Up's 10th Anniversary brochure here.