Top tips and takeaways from leading women in art business at the Association of Women in the Arts event

20/20 Vision, AWITA London @AWITALondon

30th April 2018 at Phillips Auction House, Berkeley Square, London.

Overview:

The event was a rapid-fire discussion pairing 20 women from the art world. Each pair answered three questions based around a particular theme, ranging from creating, innovating to juggling, to risking. The discussions were moderated by Melanie Gerlis, Art Market Columnist and Contributor (Financial Times, The Art Newspaper)

Speaker top tips:

• “On creativity: It’s easy to make simple ideas complex, the real skill is in making the complex simple.”
• “The sign of a good editor is one that knows what to say ‘no’ to”
• “In order for women to succeed there must be more trust in output over presentism” (flexi working hours)
• “No experience is wasted”
• “Innovate: The future of the art market is in digital”
• “It’s OK to say ‘I don’t know’, it helps you learn to seek those you can learn from
• “Instagram is not real, parties and fluff is great but you have to work hard”
• “Work as hard as you can”
• “We all feel like a fraud at times. Cheat as much as you can, do as much as you can on your phones”
• “Know your client - don’t assume they know more or less than you”
• “You can be the best advisor in the world but it doesn’t mean anything will go to plan!”
• “You are at the whim of the client”
• “Photography is an accessible area of the art market -it’s undervalued but it’s a great place to start for young collectors”
• “Starting your own business- Don’t underestimate the value of having a really detailed business plan”
• “Be prepared for the highs and lows when starting a business”
• “Consider art fairs as a flexible presence over permanent a gallery space”
• “Opening a gallery - Everything you do has to be true to you and your vision and personality”
• “It’s great growing up with people in the art industry, from intern to owner, getting to know people along the way who can support your endeavours”
• “One persons success shouldn’t be at someone else’s expense”

The full list of speakers included: Andrea Schlieker, Director of Commissions and Special Projects at White Cube; Anita Zabludowicz, Founder and Director of the Zabludowicz Collection; Anna Kirrage, Director of Black Box Projects; Cat Manson, Global Head of Communications for Christie's International; Cheyenne Westphal, Chair of Phillips; Emma Dexter, Director of Visual Arts, British Council; Emily Pethick, Director of The Showroom; Emily Tsingou, Art Advisor; Helen Legg, Director of Spike Island and soon-to-be Director of Tate Liverpool; Ingrid Swenson, Director of PEER; Jan Dalley, Arts Editor, Financial Times; Jasmin Pelham, Founding Director, Pelham Communications; Lyndsey Ingram, Director of Lyndsey Ingram Gallery; Morgan Long, Senior Director, The Fine Art Group; Nazy Vassegh, Senior Strategic Consultant in Art and Culture; Polly Robinson Gaer, Executive Director, Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, London; Sue Webster, artist; Wendy Goldsmith, Director of Goldsmith Art Advisory; Yana Peel, CEO of the Serpentine Galleries and Zoe Whitley, Curator of International Art, Tate Modern.

ABOUT AWITA:

The Association of Women in the Arts brings together inspirational women working in the arts to share contacts, mentor each other, collaborate and create a new kind of community. We want gallery owners to connect with curators, arts journalists to connect with dealers, art advisors to share with academics in a lively, informal atmosphere. The network strives to:

Ensure greater recognition of and support for the achievement of women in the art world. 

Help create a market aimed at increasing the opportunities available.

Support collaboration to expand existing and to create new projects

Encourage the next generation of young women interested in pursuing a career in the art world.

Promote equal employment practices in the cultural sector and highlight the specific issues facing women.

https://awita.london/

Hannah Payne.