Ali Güreli is an entrepreneur, cultural leader and founder and chairman of Contemporary Istanbul, one of the region’s leading contemporary art fairs. For over two decades, he has championed Istanbul as a global hub for artistic exchange, bringing together artists, institutions, collectors and international audiences. Working at the intersection of art, culture and urban development, Güreli brings valuable insight into the role of creativity in fostering dialogue, shaping cultural identity and building connections across borders.
Anders Petterson is the founder and CEO of ArtTactic Ltd, a London-based art market research and analysis company established in 2001. A pioneer in using crowd-sourcing techniques to gather art market intelligence, ArtTactic publishes global reports in collaboration with partners including Deloitte, Hiscox, Mishcon de Reya, Sophie Macpherson SML, and Sotheby’s. Anders regularly lectures on art market topics at Sotheby’s Institute, Christie’s Education, and ESA Beirut, and served as a founding board member of PAIAM from 2011 to 2021.
Chimere Cissé is an art collector and founder with over a decade of experience in the cultural sector. She launched ArtKōrero in 2021 to connect commercial engagement with the arts and recently founded STELLA Alliance to increase the visibility of women art collectors. Previously, she represented the United Nations International Trade Centre and held senior roles at Burberry, Hearst UK, Harper’s Bazaar, and ELLE. Dedicated to philanthropy, she actively supports global charities including the British Council and Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation, where she is a long-standing committee chair.
Divya Sharma is a London-based British Indian textile artist and an alumna of the Royal College of Art, London. Her practice brings together myth, memory, and the cultural world of her mother tongue, Tamil. She was recently awarded the Visual Artists Association International Scholarship Award for 2025. She has conceived and curated five shows as founder of The Neulinge Collective and the Post-Colonials Collective. She is also the founder and host of the ARTiculate podcast and broadcasts on Apple Podcasts.
Dr. Shwetal Patel is a writer and researcher working at the intersection of contemporary visual art, exhibition-making, and development studies. A founding member of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, he played a key role in launching the initiative and building its international partnerships. He holds a practice-based PhD from the Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, and lectures internationally at institutions such as the Zürich University of the Arts, the Royal College of Art, and the University of Exeter. He also serves as trustee for the Milton Keynes Museum, Coventry Biennial, and the Kakar Centre of Psychoanalysis & Culture.
Jeffrey Boloten is Director of Art Business and Enterprise Programmes at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London. He co-founded and serves as Managing Director of ArtInsight Ltd., the educational partner of art market research firm ArtTactic. With a background in law, publishing (including Penguin Books), and institutional roles at the Tate and a London art college, Jeffrey is a frequent speaker on the global art, photography, and art investment markets. He also co-directs Sotheby’s Enterprise Studio and is a founding member of PAIAM (Professional Advisors to the International Art Market).
Leo Crane is a producer, artist and educator with over 25 years of experience across physical and digital creative industries. He has founded three creative studios and in 2024, established the AI Film Academy, focusing on innovation in contemporary moving image practice. He leads courses in art and art business at Sotheby’s Institute of Art and serves on the board of Animate Projects. His artistic practice spans animated film, figurative painting and experimental digital works, and his work has been widely exhibited, screened and awarded internationally. He is currently producing his debut feature film The Masterpiece of Tamagata, and is the author of Contemporary Figures in Watercolour (2021).
Mark Davy is the founder of Futurecity, a multidisciplinary agency dedicated to culture-driven placemaking. He has led private sector investment in major art projects including the Crossrail Culture Line, the Illuminated River Project, and the cultural strategy for Wembley Park. Mark is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and contributes to several boards and panels, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Advisory Panel, Hypha Studios, the Land Economic Society, the NLA Expert Panel for Culture, and the National Trust Regional Advisory Group.
Marta Orsola Sironi is a curator and critic based between Milan and London. She is co-founder and curator of MEGA Art Fair, which reimagines the art fair as an immersive, curated experience activating regenerated urban spaces with exhibitions, performances, talks, and music. Together with Mauro Mattei, she co-directs BeAdvisors Art Department, producing curated shows, cultural events, and collectors’ programmes across international art calendars. Her research focuses on decolonial feminism, identity, language, and memory, with a strong interest in urban space as a site of resistance.
Nicole Schoeni is an art dealer, collector, patron, and founder of Schoeni Projects. Previously, Nicole was the director of Schoeni Art Gallery, one of Asia's most influential art venues. Nicole has since curated the Hong Kong section of the China 8 exhibition and has consulted on arts projects such as for the Grand Lisboa Palace in Macau. She is an active patron of numerous foundations, is on the advisory team for Arts for Good Foundation, and sits on the Board of Directors of Asian Art in London.
Portuguese visual artist Paulo Arraiano explores the intersections of art, culture, nature, and technology through a multidisciplinary practice. He is co-founder of Re_Act Contemporary, an international art laboratory and residency programme based in the Azores that fosters dialogue between artists, researchers, and communities around pressing ecological, social, and cultural issues. Arraiano offers a distinctive perspective on the role of art in shaping how we understand and engage with a rapidly changing world. Portfolio
Rena Neville is Director of Corinth Consulting Ltd and Head of FCS Compliance Art Division. With over 30 years at Sotheby’s, she was the company’s first Global Compliance Director and previously served as European General Counsel and Global Head of Litigation. Today, she advises the art market on anti-money laundering compliance and is a frequent speaker on the subject, including recent talks at Harvard Law School and the Art Business Conference in Maastricht during TEFAF.
Roxane Zand is a Harvard and Oxford educated specialist in Middle Eastern art and culture. After three years at UNESCO and roles at the Iran Heritage Foundation and Asia House, she joined Sotheby’s in 2006 as Director for the Middle East and Gulf, rising to Deputy Chairman and Senior Director, before stepping down in 2020 to lead her own art advisory consultancy. She continues to serve as Arts Editor for the Encyclopaedia Islamica, advises through the Pictet Art Prize Advisory Council, and has authored several publications, including Geometry and Art: In the Modern Middle East.
Sigrid Kirk is a curator, adviser, and strategist who co-founded the Association of Women in the Arts (AWITA) in 2016. AWITA brings together women working across the arts sector through mentoring, collaboration, and a shared community. In addition, each year Kirk and her husband collaborate with Te Tuhi Gallery in Auckland to help fund an artist residency at Yorkshire Sculpture Park for Māori and Pacific Island artists. The couple are also patrons of Dundee Contemporary Arts,  Fruitmarket Gallery, Gasworks, Studio Voltaire, Iniva, and Goldsmiths CCA.
Sylwia Krason is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Contemporary Lynx Magazine, an international arts publication and organisation based in London. Since 2013, she has connected bold artistic voices with global audiences, with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe and emerging markets. She is also President of the Contemporary Lynx Foundation in Warsaw and regularly serves as a juror and panel moderator at major international art events, including Art Basel. Trained in art history and arts management in Kraków, Berlin, and London, she is currently based in Paris.
Ulrich Schrauth is a curator, artist, and creative director of UBS Digital Art Museum in Hamburg. Schrauth is also the founder of VRHAM! Biennale, shaping new ways of presenting and experiencing digital Art. Working between Hamburg and London, he also heads the Immersive Programme at the British Film Institute (BFI) and serves on the British Council’s Advisory Board for Arts and Creative Economy. In addition, he curates the digital section of Art Dubai, the premier international art fair for digital media. Ulrich is a jury member for prestigious awards such as the Lumen Prize and the Fedora Digital Art Prize, and is a regular speaker at major events including the Venice Biennale, SXSW, and the Cannes Film Festival. Portfolio

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Networking for Artists 101

Networking: a term that strikes fear into the heart of any introvert.  Yet, it is one of the most important skills for all emerging artists and creatives.  Many people feel that networking is a mysterious form of social magic that one is naturally able or unable to cast.  However, this is a common misconception.  Just like any other creative or communicative skill, networking is an art that can be learned and developed.  Don’t be afraid: the Art Voyage 101 guide to artist networking is here to help!

What is Networking?

The word “networking” is often associated with a vague sheen of corporate schmooze, bringing to mind stilted, impersonal small talk and unsolicited copy-paste LinkedIn messages.  But networking is not just about self-promotion and sales – it is an opportunity to share who you are and find your own creative community.  

Artist networking is the process of building a “network” of contacts with artists, curators, collectors, gallerists, etc. as part of developing your professional reputation and building an artistic brand.  In practice, it simply means talking to and learning from other creatives and professionals in your field – not so intimidating when you put it like that, is it?

Where Do I Network?

Any art-related event is a great opportunity to meet fellow artists, collectors, and enthusiasts.  Some examples include art fairs, exhibition openings, gallery lates, and talks from curators or other experts.  Engaging with artist groups and collectives in your area, or attending local workshops and meetups, are often less formal and can be less intimidating places to get started.  You could also try volunteering at a gallery or art institution.  

Digital and Remote Networking

Online platforms allow us to form connections with people all across the world with the click of a button, which makes them excellent networking tools when used correctly.  Social media sites have therefore become invaluable platforms for any creative, especially for those who live further away from the major cultural centres in big cities.  

It’s great to have a blend of “traditional” networking platforms, like LinkedIn, and “non-traditional” platforms such as Instagram, X, Threads and TikTok, as these allow for a broader range of connection and help to grow your audience (for more information, be sure to check out our resource on Social Media for Artists).  

How Do I Network

Research, Research, Research

Make your networking more targeted, efficient and effective by doing as much research as possible.  Never contact a gallery or gallerist without looking into their existing collections, target audience and organisational values.  If you aren’t a good match, it’s a waste of their time and yours.  Effective research will also help you discover new places, events, and fellow artists to connect with.

Respect Personal & Professional Boundaries

Respect your connections’ space, time and boundaries: as a rule, keep all interactions concise and courteous.  Few people have time to listen to a long speech or presentation about your work, so you should practice introducing yourself and your work in a few sentences.

Confidence and assertiveness are invaluable life skills, but one of the most important aspects of any networking interaction is knowing when to step back.  Being pushy, rude, or invasive can lose potential opportunities or even get you blacklisted.  It may sound obvious, but being polite is crucial to success.  Bear in mind that when making international connections, language barriers and different standards of appropriate conduct may apply.  For example, different cultures may consider handshakes, bows, or other gestures to be professional greetings.

You should also be mindful of your digital footprint and protect your reputation by creating and maintaining healthy, professional digital boundaries.  Sending business enquiries to a collector’s personal private Instagram, or marketing yourself via a Facebook account containing your family photos and holiday snaps rarely gets the desired results.

Look For Genuine Connection

Networking is, in essence, the art of conversation – it’s all about building connections.  You should show a genuine interest in the person you are talking to, and not just what they can offer; this means you should be listening just as much as, if not more than, you are talking.  Practice active listening, ask follow-up questions and show attentive body language.  

If you struggle with some of these skills, practice with a trusted friend or mentor.  Public speaking experts recommend recording yourself and watching it back to pick up on your verbal and nonverbal cues, such as body language, pitch, and pace, which can all contribute to a more confident, engaging impression.  However, over-practicing can also make the wrong impression, as it can seem too polished or stilted.  It sounds cheesy, but “be yourself” is a cliche for a reason.

Don’t forget that these connections go both ways: “positive networking” involves considering what you can offer back.  This can include reaching out to other emerging artists, offering advice, or hosting workshops.  Sharing your knowledge and experience in this way benefits everyone and helps turn networking into a mutual process of building professional communities.

Follow Up

Today, it is considered best practice to send a follow-up message or email the day after a meeting.  This helps to solidify the connection and will make a stronger impression in the mind of your conversation partner.  These do’s and don’ts are best practice for 

  • DO briefly re-introduce yourself.  Your conversation partner at any networking event has likely met a lot of people in a short space of time, and will appreciate the reminder. 
  • DO refer to one or two specific points from your conversation that you found interesting or insightful.
  • DO use relatively formal, polite language from a professional email address.  Emailing from [full name]@artvoyage.org makes a better impression than artmaster3000@hotmail.com. Non-professional email addresses are also more likely to be marked as spam.  If you are reaching out via Instagram or another platform, use your business/artist account rather than your personal page.
  • DON’T message at unusual hours.  Sending an email at 3 AM is seen as unprofessional and may mean your message is less likely to be noticed.  If you prefer to work in the evenings or early mornings, it can be helpful to schedule your messages to automatically send during business hours.  If you are working internationally, make sure you take time zones into account.  
  • DON’T forget to check spelling and grammar.  Poor written communication sends a message of carelessness.  Remember that spellcheck and proofreading software such as Grammarly do not catch everything.  Always double-check names and titles (Mr, Mrs, Ms, Mx, Dr, etc.) as errors cause confusion at best and offence at worst. 

Have Fun!

The term “networking” rings somewhat clinical, but it doesn’t have to be.  Broadening your horizons, meeting new people, and discovering opportunities are all exciting parts of your creative journey.  Aside from the basic etiquette guidelines outlined above, there are no hard and fast rules of engagement: you can tailor your process entirely to fit your preferences.

Further Reading

Here are some more helpful resources across different platforms to help you form great connections and grow your career through networking.

If you want to take your learning even further, many platforms and organisations offer professional coaching or courses for artist networking.  For example, Blue Rhino Art Consultancy, a partner organisation of Art Voyage, offers Artist Mentorship packages, which you can learn about here.

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