Echoes of Migration Summit 2025
Location: Royal Society of Arts (RSA), 8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ
Date: 10th October 2025, Friday
Art Voyage Biennial is proud to present its first annual summit, Echoes of Migration, to celebrate migrant narratives as part of our wider mission to provide global opportunities for the art world’s most vital artistic voices through our novel nomadic cultural programme.
Join us — your support makes this summit possible!
Key Details :
- Doors open at 8:30 am — arrive early and make the most of the day.
An immersive full-day programme featuring:
5 dynamic panel discussions with 20 international speakers + audience Q&A
Inspiring performance art by immigrant artists
The unveiling of a mobile installation created by Lewisham community with artist Alice Burnhope
Opportunities to connect and network throughout the day
Breaks & refreshments are scheduled across the programme to recharge and mingle for all ticket holders.
Networking lunch is exclusive to VIP tickets. All ticket holders also have full access to the RSA’s café and restaurant.
Accessibility: The venue is fully accessible, including wheelchair and low-mobility access.
Additional support: If you need a translator or special assistance, please let us know in advance — we’ll be happy to help and ensure you have a remarkable experience!
Community access: If you would like to join but are unable to afford a ticket, please contact us before 1 October — we’ll do our best to support your participation.
Conatct us : +7388061078 info@artvoyagebiennial.org.uk
About the Echoes of Migration Summit 2025
Awarded funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England the Echoes of Migration Summit 2025 is more than a conference — it is a cultural statement. This one-day gathering will launch Art Voyage’s vision for innovation in the arts, exploring migration, identity, and contemporary creativity.
The Summit takes place on 10 October 2025 at London’s prestigious Royal Society of Arts (RSA), a historic institution renowned for its commitment to social progress, education, and community-focused initiatives. Originally envisioned for a community space, hosting the summit at the RSA allows us to honour that spirit while amplifying local voices on an international stage, connecting them with cultural leaders, policymakers, and changemakers.
The programme features dynamic panel discussions, live performances, and the unveiling of a mobile installation created with the Lewisham community and artist Alice Burnhope. Echoes of Migration convenes artists, curators, philanthropists, and educators to co-create a platform for dialogue, imagination, and systemic change, centring migrant voices as agents of creativity, care, and cultural connection.
This summit also marks the official launch of Art Voyage Biennial CIC’s international programme, setting the stage for our first biennial in 2027.
SUMMIT AGENDA
MORNING
09:00 Welcome reception: Registration, tea/coffee and networking
09:30 Keynote by Lucy Littlewood (Summit Chair)
09:45 Panel 1 – Celebrating Cultural Diversity in Contemporary Art
Moderator: Daniela Bianco-Duppen [Artscapy], Speakers: Dr. Shwetal A Patel [Kochi-Muziris Biennale], Sarah Le Quang Sang [SLQS gallery], Alina Davey [Sotheby’s Auction House] and Alice Burnhope [Artist- Cockpit Studios]
This panel explores how migrant artists use contemporary art to preserve cultural traditions while embracing new influences. It examines the role of technology, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement in maintaining cultural diversity in the arts.
10:30 Panel 2 – The Role of Cultural Memory & Heritage
Moderator: Erika Loch [ProjecTile], Speakers: Rose Issa [Rose Issa Projects], Daniela Bianco-Duppen [Artscapy], Paulo Arraiano [Re_act Contemporary] and Marta Orsola Sironi [MEGA Art Fair]
This discussion delves into how migrant artists reframe cultural memory through storytelling, archives, and collective memory. It highlights how public art fosters identity and a sense of belonging, particularly in areas like Lewisham.
11:15 Unveiling: mobile art installation by Alice Burnhope (Award-winning textile artist)
11:20 Short break – Tea/coffee and networking
MIDDAY
11:45 Panel 3 – Decentralising the Arts: Beyond Central London
Moderator: Dr. Shwetal A. Patel [Kochi-Muziris Biennale], Speakers: Tamsin Ace [East Bank], Mark Davy [Futurecity] and Sylwia Krason [Contemporary Lynx Magazine]
This panel addresses the need for cultural investment in areas outside central London, focusing on how public art can engage communities and transform underrepresented spaces.
12:30 Lunch break. RSA Café House access for all ticket holders; Catered lunch is just included in VIP tickets.
AFTERNOON
13:45 “Songs Across Borders”, Performance Art by Migrant Artists
14:00 Panel 4 – The Role of Cultural Institutions in Supporting Migrant Artists
Moderator: Roxane Zand [ZandFineArts], Speakers: Bengi Ünsal [ICA], Andy Ash [Artist & Researcher] and Jonathan Burton [Cockpit Studios]
Exploring the power of digital platforms in fostering cultural belonging, this panel looks at how technology supports artistic exchange and connects displaced communities.
14:45 Short break – Tea/coffee and networking
15:00 Panel 5 – Beyond Patronage: Evolving Next-Gen Art Philanthropy
Moderator: Jeffrey Boloten [ArtInsight, Sotheby’s Institute of Art], Speakers: Anders Petterson [ArtTactic], Rena Neville [Corinth Consulting Ltd / FCS Compliance] and Chimere Cisse [STELLA Alliance]
As public funding contracts and markets fluctuate, a new generation of patrons is redefining how culture is financed, through pooled funds, community ownership, impact investing, and tech-enabled giving. This panel explores what “next-gen” philanthropy truly means in practice: shifting power to artists and migrant communities, valuing cultural impact beyond ticket sales, and building institutions that can weather uncertainty.
It also explores how trust, transparency, and financial integrity are vital to this transformation. From due diligence and governance to compliance and safeguarding against financial crime, speakers will examine how ethical giving fosters confidence and ensures that philanthropy becomes a transformative force for migrant-led cultural change, not just a transaction.
15:50 Closing speech by Lucy Littlewood
15:55 “Melody in Motion” – Performance art by migrant artists
EVENING
16:00 VIP Reception – Cultural Highlights, Drinks & Networking (VIP access only)
19:00 Closing
Meet our summit Chair
lucy littlewood
Arts Leader & Chair of the Board of Trustees of Turner’s House
Lucy is a dedicated arts leader passionate about using creativity for social impact. She has raised over £100m across roles in the private, public, and third sectors, including leadership positions at the Museum of the Home, British Council, Serpentine Galleries, and National Trust. A former award-winning television presenter and producer, she blends creativity with strategic vision. Lucy chairs Turner’s House in Richmond and Jerusalem Productions, directing its media arm Four8, and volunteers with the International Group, supporting refugees and asylum seekers.
meet our speakers
Dr.Shwetal Ashvin patel
Writer, Researcher and Founding Member of Kochi-Muziris Biennale
Dr. Shwetal Ashvin 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 (2012), 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.
Paulo arraiano
Visual Artist; Trustee at Korp Foundation & Co-founder of Re_act Contemporary
Paulo is a visual artist whose work explores the intersections of body, landscape, and technology. His practice investigates “visual seismography,” tracing shifts across natural, social, and cultural paradigms with a focus on the climate crisis, the biosphere, and the Anthropocene. He is co-founder of Re_act Contemporary in the Azores, a Board Trustee at Korp Foundation, and Course Director of New Media in Contemporary Arts at the Cascais School of Arts and Design.
Andy ash
Artist & Researcher
Andy is an artist whose practice spans sculpture, film, drawing, photography, print, and installation, exploring the intersections of art, education, and science. His work often engages with memory, perception, mental health, and neurodiversity, including collaborations with neuroscientists. Andy has exhibited and worked with institutions such as Tate Britain, Tate Exchange, ICA, and the Freelands Foundation, and has held academic roles across four Russell Group universities, mentoring generations of emerging artists. He is based in Portslade and a member of the Red Herring artist studio co-operative.
Tamsin ace
Director of East Bank
Tamsin is the Director of East Bank, the UK’s newest cultural and education quarter on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. She has extensive experience collaborating with institutions including London College of Fashion, UAL, UCL East, Sadler’s Wells East, the V&A, and BBC Music Studios, leading creative strategy and programme development. Her work focuses on unlocking the collective potential of cultural organisations while engaging meaningfully with local communities.
jeffrey boloten
Co-Founder of ArtInsight & Director of Art Business and Enterprise Programmes
Jeffrey is Director of Art Business and Enterprise Programs 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).
daniela bianco-duppen
Art Advisor
Daniela is an art advisor with over 17 years of experience in fine art sales and collection management, specialising in pop art prints and contemporary artworks. She has worked with Artsy Private Sales and galleries across Milan, London, and Brussels, and curates online exhibitions and content through her blog The Blonde Art Dealer and the podcast Secrets of the Art Business. Daniela’s mission is to connect art lovers with artists, making the art world more transparent, accessible, and inclusive.
jonathan burton
CEO of Cockpit Studios
Jonathan is a cultural leader specialising in fine art and craft, serving as CEO of Cockpit Studios. He has extensive experience in arts and culture, having led marketing at English National Opera and Tate, overseeing campaigns for major exhibitions including Olafur Eliasson’s The Weather Project and retrospectives for Bridget Riley and Barnett Newman. Jonathan has also held senior management roles as Director of London Art Fair and Managing Director of London Craft Week.
alice burnhope
Textile artist & artist educator
Alice is an award-winning textile artist and educator based at Cockpit Studios, London. Her practice focuses on sustainability, community engagement, and sensory experiences, transforming waste materials into tactile, immersive artworks that explore nature, mental wellbeing, and human connection. Alice has exhibited across the UK and internationally, including at Arthouse Jersey, Hayward Gallery, and Alexandra Palace, and leads workshops for institutions such as Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, and the Royal Academy of Arts.
chimere cisse
Founder of Cissé
Chimere 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.
alina davey
Head of Sotheby’s Collectors Group, EMEA
Alina joined Sotheby’s Russian Department in 2004 and has been a key member of the London Private Client Group since 2007, advising private and corporate collections on acquisitions. She has led major client and strategic initiatives, strengthening relationships with prominent collectors, and has championed new business opportunities, including master classes on art collecting and organizing travelling exhibitions.
mark davy
Founder of Future City
Mark 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.
rose issa
Founder of Rose Issa Projects
Rose Issa is a London-based curator, writer, and publisher who has championed visual arts and cinema from South West Asia and North Africa (S.W.A.N.A.) for over three decades. She has been instrumental in bringing artists, filmmakers, and cultural practitioners from the region to international recognition. Through exhibitions, publications, and collaborations with major institutions, Issa has highlighted themes of identity, migration, and heritage, while fostering emerging talent and cross-cultural dialogue. Her pioneering work continues to shape global understanding of contemporary SWANA art.
sylwia krason
founder and Editor-in-Chief of Contemporary Lynx Magazine
Sylwia 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.
erika loch
Commercial Consultant & Brand Strategist; Founder of PROJECTile & Creator of WORDS by Erika Loch
Erika has a multi-sector career spanning fashion, branding, and the arts. After working with leading British brands and start-ups, she co-founded PROJECTile in 2017 to support purpose-driven businesses through branding, content, and communications. Alongside her consultancy, she develops creative writing projects—including poetry, lyrics, and a forthcoming book—and in 2024 launched WORDS by Erika Loch, a bespoke service using poetry to illuminate artists, brands, and cultural spaces.
sarah le quang sang
Founder of SLQS Gallery
Sarah is a London-based gallerist and artist, founder of SLQS Gallery, which champions intergenerational women and queer artists. With a background in business, theatre, and performance making, she co-directed the Procreate Project, supporting artist mothers and curating initiatives like the Mother Art Prize. Her work is driven by inclusivity, resilience, and creating spaces where diverse artists can express their multiple roles freely and safely.
rena neville
Founder & Director, Corinth Consulting Ltd; Head of Art Division, FCS Compliance
Rena 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.
marta orsola sironi
co-founder and curator of MEGA Art Fair
Marta 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 dialogue and resistance.
anders petterson
Founder of ArtTactic
Anders 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.
bengi ünsal
Director of ICA
Bengi is Director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London, leading a new era of multi-arts programming that bridges underground and mainstream culture. With over 25 years’ international experience, she previously served as Head of Music at Southbank Centre and as Artistic Director of Salon IKSV in Istanbul. Her artist-centred vision challenges curatorial boundaries and positions the ICA as an inclusive hub shaping the future of arts and culture in the UK.
roxane zand
ZandFineArts Consultancy
Roxane 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.
Why Join the Echoes of Migration Summit?
Hear global voices — visionaries and cultural leaders shaping today’s conversations on belonging, creativity, and equity.
Dive into bold panels — challenging perspectives, sparking dialogue, and reimagining how art shapes migration, identity, and community.
Experience live storytelling — powerful performances that bring migration journeys to life through music, spoken word, and visual arts.
Connect globally — forge meaningful relationships with curators, artists, and changemakers from around the world.
Supported by :
Join us!
Your donation to Echoes of Migration, is not just supporting a project – you’re joining a movement that celebrates migrant communities, empowers artists, and transforms public spaces into living places of memory, creativity, and pride.
Together, we can make sure every story is seen, heard, and valued!