Creative Futures: Navigating the Art World as a New Artist
13th May | 2pm GMT | Online

Starting out in the art world can feel overwhelming, with unclear pathways, unspoken rules, and competing advice. This panel brings together arts professionals working across curation, artist support, art fairs and career development to demystify what the early stages of an art career really look like.

Speakers

This session brings together a panel of experienced arts professionals who support artists at different stages of their careers, offering complementary perspectives on how the art world operates and how artists can navigate it effectively.

Shirley-Ann O’Neill is the founder of the Visual Artists Association and a leading arts director and curator with over 20 years of experience in the visual arts sector. She is co-author of the internationally bestselling art business books Good Art Does Not Sell Itself and Securing Representation, and leads the Visual Art Open Prize and VAA Artist of the Year Awards. Through her work, Shirley-Ann has supported thousands of artists worldwide, shaping VAA’s CPD and mentorship programmes and advocating for sustainable, professional artist careers.

Ryan Boultbee is a multidisciplinary artist and cultural leader based in the Midlands. He is a Director at No Jobs in the Arts CIC, an organisation dedicated to supporting early-career artists and curators through opportunities, services and representation. Ryan also sits on the committee at Surface Gallery, Nottingham, and brings a grounded, sector-focused perspective on access, equity and career development for emerging creatives.

Hannah Grout is Senior Fair Manager at The Other Art Fair, presented by Saatchi Art. She works closely with UK and international artists, overseeing curation, exhibitor development and feature programming. With a background in art marketing and PR, Hannah offers valuable insight into how artists can position themselves professionally within art fairs and the wider contemporary art market.

Laura O’Hare is Director at the Visual Artists Association and leads the artistic and business development across VAA programmes. With a background in law and over a decade in the fine art sector, Laura has extensive experience supporting artists through prizes, exhibitions, partnerships and professional development initiatives. She works closely with artists to help them navigate the commercial and strategic realities of building a sustainable art career.