How Creatives Build Lasting Careers
Art100 International | The Long Game

Thursday 16 July | 14:00 BST | Online | Free

Success in the art world rarely happens overnight.

The artists who build lasting careers are rarely those chasing a single breakthrough moment – they are the ones creating momentum through visibility, recognition, relationships, and sustained opportunities over time.

Join us for this free online event exploring how artists can think beyond the next open call, exhibition, or sale and begin building a career that compounds.

Together with leading voices from the art world and creative industries, we’ll discuss why repeated exposure matters more than isolated wins, how institutional recognition can unlock future opportunities, and why physical publication and documented achievements continue to hold value in an increasingly digital landscape.

Whether you are emerging or established, this session will offer practical insight into building a career designed for longevity.

What we’ll cover

•⁠ ⁠Why consistency and repeated exposure often create more opportunity than one-off success
•⁠ ⁠How institutional recognition can strengthen credibility and open new pathways
•⁠ ⁠The relationship between visibility, trust, and long-term collector engagement
•⁠ ⁠Why physical publications and documented achievements still matter in a digital-first world
•⁠ ⁠How artists can build a career ecosystem rather than relying on individual moments
•⁠ ⁠What curators, platforms, and market professionals look for when identifying artists with long-term potential
•⁠ ⁠Practical ways to create momentum and maintain visibility over time

Who is this for?

This session is for artists at any stage who want to think more strategically about their long-term career – building visibility, developing recognition, and creating a body of work and reputation that compounds over time.

Early-career and established artists are equally welcome.

Meet the Speakers

Tom Best | The Auction Collective
Trained at Christie’s and one of the youngest auctioneers in the company’s history, Tom Best has sold everything from contemporary art to rare collectibles across 14 countries and four continents. In 2018, he founded The Auction Collective, helping artists, organisations, and brands run their own auctions through innovative and accessible auction technology. A passionate advocate for expanding access and creating opportunities, Tom has helped raise more than £20 million for over 300 charities worldwide. He brings a rare combination of art market expertise, commercial insight, and enthusiasm for helping creatives succeed.

Ben Edmonds | Senior Curator, Artfinder Ben plays a key role in shaping Artfinder’s artistic direction, bringing over 15 years of experience across artist management, talent scouting, and publishing. He is currently focused on growing Artfinder’s global community with emerging and innovative talent, and has a strong track record of identifying artists at the start of careers that go on to matter.

Shirley-Ann O’Neill | VAA Founder & Director Shirley-Ann is a seasoned arts director and curator with over 20 years of experience working with creatives worldwide. She is the 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. Her curated exhibitions have been featured on BBC, Sky News, and the International New York Times. She has previously served on the selection committee for The Other Art Fair London by Saatchi Art.

Laura O’Hare is a co-founder and Director of the Visual Artists Association, with over a decade of experience in the fine arts sector. She leads the artistic and business development of VAA and serves as Director of the Visual Art Open Prize, the Professional Artist Award, and the International Exhibition and Scholarship Prize. With an extensive network spanning arts organisations, galleries, collectors, and commercial partners, and a background as a solicitor specialising in Employment Law, Laura brings a rare combination of creative and professional expertise to supporting artists at every stage of their careers.

For any questions, contact events@visual-artists.org