Cultural Capital: Innovating Connections Between Art, Business, and Sustainable Leadership
This panel will explore the transformative connections between art and business, shedding light on how these intersections create dynamic networks that bridge emerging and established careers. With a particular emphasis on empowering women leaders and promoting sustainable cultural practices, the discussion will highlight the critical role of art in shaping more inclusive, forward-thinking industries.
Featuring speakers at the forefront of curatorial strategy, art finance, and cultural entrepreneurship, the session will delve into the innovative strategies used to cultivate meaningful relationships and networks that drive creativity, innovation, and growth in the modern art world. From building cross-disciplinary collaborations to leveraging cultural capital for sustainable leadership, this conversation will provide a unique perspective on how art and business intersect to create new opportunities and address pressing global challenges.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into the practical and strategic approaches used by industry leaders to foster cultural and economic impact. This panel is a must-attend for those interested in exploring the future of art, business, and leadership in a rapidly evolving cultural landscape.
Lucy-Anne Garnett is a Senior Art Advisor with Citi Private Bank Art Advisory & Finance, EMEA where she helps collectors source, build, and borrow against museum quality collections. Lucy specialises in Impressionist, Post-War and Contemporary art. Prior to joining Citi, Lucy worked for 20 years across various aspects of the art market. She spent her formative years at Christie's in New York and London, before becoming an Executive Director of the Waterhouse and Dodd Gallery in London. At W&D, she led their art fairs in London, New York, Palm Beach, and Los Angeles, and went on to spearhead the gallery's fine art broking business for collectors. Lucy set up her own art advisory business, Art Garnett Ltd, in 2007, advising a portfolio of international HNW private and corporate clients in the acquisition and sale of Post-War and Contemporary fine art. Sourcing largely from private collections and artists estates, she acquired works by the pioneers of British Art. Additionally, Lucy oversaw a diverse range of client projects, from advising on and managing the sale of a multi-million-pound Indian painting collection through Christie's New York, to building a Contemporary art collection of female emerging artists for a UK-based Middle Eastern client. Lucy has conceptualized and managed numerous art events, including private collection tours, art talks, and sponsorship programs for corporate institutions. A passionate supporter of the arts, she has also established, on behalf of her clients, patronage of galleries, non-profit foundations, and educational organisations.
Sigrid Kirk was born in New Zealand and has an MA in the History of Art from the University of Auckland. She runs her own curatorial, advisory and strategy business with a strong interest in sustainable cultural production. Kirk is a committed supporter of arts institutions and over the years has been trustee of the Drawing Room and Cubitt, Advisory Board of Glasgow International, and Ikon Gallery, Birmingham. She and her husband are patrons of Dundee Contemporary Arts, Drawing Room, Fruitmarket Gallery Edinburgh, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Gasworks, Studio Voltaire, INIVA, South London Gallery and CCA Goldsmiths among others. She was guest curator for the Royal Society of Sculptors summer exhibition in 2021. Recently she curated the art for the private members club Maison Estelle and Estelle Manor in the Cotswolds, as well as a showcase for luxury interiors brand Zoffany at the new generation art fair Eye of the Collector. Kirk is currently completing an Executive Masters in Culture Leadership at the University of Maastricht.
Katy Wickremesinghe is the creator of The Wick, a content platform and hub to connect the culturally curious. Katy is a top 5 Luxury power player (PR Week PowerBook 2020 & 2021), and formed KTW in 2014 after a decade at Freuds. A committed cultural advocate and philanthropist, Katy serves as an RA, Serpentine Future Contemporaries and V&A Young Patron. She is also committed to mentoring as part of The Association of Women in The Arts (AWITA), Art Market Mentors (AMM) and Warwick Business School. Katy holds a number of prominent advisory board roles including: The Line and previously the Clinton Foundation. In December 2020 she became the youngest ever appointed Trustee of the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Katy is becoming known as a leading voice working across art and business. By developing programmes that cross pollinate culture, commerce and creativity, The Wick brings together seemingly disparate entities into one cultural dialogue whilst offering business expertise to maximise revenue capabilities. Talks and panels have included The Art of Love in conversation with Kate Bryan at Fortnum & Mason; The Healing Power of Art as part of Goals House to mark the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations, Communications Strategies in a Time of Crisis with AWITA and Collect Art Fair 2021.
WHEN: Thursday, 13 March 2025
5.30 PM – 6.30 PM: Fireside discussion in Keynes Lecture Theatre
6.30 PM – 7.15 PM: Drinks reception and networking in the Bar
WHERE: King’s College, Cambridge
TICKETS: tickets will be released in 2025