5 Tips We Learned From The Art Of Hosting
Thursday 5th September | Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery
Hosting plays a vital role in the art world, serving as a platform to foster connections, nurture clients, launch exhibitions, and support fundraising and sales. As we gear up for a busy autumn season of event hosting, we turned to a panel of experts for their insights on creating joy, sparking meaningful conversations, and achieving successful outcomes in the art of hosting.
The panel included Megan Leckie, Development Advisor and Engagement Strategist for Arts & Culture; Olivia Highland, Senior Consultant at Achates; and Fiona Leahy, one of the industry’s most sought-after event planners. The discussion was expertly moderated by lifestyle journalist Kate Spicer.
The event was beautifully hosted in the Soane Garden Room at Pitzhanger Manor, where heritage and contemporary art meet. As Sir John Soane’s country retreat, with an art collection influenced by his wife Eliza, it was built for entertaining - a hosted home. On view in the main gallery until December 8th is Grayson Perry: The Vanity of Small Differences. Visit the website to see the packed programme of talks and events or visit the manor on one of their monthly Thursday Lates. Also keep Pitzhanger in mind as a venue for any future parties, functions, or special events you may be planning. If you’d like to get in touch, do not hesitate to reach out to jamila.robson@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Here are our top 5 takeaways from the conversation:
1) Purpose-Led Intention Setting
Profile your guests and divide them into 4 to 8 distinct segments so they receive invitations to something they genuinely want to be part of. No matter the category they fall into, you’re not only seeking something from them but also offering something authentic and valuable in return.
2) Creating Magic
We exist in an incredibly magical, creative world and it is a gift to open up the doors to people. We are content producers and have to leverage that. You don’t want to distract or deviate but involving the artist is a great way to stay authentic and pull focus.
3) Hostess with the Mostess
The number of people who don't know each other is always a surprise. As a hostess, your role is to get everyone warmed up, encourage conversations, and try and move people around so they are comfortable and engaged.
4) Look After Your Talent
Pair talents or ambassadors at your event to boost their confidence and ease their nerves, surprisingly artists are often very shy. Also explaining your organization’s financial model helps highlight how their presence drives donations and engagement.
5) Small Touches
The hallmark of a really good dinner or gallery, is things you want to steal, be it a napkin or artist designed menu card. Unexpected and playful is definitely what we should be aiming for.
