This autumn, Culture& and Sotheby’s Institute of Art launched a new fully funded scholarship programme designed to empower and nurture the next generation of diverse leaders in the contemporary art world.

The Cultural Leaders Programme, the first of its kind in the UK, brought together the considerable experience and cultural networks of the two organisations.

Together We Thrive : At Cromwell Place

‘Together We Thrive’ presented by Culture& and Sotheby’s Institute of Art, in collaboration with Gallery OCA, with Cromwell Place as Venue Partner, is a fundraising exhibition for the Cultural Leaders Programme, featuring works donated by leading and emerging artists.

Thank you, AWITA Member Svetlana Leu, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and PR Leader Europe at Gensler, for sharing this with us and answering a spotlight Q&A.

With over 10 years of experience working in the arts and culture sector, Svetlana is a cultural strategy and communications specialist with a passion for diversity and representation. She is skilled in corporate stakeholder and client management, corporate communications, media relations, partnership development, events management, digital programming and charity governance.

Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, she is an art historian by training, having read a BA in History of Art at the University of York. Svetlana is one of the youngest people of colour to hold a Vice Chair position in the art sector in her role as Vice Chair of Culture&, a charity that is dedicated to opening up and diversifying the arts and culture workforce and audiences. Svetlana is a trustee at Mimosa House, which champions female and queer artists. She is also a critical friend to UP Projects, which commissions interventions in the public realm.

How did the collaboration between Culture& and Sotheby’s come about?

The collaboration between Culture& and Sotheby’s Institute of Art was born from a shared vision to support the development of a more diverse art ecosystem. Energised by our belief in the power of education to change lives, we collaborated to launch the Cultural Leaders Programme in 2022 - the first of its kind in the U.K. dedicated to nurturing the next generation of diverse leaders in the commercial art world.

Is there a particular artwork that stands out to you in the Together We Thrive exhibition?

It’s hard to choose just one as we are grateful to have received vibrant works donated by an incredible mix of leading and emerging artists. However I am excited that some of my favourite women artists are part of ‘Together We Thrive’ including Miranda Forrester, Sola Olulode and Adelaide Damoah.

What does Culture& envision for the future of the Cultural Leaders Programme?

We envision a network of diverse alumni who, armed with the rigorous academic training and access provided by the Sotheby’s Institute MA, will confidently go out into the art market to take up their place in the industry. We look forward to seeing our Scholars thrive as future leaders, enriching the art world with their perspectives, knowledge and expertise.

What have you learnt as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for Culture&?

The role has taught me so much about what it means to be a leader - putting the team and board first, investing time and energy in the right places and being willing to go the extra mile to ensure success. As one of the youngest Vice Chairs in the sector, it has also reinforced my belief that we need to open up access and create more opportunities for young people to lead and thrive. Many talented young people in the sector could positively contribute to organisations if they were only given the chance. I’m grateful to have been trusted with this role and I am proud of the opportunities we are creating at Culture& with our partners to support the leaders of the future.

Xavier Laurent Leopold, Learning How to Fly, 2023.

“As someone who believes deeply in the need to diversify the arts and culture sector, I find this to be a hugely important initiative - the first of its kind in the UK. I am delighted to support Culture& and Sotheby’s Institute of Art on Together We Thrive. Together, we aim to not only raise essential funds for the Living Wage Bursary for the Cultural Leaders Program, but also foster a vibrant, diverse community in the art world.”

— Sherece Rainford, Founder at Gallery OCA

Elena Njoabuzia, Onwochei-Garcia, Atlas Stone, 2024.

Sotheby’s Institute

Since 1969, Sotheby's Institute of Art has pioneered the education of art and business. With campuses in London and New York, Sotheby’s Institute puts you at the center of the international art world. For connoisseurs, art world professionals, and lifelong learners, there are online courses, semester-long programs, and summer classes that cover a myriad of art business and art history topics.

Sotheby’s Auction House was founded in 1744 when Samuel Baker, an entrepreneur, occasional publisher, and successful businessman, held his first auction. Today, the Sotheby’s Institute emphasizes a keen understanding of an object’s value and history, a spirit of inquiry and scholarship, business acumen, and innovation that build upon these foundational values.

The Institute offers educational programs for professionals, pre-college audiences, and graduate students seeking expertise in art business and an understanding of the $60 billion global art economy. Their course offerings cover everything from art history to key business skills from their campuses located in the world’s art capitals of London and New York, as well as online.

Courses at Sotheby’s Institute are structured with the guiding principle that education is gained in the classroom, but equally important is hands-on experience and situational context. Institute faculty are experts and leaders in their fields, bringing a wealth of practical knowledge from their professional experiences as well as a solid academic grounding to all students.

Culture&

Culture& is an independent arts and education charity based in London. Formerly known as Cultural Co-operation, we work in partnership with arts and heritage institutions and artists to develop programmes that promote diversity in the workforce and audiences. They aim to open up the arts and heritage workforce through their Strengthening Our Common Life (SOCL) programme, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and 17 partners including: British Museum, British Library, Historic Royal Palaces, the Royal Collection Trust, Southbank Centre, National Army Museum, Norfolk Museums Service and English Heritage.

They provide one-year traineeships with accredited training, supporting diverse individuals in arts and heritage careers, leading to a QCF Level 3 Diploma in Cultural Heritage. They are moving in a new artistic direction of working with contemporary artists and curators, working with collections in new and dynamic projects, and engaging new voices and venues.

Gallery OCA

Gallery OCA specialises in Caribbean Art focusing on art created by artists from and connected to the Caribbean. A gallery committed to elevating Caribbean art, preserving the historic legacy of the islands and commercially empower the sector.

Shereece Rainford

Founder of Gallery OCA, Shereece’s love of her Caribbean heritage and connection to her roots weaves throughout the gallery. Acutely aware of the lack of presence of Caribbean art in the art world she felt called to form a consultancy that would both uplift the Caribbean art niche from a social and commercial standpoint and educate the wider industry and stakeholders.

"Caribbean art is enriching the entire world, not only through the beauty of the art pieces, but also through the historical essence of each piece." - Gallery OCA

Cromwell Place

Cromwell Place is a membership organisation offering a first-of-its-kind exhibition and working space for art professionals. Created as a solution to changing industry demands, our flexible services include exhibition space, viewing rooms, art storage, handling, working facilities, events and a bar and restaurant. Set in the heart of London’s museum district, our terrace of Victorian townhouses is already home to some of the world’s most exciting galleries, institutions, dealers and advisors, with specialities ranging from Antiquities and Old Masters through to the 19th Century Modern and Contemporary art.

Cromwell Place is moments from South Kensington underground station - served by the District, Circle and Piccadilly Lines.

The Cultural Leaders Programme