All About Art

This week’s episode of All About Art talks about money 💶💰💸👛💷✨👩‍💻.

The art world - well, in every profession I think, not just in our bubble - only speaks about it in whispers or over a few glasses of wine (if at all) but the silence around salaries and financial sustainability is actively harming people, especially those without a financial safety net behind them. Espeically now, when on last weekend’s episode of Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC, Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott (Conservative MP) stated that the Conservatives plan to stop government funding for "dead-end" university courses (meaning creative arts) if they win the next general election. (Source: Arts Professional)

Although this episode was written and recorded before that interview aired, it is still an important listen. Drawing on data from the SML x ArtTactic Talent Report and my own career trajectory, I break down what jobs in the art world actually pay (spoiler: often less than the London Living Wage), why museum roles are structurally inaccessible to working-class applicants, and what the access problem really looks like in practice.

I also share practical advice including:
the questions I now ask myself before taking on unpaid work

how I managed my budget in my early London career

and why transparency around money is one of the most radical things we can do for this industry.

Whether you’re just starting out, feeling stuck in a low salary, or wondering how anyone affords working in culture, this episode is for you.

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If you love what we do, support ALL ABOUT ART on PATREON!  ⁠https://www.patreon.com/allaboutart⁠

Keep up to date on Instagram @allaboutartpodcast  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/allaboutartpodcast/⁠ 

ABOUT THE HOST:
I am an Austrian-American art historian, curator, and writer. I obtained my BA in History of Art at University College London and my MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London. My specializations are in contemporary art and the contemporary art market along with accessibility, engagement, and the demystification of the professional art sector.

SOCIALS: 
Instagram⁠ @alexandrasteinacker https://www.instagram.com/alexandrasteinacker
and LinkedIn at ⁠Alexandra Steinacker-Clark⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-steinacker/

This episode is produced at Synergy https://synergy.tech/the-clubhouse/the-podcast-studio/ 

COVER ART: Lisa Schrofner a.k.a Liser⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.liser-art.com/ and Luca Laurence https://www.graffitikunst.at/

Research and Creative Assistant: Iris Epstein

The Truth About Art World Careers: Inside Talent, Hiring, & Strategic Navigation with former co-managing partner of Sophie Macpherson Ltd.

In this episode, I sat down with Rosie Allan, former co-Managing Partner of Sophie Macpherson, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the art market.

I speak to Rosie about her journey into art world talent and recruitment, and what drew her to this particular corner of the industry. We talk about the groundbreaking Art Market Talent Reports that Sophie Macpherson has released over the past few years - research that has sparked essential conversations about working conditions, career pathways, and structural challenges across the sector.

I ask her about the UK Employment Rights Bill and what it actually means for people working in galleries, auction houses, and museums today. We discuss what a strategic job search looks like in the current landscape, how the process differs between the US and UK art markets, and what mid-level professionals can do to convince employers they're ready for senior roles.

We also talk about career progression in an industry where traditional advice doesn't always apply, Rosie's decision to step down as co-managing partner after years with the company, and so much more.

Thank you Rosie for coming on the podcast!

You can follow Sophie Macpherson Ltd on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/smlsearch/

You can follow Rosie here:
https://www.instagram.com/rosieallan_art/

You can check out SML’s website here: https://www.sophiemacpherson.com/

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If you love what we do, support ALL ABOUT ART on PATREON!  ⁠https://www.patreon.com/allaboutart⁠

Keep up to date on Instagram @allaboutartpodcast  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/allaboutartpodcast/⁠ 

ABOUT THE HOST:
I am an Austrian-American art historian, curator, and writer. I obtained my BA in History of Art at University College London and my MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London. My specializations are in contemporary art and the contemporary art market along with accessibility, engagement, and the demystification of the professional art sector.

SOCIALS: 
Instagram⁠ @alexandrasteinacker https://www.instagram.com/alexandrasteinacker
and LinkedIn at ⁠Alexandra Steinacker-Clark⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-steinacker/

This episode is produced at Synergy https://synergy.tech/the-clubhouse/the-podcast-studio/ 

COVER ART: Lisa Schrofner a.k.a Liser⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.liser-art.com/ and Luca Laurence https://www.graffitikunst.at/

Research and Creative Assistant: Iris Epstein

From Tip Jars to Patreon: Rebuilding Arts Funding from the Ground Up?

This week’s episode of All About Art tackles “patronage”, but on the micro scale. You’ve surely seen it before: “Buy me a Ko-Fi!” “Support me on Patreon!” and more - the latter of which you hear every time to tune into an episode of All About Art, because these sites allow your community to show support for the work they love and engage with.

So, using FOLLOW.ART’s Support My Practice feature as one of my case studies, I dive deeper into the initiatives helping reshape how creative work gets funded. I explore why these models emerged, what they're replacing, and what it actually feels like to ask for support as a creator, especially when you are juggling so many other platforms (spoiler: it's complicated!).

I also share some personal reflections on running this podcast for the last five years, the mental & emotional tax of self-promotion, and why £3 a month from one listener can make all the difference.

So, whether you're a creator navigating these platforms (FOLLOW.ART is for curators and artists specifically), or you’re someone who's wondered if those small contributions actually matter, or maybe you’re just curious about the future of creative sustainability, this episode offers a little bit of an overview of where we are and where we might be heading with micro-patronage.

You can follow FOLLOW.ART on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/followart.world/

You can check out FOLLOW.ART’s website here: https://follow.art/

ℹ️ #paidpartnership with FOLLOW.ART

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If you love what we do, support ALL ABOUT ART on PATREON!  ⁠https://www.patreon.com/allaboutart⁠

Keep up to date on Instagram @allaboutartpodcast  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/allaboutartpodcast/⁠ 

ABOUT THE HOST:
I am an Austrian-American art historian, curator, and writer. I obtained my BA in History of Art at University College London and my MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London. My specializations are in contemporary art and the contemporary art market along with accessibility, engagement, and the demystification of the professional art sector.
SOCIALS: 
Instagram⁠ @alexandrasteinacker https://www.instagram.com/alexandrasteinacker
and LinkedIn at ⁠Alexandra Steinacker-Clark⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-steinacker/

This episode is produced at Synergy https://synergy.tech/the-clubhouse/the-podcast-studio/ 

COVER ART: Lisa Schrofner a.k.a Liser⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.liser-art.com/ and Luca Laurence https://www.graffitikunst.at/

Research and Creative Assistant: Iris Epstein

How Curators & Artists Are Supported In The Digital Age, with Evelina Gorbačova, Head of Digital Development at FOLLOW.ART

FOLLOW.ART is a platform working to reshape how artists and curators connect in the digital age - You should listen in if you are interested in working at the intersection of art and technology, working at a startup compared to more traditional roles in either tech or the art world, or you are an artist and/or curator wanting to find digital career support online. 

We talk about the exclusions that curators and artists face in existing digital ecosystems - how they're often left out or underserved by platforms that weren't built with their needs in mind - and how FOLLOW.ART is trying to address those gaps. I ask her about the Nexus Card, a digital identity format that the team describes as "the heart of FOLLOW.ART," and why they chose to build this rather than just another social media profile or portfolio site. We discuss the technical challenges of combining physical art world interactions with digital infrastructure, how the team thinks about balancing accessibility with building a sustainable business, and so much more.

Thank you Evelīna for coming on the podcast and FOLLOW.ART for the partnership!

You can follow FOLLOW.ART on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/followart.world/

You can check out FOLLOW.ART’s website here: https://follow.art/

ℹ️ #paidpartnership with Follow.Art

- - - - - 

If you love what we do, support ALL ABOUT ART on PATREON!  ⁠https://www.patreon.com/allaboutart⁠

Keep up to date on Instagram @allaboutartpodcast  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/allaboutartpodcast/⁠ 

ABOUT THE HOST:
I am an Austrian-American art historian, curator, and writer. I obtained my BA in History of Art at University College London and my MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London. My specializations are in contemporary art and the contemporary art market along with accessibility, engagement, and the demystification of the professional art sector.

SOCIALS: 
Instagram⁠ @alexandrasteinacker https://www.instagram.com/alexandrasteinacker

and LinkedIn at ⁠Alexandra Steinacker-Clark⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-steinacker/

This episode is produced at Synergy https://synergy.tech/the-clubhouse/the-podcast-studio/ 

COVER ART: Lisa Schrofner a.k.a Liser⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.liser-art.com/ and Luca Laurence https://www.graffitikunst.at/

Research and Creative Assistant: Iris Epstein

The Great Art Fraud: Performance, Pretty Privilege & an $86 Million Scandal

This week’s episode of All About Art dives into one of the biggest recent scandals in contemporary art. It’s based on my recent experience watching the BBC’s The Great Art Fraud, which chronicles Inigo Philbrick’s spectacular $86 million fraud that shook the art world to its core.

I discuss a range of factors that led to this happening, from the halo effect and “pretty privilege” to the culture of opacity that still defines high-value art deals. I explore how Philbrick sold a lifestyle as much as he sold art - and how the BBC’s documentary, perhaps unintentionally, keeps that performance of glamor alive.

We discuss the gaps in regulation, the role of symbolic capital in luxury markets, and why the documentary’s hero’s journey framing (I explain why I think its framed like this) feels kind of uncomfortably forgiving. Will the art world forget this scandal and engage in art deals with Philbrick in the future? It sure did feel like it towards the end…

If you’ve watched the series or are fascinated by the intersection of psychology, performance, and market failure, I would love for you to have a listen & leave a comment to share your thoughts!

Image & Media Credits
Jay Jopling photograph: Oli Scarff / Getty Images, via Artnet News

Kenny Schachter image: Courtesy of Sotheby’s

Inigo Philbrick image: Getty Images, via The New York Times

The Great Art Fraud promotional artwork: BBC

Additional images (if applicable): Courtesy KennySchachter.art

Image & Source Credits
This episode includes images sourced from Getty Images, Sotheby’s, The New York Times, the BBC, and KennySchachter.art. Images are presented solely for purposes of criticism, commentary, news reporting, and education. All copyrighted material remains the property of its respective rights holders. No copyright infringement is intended. Images are displayed at reduced resolution and only for the duration necessary to support commentary.

📌 REFERENCE LINKS
Artnet News piece on White Cube & Jay Jopling — Artnet News article. Artnet News: White Cube Paris gallery news and Jay Jopling image source

Sotheby’s Sotheby's Brightspot profile on Kenny Schachter — Sotheby’s webpage. Sotheby’s: The Hoarder III: A Moment With Kenny Schachter

The Art Newspaper coverage of Inigo Philbrick’s fraud case (image & article) — Art Newspaper story including imagery. The Art Newspaper: Philbrick fraud case image & story

Guardian article on Inigo Philbrick (Christie’s invoice referenced) — The Guardian coverage of Philbrick’s art world swindle. The Guardian: Inigo Philbrick art world swindle and Christie’s reference

IMDb listing for The Great Art Fraud — BBC documentary info and promotional assets. https://www.imdb.com/de/title/tt38048757/ 

YOU CAN SUPPORT ALL ABOUT ART ON PATREON HERE: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/allaboutart⁠

FOLLOW ALL ABOUT ART ON INSTAGRAM HERE: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/allaboutartpodcast/⁠ 

ABOUT THE HOST:
I am an Austrian-American art historian, curator, and writer. I obtained my BA in History of Art at University College London and my MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London. My specializations are in contemporary art and the contemporary art market along with accessibility, engagement, and the demystification of the professional art sector.
Here are links to my social media, feel free to reach out:
Instagram⁠ @alexandrasteinacker   ⁠

and LinkedIn at ⁠Alexandra Steinacker-Clark⁠

This episode is produced at Synergy https://synergy.tech/the-clubhouse/the-podcast-studio/ 
COVER ART: Lisa Schrofner a.k.a Liser⁠ ⁠⁠www.liser-art.com⁠ and Luca Laurence www.lucalaurence.com 
Research and Creative Assistant: Iris Epstein