Build Your Own Art World
Conference 2023, Hosted at Phillips
The inaugural AWITA Conference took place at Phillips and was chaired by Melanie Gerlis, Art Market Columnist and Contributor at the Financial Times.
More than a traditional conference, the day functioned as a practical toolkit for professional women - bringing together case studies, conversations, and hands-on workshops led by leading voices in the industry. It created space not only for actionable insights, but also for reflection, self-awareness, and meaningful connection among peers.
Alayo Akinkugbe, Founder of @ablackhistoryofart
Susie Ashfield, UK’s leading speech coach
Jo Craven, Group Client Services Director, SUTTON
Nancy Durrant, Arts Editor, Evening Standard
Martine D’Anglejan-Chatillon, Founder and CEO, MDAC Productions
Touria El Glaoui, Founding Director, 1-54 Contemporary Art Fair
Melanie Gerlis, Columnist and Contributor, Financial Times
Gaylene Gould, Multidisciplinary artist
Hilde Lynn Helphenstein, CEO of Jerry Gogosian
Sarah Munro, Director, The BALTIC
Speakers
Press Coverage
Sigrid Kirk Lights the Path for Women to Build Their Own Art World – Art Plugged
Sigrid Kirk, Founder of AWITA, on Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in the Arts – FAD Magazine
What I Buy and Why: Sigrid Kirk on Art, Collecting and Confidence – Artnet News
Interview: Sigrid Kirk on Building New Models for the Art World – Country & Town House
Sponsors
Host Locations
Bona Montagu, Founder of Montagu Arts Ltd
Farah Nayeri, Author and culture writer
Everlyn Nicodemus, Artist, curator and writer
Cornelia Parker, Artist
Charlene Prempeh, Founder of A Vibe Called Tech
Diana Rice, Life and Leadership Coach
Jo Stella Sawicka, Senior Director, Goodman Gallery
Andrea Schlieker, Director of Exhibitions and Displays, Tate Britain
Amy Sherlock, Features Editor at The World of Interiors
Victoria Siddall, Board Director, Frieze
Emily Tsingou, Collection Curator and Advisor
Cheyenne Westphal, Global Chairwoman, Phillips
Venue Partner
