Each year, the Sotheby’s Institute of Art Careers Fair brings students, graduates, and industry professionals together in one place, creating a valuable space for connection and career exploration across the art and luxury sectors.
Beyond its networking opportunities, what continues to make the fair particularly impactful is its commitment to conversation, especially through its dedicated talks programme. Designed to complement the energy of the exhibition floor, the talks offer deeper insight into the realities of working in the industry today, tackling both its opportunities and its challenges head-on.
The 2026 programme, curated under the theme "Careers in Transition: Navigating Art & Luxury,” reflects a sector that is constantly evolving. Moderated by Alexandra Steinacker-Clark, founder of the All About Art podcast, the series brings together leading voices from across the field to share perspectives grounded in real experience.
Across three panel discussions, the programme explores some of the most pressing questions for emerging professionals. Freelancing: The Perks and Pitfalls of a Portfolio Career looked at the growing prevalence of independent and hybrid career paths, with Ann-Marie Ekuban (Founder of A. Ekuban and co-Founder of Creative Freedoms) and Awa Konaté (Curator and Founder of Culture Art Society (CAS)) sharing insights into building sustainable, self-directed practices. Their discussion highlights both the flexibility and the complexity of portfolio careers, an increasingly relevant model within today’s art world.
In Next Gen Collectors and Art Professionals Shaping the Future, Georgina Adam (Author and Editor at large at The Art Newspaper) and Dr. Oliver Peterson Gilbert (Senior Lecturer in Art Market Studies and Head of Learning Innovations at Sotheby’s Institute of Art) turned their attention to the changing dynamics of the global art market. As new collectors, technologies, and cultural shifts influence how art is valued and engaged with, the conversation offers essential context for students looking to understand where the sector is heading, and where they might fit within it.
Finally, Breaking In: The Early Talent Hiring Space addresses one of the most immediate concerns for students and graduates: how to secure that first role. Bringing together HR professionals and recruiters including Rosie Howard-Jones (HR Advisor at Sotheby’s), Emma Dugard (Associate HR Business Partner at Sotheby's), and Lacey West (Founder and Director of Lacey West Art International), this session provided a rare look behind the hiring process, offering clarity on what organisations are really looking for in early-career candidates.
Together, these discussions move beyond theory, offering practical insight into the art and luxury industries. Alongside the conversations happening on stage, the Careers Fair remains a key moment for building connections in person, offering students the chance to meet organisations across the art and luxury landscape and begin shaping their professional networks. Together, the networking and talks programme create a holistic experience: one that combines insight with opportunity.
As the art and luxury industries continue to evolve, spaces that encourage open discussion and shared learning are more important than ever.
To explore the talks programme and watch the sessions online, visit Careers Fair 2026: Preparing Students for The Job Market.
Images: Jen Moyer Photography