How to Start a Art Revolution: Step 1

Assemble the perfect jury for your unconventional idea

People are often surprised to find out that stARTup enlists the expertise of six esteemed art professionals to evaluate artist applications for each fair event. When you think about it though, it perfectly fits the vision of stARTup's founders. They wanted to create a fair that offered more egalitarian access to the opportunities that can help artists advance their careers, by creating a platform that invites the art loving public and engages industry professionals.

Installation by Hunter Franks, stARTup SF 2018

Co-Founder and Director, Ray Beldner, recounts how the selection committee started for the inaugural stARTup San Francisco fair in 2015. "I knew that if important, well respected people like Janet Bishop, Curator of Painting and Sculpture at SFMOMA, would sign on, that we'd have credibility as an organization and a chance at success."

As it turned out, Janet accepted and joined our first jury along with Cathy Kimball, Executive Director, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, Walter Maciel, Walter Maciel Gallery, Culver City, Heather Marx, Heather Marx Art Advisory, Paul Mullins, Painter and former Professor of Art, SF State University, and Hank Willis Thomas, New York-based photo conceptual artist.

And why gather six new jurors for every fair? To maintain the highest level of exhibitors, ensure that each fair is fresh and unique, and connect artists with industry leaders from the moment they decide to apply for the fair.

Aiming to gather two well-known artists, gallerists, and curators for each fair jury, stARTup has enjoyed the input and contributions of a remarkable roster of industry leaders and continues to seek out the best the art world has to offer to ensure that our exhibitors are of exceptional quality and every fair is immersive and exciting.

Here are just a few more members of past selection committees:

From top left: Diana Al Hadid Mixed media and installation artist, New York, Michelle Grabner conceptual artist and curator, 2016 Portland Biennial, Milwaukee, Hank Willis Thomas New York-based photo conceptual artist, Michelle Papillion Founder, PAPILLION, Los Angeles, CA, Toma Wolff Director, Byron C. Cohen Gallery, Kansas City, MO, Charlie James, Owner/Director, Charlie James Gallery, Los Angeles, Brenda Williams Independent Curator, Educator, and Cultural Affairs Commissioner, Culver City, CA, Dan Cameron former Chief Curator, Orange County Museum of Art, and Janet Bishop Curator of Painting and Sculpture, SFMOMA

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