1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, VIP Relations & Programming
Now in it’s 11th consecutive year, 1-54 is the first and only international fair dedicated to contemporary African art, with regular showings in New York, Marrakesh and the flagship event in London, Somerset House. In the fair’s biggest iteration to date, exhibiting works from 62 galleries by 170+ artists, I assisted 1-54s VIP department ahead of and during the London 2023 edition. My Role Ahead if the fair and during its course, the priority was to maintain new and existing relationships with the collectors, academics, art professionals, cultural institutions and organisations who comprise the VIP list. Adopting the team’s existing softwares, I managed the VIP email account; maintained and updated the internal database and assisted in research tasks. Aiding the department in the coordination of guided tours - for which I oversaw - we would successfully host international, VIP guests across the week of the fair including a number of external events. Such events include collector’s dinners, artist studio tours, a VIP cocktail evening, and exclusive VIP access to the fair, amongst others. The production and implementation of the VIP programme, this edition with 18 exclusive events, required extensive communication and co-ordination in anticipation of the activity. This included communication with partnering galleries and institutions, copywriting and asset production, and the creation of information databases and templates that would be used to onboard temporary staff. The above communications all maintaining the desired voice to appeal to a VIP cohort. During the fair dates, responsibilities would also include a seamless operation of the VIP desk, welcoming the friend’s and patrons of the fair and ensuring a tasteful experience for them throughout. The Result The successful programming and relations efforts resulted directly in key gallery sales, satisfied the requests of current partners and encouraged the establishment of new, corporate partnerships. For more information, please visit: https://www.1-54.com/london/