Successful Global Talent case for an art gallery curator
01.04.2025
Co-author: Maksym Bondariev.
We are excited to share the success story of our client, who was endorsed for a Global Talent visa in the Exceptional Talent category through Arts Council England. What makes this case particularly unique is that our client applied as art gallery curator.
Many may assume that, to apply through Arts Council England you yourself must be a famous artist, musician or performer. However, the Arts Council England also considers individuals who indirectly contribute to the creation and delivery of art-related work by organising and facilitating the process. This opens the door for curators, like our client, to be recognised for their exceptional talent and influence in the cultural sector.
Who is our client?
Our client is a talented curator and art gallery owner who:
- Founded her own art gallery, and multi-functional arts platform, which has hosted over 100 artists and attracted more than 10,000 visitors in the last 5 years.
- Curated over 100 exhibitions, events, screenings, and talks featuring both emerging and established artists, significantly contributing to the contemporary art scene. Many of her curator exhibitions gained international recognition and helped connect emerging local, emerging artists with global audiences.
- Built a reputation for promoting innovative and diverse art, elevating underrepresented voices in the art world, and fostering cultural dialogue. Many of her exhibitions addressed key social, political, and cultural issues, driving
thought-provoking conversations and engagement with both local and international audiences.
How did we prepare the application?
As our client was applying through a more rare route, as a curator, we needed to prepare evidence for her application differently than our typical Arts Council England cases.
For example, a challenge was that she was not mentioned by name in a lot of the media covering her curated exhibitions, or only her gallery name was mentioned.
We therefore took a meticulous approach to preparing all the necessary evidence, ensuring that her contributions are highlighted. Our process included:
- Gathering evidence of media recognition
We collaborated with our client to compile independent reviews, critiques, and evaluations of exhibitions she curated from credible critics in well-established media outlets. Since she was sometimes not directly named in media coverage, we included explanations of her role as a founder of her gallery and curator of the named exhibitions. - Gathering evidence of exhibitions and professional engagements
We provided detailed documentation of exhibitions she curated in the past five years, including exhibition programs, press releases, and listings that showed her involvement. We gathered as much evidence as possible that directly named her, or explained her role in instances where her name was not mentioned, ensuring her contributions to the artistic projects were clearly highlighted. - Preparing reference letters
We helped prepare strong reference letters from respected individuals in the art world, including renowned curators and directors from well-established cultural organisations in the UK and her home country. The referees had already had a close working relationship with our client, including through her leadership in major art fairs and exhibitions. They highlighted her influence and achievements, demonstrating her leadership potential in the contemporary art scene, and detailed how her work would contribute to the UK’s cultural landscape. - Presenting the case
We organised and presented all evidence to meet the rigorous standards set by Arts Council England, carefully emphasising the uniqueness of her curatorial work and her potential to contribute to the UK’s art scene. We also closely guided the client through submitting both Stage 1 (endorsement) and Stage 2 (visa) of the application.
Why did our strategy succeed?
In 7 weeks since the submission of the Stage 1 application, we successfully received an endorsement of our client from Arts Council England, enabling her to apply for Stage 2 and then move to the UK to continue her curatorial career with UK cultural institutions. The key to success was emphasising the widespread recognition of our client’s work and her impact on the art world. We highlighted:
- Her extensive experience and proven success in curating exhibitions in her home country and around the world.
- The international recognition of her work, with her gallery mentioned by credible arts critics in major art publications around the world.
- The significant contributions she has made to fostering cultural dialogue and elevating underrepresented voices in the art world.
- Her potential to shape and enrich the UK’s art sector, and her plans for future exhibitions and collaboration in the UK.
Conclusions and recommendations
This case demonstrates that you do not need to be an artist or performer to be successful in applying for the Global Talent visa through Arts Council England. In fact, in addition to art gallery curators, the following roles are also eligible under the Arts Council England guidance:
- Programmers, promoters or curators of festivals, exhibitions and other eligible events
- Directors and producers
- Lighting designers, sound engineers, and other technical crew for live events
- Choreographers
- Songwriters and composers
- Conductors
As all other applicants, you will also need media recognition of your work, proof of contributing to events or exhibitions, and reference letters from established cultural organisations.
How can we help?
Sterling Law is a team of experts committed to guiding you through every stage of your Global Talent visa application. We know how to highlight your unique achievements, gather the right evidence, and present a case that stands out.
With years of experience handling Arts Council England applications, including in some of the more rare and niche disciplines, we understand the nuances and challenges that come with each unique path.
Ready to bring your artistic talent to the UK? Our team of legal experts can help you navigate the Global Talent visa process with ease.
Submit your inquiry now for a free 10 minute consultation.
