Alserkal Arts Foundation, Common Room, Warehouse 51
Book Launch
Join us for the launch of The Art Institution of Tomorrow, the latest book by Fatoş Üstek, which examines innovative models to future-proof art institutions through inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience. A renowned curator and writer, Üstek offers insights into her new book, presenting an actionable vision to reshape institutional practices for the next generation of artists and audiences.
Fatoş Üstek argues that there is a “world of crises” at different scales and intensities and that the current systems of art institutions struggle to meet these demands. With this new book, she proposes a new model built on an extensive study of nonprofit visual arts organizations and the creative industries at large. Incorporating interviews with more than 50 international institutional leaders from throughout the sector, the book outlines the transformative changes that art institutions must undergo to maintain their relevance for generations to come.
The Art Institution of Tomorrow is published as part of the Hot Topics in the Art World series by Lund Humphries, in collaboration with the Sotheby’s Institute.
---
Fatos Üstek is an influential voice in contemporary art, recognised for her curatorial expertise and leadership in both UK and international art contexts. She is the author of The Art Institution of Tomorrow, Reinventing the Model, published by Lund Humphries. With a background in directing major art institutions like the Liverpool Biennial and The Roberts Institute of Art, Üstek has curated impactful exhibitions and biennials, such as Frieze Sculpture, London and Cascading Principles Expansions within Geometry, Philosophy and Interference, Oxford. Her projects span mid-to-large scale nonprofit exhibitions, public art commissions with artists like Nathan Coley and Do Ho Suh, and initiatives like FRANK Fair Artist Pay, which she co-founded to advocate for bettering fair practice in the arts in the UK.
Üstek’s contributions extend to publishing curatorial thought, writing for art publications, and hosting international seminars and workshops. Her advisory roles include serving as Chair of New Contemporaries and advisory board member for the Extra Extra Magazine and Urbane Kuenste Ruhr. Her accolades include Apollo's 40 Under 40 and nominations for Artlyst Power 100 and the ICI Gerrit Lansing Award, highlighting her impact across the arts sector. Üstek earned her MA in Contemporary Art Theory from Goldsmiths College, London, and holds a BA in Mathematics and Film Studies from Bogazici University, Istanbul.