Artnet News spoke to seven leading curators about how they identify emerging artists who will become the next big names. The curators, including Amy Smith-Stewart of The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum and iLiana Fokianaki of Kunsthalle Bern, describe their methods: seeking artists who address erased histories, geopolitical contexts, and marginalized perspectives. The article also references a recent debate sparked by Dean Kissick's polemic 'The Painted Protest' in Harper's, which criticized contemporary art for being overly dictated by identity politics, a view countered by curators who affirm their commitment to socially engaged work.
This matters because it offers rare insight into the curatorial process behind discovering new talent, a key driver of the art market and institutional programming. The article also situates this practice within a broader cultural conversation about the purpose of contemporary art in 2025, as the art world grapples with questions of identity, politics, and aesthetic value. The curators' emphasis on historical gaps and global perspectives suggests that institutional priorities are shifting toward more inclusive, context-aware practices, which could shape which artists gain visibility and market success in the coming years.