Emily McElwreath is an independent curator, art advisor, educator, and cultural strategist with over 18 years of experience in the contemporary art world. She is the founder of McElwreath Art Advisory and the creator and host of The Art Career Podcast, a leading platform for transparent dialogue across the creative industry.

Emily has developed public programs, organized panels, and lectured at institutions including the Whitney Museum of American Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Sotheby’s Institute of Art. As former Director of Communications and Education at The Brant Foundation, she led national educational initiatives and contributed to major exhibitions featuring artists such as Andy Warhol, Julian Schnabel, and Nate Lowman.

An independent curator and dealer, Emily fosters meaningful connections between artists, collectors, and institutions. She has curated exhibitions for galleries, nonprofit spaces, and art fairs, and is currently preparing Luminous Forms, opening at Ucross Foundation on Founders Day 2025.

She is also a frequent speaker and guest critic at institutions such as NYU (alongside Jerry Saltz), the Neuberger Museum (with Marilyn Minter and Jasmine Wahi), Pratt Institute, the School of Visual Arts, the Wassaic Project, and NARS Foundation.

Her expertise spans museum-quality collections, cultural programming, and strategic artist engagement, making her a trusted voice in the evolving landscape of contemporary art.

Collection Advising

McElwreath Art Advisory is a full-service firm that provides guidance and assistance to art collectors through a comprehensive list of services. Whether the goal is to acquire a single work, build a collection or add to an existing one we do so through an educated exploration of the art market.  We are uniquely positioned to invigorate the advisory market with a new approach to arts patronage and love to work with individuals and corporations who appreciate being a part of the cultural conversation. Our mission is to promote the work of living artists through interdisciplinary collaboration, institutional partnerships, and most importantly, acquisitions.

Creative Direction and Fine Art Management

With a background in fine art, curation, and strategic partnerships, I operate at the intersection of culture, creativity, and commerce — developing opportunities that meaningfully grow and sustain an artist’s career.

I serve as Creative Director and Fine Art Manager for artists and multidisciplinary creatives, shaping their fine art identity and guiding opportunities across exhibitions, public projects, brand partnerships, and creative collaborations. My work spans creative direction, curatorial strategy, project development, and relationship management — ensuring that every opportunity aligns with and elevates an artist’s vision while growing their presence at the intersection of art, culture, and commerce.