Barclays Black Founder Accelerator 2022 member
CasildART Contemporary
CasildART Contemporary is an arts agency that represents artists who are of African and/or Caribbean heritage.
We host, produce and curate art exhibitions, events and talks to showcase their work and amplify their stories across online and offline platforms to wide and diverse audiences. We also seek to expand opportunities for Black artists to monetise their work through brand licensing partnerships, workshops and our art rental service.
Why did you join the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator?
I need expert help, guidance and business support to accelerate my business. I believe that the BFA will give me access to mentors, coaches, and potential investors who can help me to build a successful platform for showcasing Black art
Why did you want to start your business?
To provide opportunities for Black artists to showcase their work, celebrate their creativity and the joy and beauty I see everyday 'in the souls of my people' (Langston Hughes).
What would be your desired outcome from this programme?
To have the confidence and means to launch an online marketplace for contemporary Black art.
Which entrepreneur inspires you the most and why?
My great grandmother, Casilda for whom I named my company. An illiterate self-made woman who made her fortune by selling fish in street market in Jamaica. She used her fortune to educate her siblings, my grandmother and my mother. She remains my inspiration as someone who was kind, supportive and believed in the individual's capacity to do good.
What has been your biggest win in your entrepreneurial journey?
Being fearless.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Access to collectors who really believe in the power of contemporary Black art to transform peoples lives.
Where did you go for business advice and how did it help you?
I have been on various business courses and they've all helped in various ways to expand my business knowledge. However, the best takeaway has been the relationships I've formed with some of the attendees.
What drives you to make your business a success?
My ambition and purpose to make a difference to the way we see Black experiences and stories through the visual arts.
What advice would you give other founders thinking about starting their own business?
If you have the passion, drive and, above all, purpose, go for it.