In conversation with Andrea Hinteregger De Mayo: Connecting Art Experts and Art Lovers

In an art world that can often feel exclusive and impenetrable, the need for bridges—between professional expertise and public curiosity, between deep knowledge and newfound passion—has never been greater. This is the very mission of Curatorist, a platform founded to make professional art curation accessible to all. Today, we sat with its co-founder, Andrea Hinteregger De Mayo, who brings a wealth of experience from her 24 years in the industry to discuss how Curatorist is changing the way we connect with art.

Andrea, before we dive into Curatorist — could you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to bridge roles across galleries, advisory, and digital culture?

Andrea: I have a diverse background, actually I started in finance, then moved into art history, followed by cultural management, and later digital culture. That combination shaped how I see the art world today.

I see myself as a translator and bridge-maker, and I’ve always moved between different sides of the art ecosystem, like, galleries, curation, writing, artists, collectors, and institutions. That movement sparked my curiosity about how knowledge circulates in our field. Knowledge and curiosity are key words for me, not only in my professional life but also personally.

Founding Artrepco (Creative Culture Agency ) or Christinger de Mayo ( Gallery or more a culture Hub between Latin America and Switzerland ) exposed me to very different cultural and economic contexts, and each experience taught me how art operates across systems of value, emotion, and power. Later, during my studies in Digital Cultures at the University of Basel, I began looking more closely at how expertise and value are created and often trapped, within closed networks. That reflection became the seed for what would eventually evolve into Curatorist.

How did the idea for Curatorist first emerge? Was there a particular moment or gap in the art world that inspired you to create it?
 

Andrea: Curatorist grew out of that reflection. There were a couple of “aha” moments along the way,  one during a mandate I had for a startup that explored how studio visits could be monetized. The idea never took off, and I put it aside, but it resurfaced later during my studies at the University of Basel, where I wrote about how to monetize knowledge in the cultural sector within a digital landscape.

Over time, I kept meeting brilliant curators and art professionals who had so much to share but no real structure to make that accessible or sustainable. At the same time, people kept asking me, “Do you know anyone in Mexico City? In Lima? In New York?” and I realized there was a growing audience eager to engage with art more deeply, not just consume it. That’s exactly where Curatorist comes in. With initiatives like Design Your Journey, it became a bridge between those looking to share their expertise and those seeking meaningful cultural access.

The platform connects curators, artists, and collectors. How do you balance professional curation with community-driven dialogue?

Andrea: Our company vision is Learn, Earn & Return, so balancing professional curation with community dialogue is central to what we do. For me, expertise isn’t about hierarchy, it’s about responsibility. The goal is to preserve quality and depth while opening up the conversation, so that an art enthusiast, a culturally curious visitor, a collector, an artist, or even someone completely outside the system can all find meaningful access.

You recently launched the Friends and Ambassadors programs. What motivated you to create these initiatives? What kind of people or organizations do you hope will join?
 

Andrea: As I mentioned before, our vision and mission at Curatorist is Learn, Earn & Return. In the art market and in cultural philanthropy, there’s a real shift happening, it’s no longer just about consuming culture, but about living it and contributing to it. The Friends and Ambassadors programs were born from that idea: that we grow as a community when we share and give back.

I hope to see a broad, diverse group join us,  from young collectors who are just starting to explore, to individuals and organizations deeply engaged in philanthropy. For me, there should be no borders,  just a shared curiosity and commitment to culture
 

Do you see these programs as a way to redefine how cultural communities sustain themselves beyond institutional boundaries?

Andrea: Yes, in a way, these programs question how cultural ecosystems sustain themselves. Institutions are important, but they can be slow and limited by structure. Curatorist is more fluid, it tests how private engagement and collective care,  can coexist.

Finally, what does success look like for you personally with this project?

Andrea: Success, for me, would mean seeing a living network of experts, mentors, and supporters who collaborate. When Curatorist becomes a self-sustaining ecosystem that empowers others to learn, earn, and return,  that’s when I’ll feel it has worked.