_edited.png)
Kate Enters: Building a Fairer Art World, One Opportunity at a Time
- Women Story
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
A Founder with a Different Question
While much of the art world focuses on who gets seen first, Kate Enters has spent over a decade asking a quieter but more important question: How do artists sustain their practice long enough to find their voice? That question became the foundation of ArtCan—an artist-led, not-for-profit organisation redefining what support in the creative sector can look like.
Building ArtCan: Opportunity Without Compromise
Founded in 2013 and incorporated in 2016, ArtCan was created to support emerging and mid-career artists without extracting value from their work. Unlike traditional gallery models, ArtCan operates on a no-commission structure, ensuring that 100% of artwork sales go directly to the artist.
Based in London and active internationally, ArtCan complements established galleries rather than competing with them—offering artists early exposure, professional recognition, and the confidence to step into larger platforms when ready.
A Global Community, Not Just an Organisation
What began as a small initiative has evolved into a global creative network spanning over 26 countries, bringing together hundreds of artists through:
Curated physical and virtual exhibitions
Practice development and peer-to-peer learning
Access to specialist knowledge, curators, and mentors
Professional recognition without gatekeeping
From exhibitions in Vienna to nature reserves in Wales, ArtCan has consistently challenged the idea that meaningful art must exist only in elite or exclusive spaces.
Fair Pay, Time to Grow, and Shared Power
At the heart of ArtCan’s philosophy is a belief many artists struggle to find reflected elsewhere:
Artists need time to establish a sustainable practice
Isolation limits creativity, while community strengthens it
Fair payment matters, especially in the early years
Collaboration creates power, not competition
By removing financial pressure and fostering connection, ArtCan allows artists to focus on what matters most: developing meaningful, lasting work.
Innovation Through Adversity
During the pandemic, ArtCan adapted quickly—launching a bespoke virtual gallery that enabled artists to continue exhibiting globally despite physical restrictions. This digital pivot didn’t replace in-person shows; it expanded access, audience reach, and inclusion.
The organisation continues to blend physical hubs—such as its Angel, Islington space—with digital platforms, proving that accessibility and ambition can coexist.
Values-Led Leadership and Sustainability
ArtCan’s impact extends beyond exhibitions. As a member of Social Enterprise UK and the Gallery Climate Coalition, the organisation actively engages with issues of:
Environmental sustainability
Artist wellbeing
Ethical operations
Climate responsibility within the arts
Its philanthropic programmes and partnerships demonstrate how art can address social and environmental challenges while remaining deeply human.
Recognition Without Distraction
Kate Enters’ work has been recognised across the UK creative landscape. In 2023, she received a Women Entrepreneur Award for the Arts, followed by finalist positions for Great British Businesswomen of the Year and Great British Entrepreneur of the Year in the arts and creative categories.
Yet recognition has never been the objective. For Kate, success is measured in artists who stay in the conversation, build confidence, and sustain their practice over time.
A Founder Still Embedded in the Creative World
Alongside leading ArtCan, Kate continues her work within the creative and architectural sector, including at a leading London design practice. She is also an experienced curator, a figurative artist, and a writer on art—remaining closely connected to the realities artists face every day.
Redefining What Support Looks Like
In an industry often shaped by scarcity and speed, Kate Enters has chosen patience, fairness, and long-term thinking. Through ArtCan, she has built more than an organisation—she has created a living ecosystem where artists are valued, supported, and trusted.
ArtCan doesn’t just exhibit art. It enables artists to endure, evolve, and belong.
Organisation Name: ArtCan
Industry: Arts & Culture · Social Enterprise · Non-Profit
Team Model: Artist-led, volunteer-supported
Headquarters: London, UK
Website: https://www.artcan.org.uk/
Comments