About

ArtULTRA is dedicated to championing emerging artists and pioneering projects, aiming for a more inclusive and vibrant art world. Founded in 2021 by Alice Black, former director of London’s Design Museum, ArtULTRA goes beyond curation —we’re connectors, collaborators, and advocates for bold art that pushes boundaries.

With a carefully selected roster of artists, we commission new works, facilitate art sales, and equip artists with the resources for resilient, sustainable careers. Our digital platforms offer monthly features that spotlight rising talent and share opportunities with the next generation of creators.

At ArtULTRA, we’re the pulse of what’s next, fostering creativity that shapes a dynamic, forward-thinking art world.

The genesis of ArtULTRA

ArtULTRA was born out of a desire to address the urgent needs of early-career artists during the pandemic. Through extensive research conducted in collaboration with Amanda Fernandez and her artist collective FerArts, we identified key areas of support: first and foremost, creating sustainable income from their practice, followed by access to affordable working space, business guidance, and opportunities for visibility.

In time, we want to become an accelerator artists' careers, providing exhibition, mentoring, networking, business insights and professional development opportunities. We also want to bring more diverse artists into the corporate and institutional landscape.

Meet the Team

Founder

Alice Black

Prior to founding ArtULTRA in January 2021, Alice led the Design Museum in London for 12 years. Alice is member of the Mayor of London’s Cultural Leadership Board, the British Library Advisory Committee and of the New Museum of London Project Board.

Alice graduated from ESSEC Business School and started her career in New York in the financial sector, before moving to London in 1998 and dedicating herself to a career in the cultural sector.

Writer & Researcher

Lili Somlo

Lili is a writer, researcher, and aspiring curator based in London. She has a BA in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins, and her dissertation focused on Eastern European feminist art and the archival practices of the region.

As a writer, Lili is particularly interested in underrepresented narratives, cultural criticism and the intersection of writing and visual art.

Design & Media Editor

Julia Ligęza

Julia is a visual artist and graphic designer. She graduated with a BA in Fine Art from Kingston School of Art in 2022 and has since facilitated multiple creative programmes spanning London and Lisbon.

Her artistic practice navigates the intimacy between image and space, using collaging techniques within video, photography, digital design, sculpture and installation.

Project Manager

Alessadra Zevi

Alessandra graduated from La Sapienza university in Rome, where she studied architecture and interior design as well as painting and sculpture. Alessandra currently works as an interior architect in an international design practice, while pursuing her research as a painter. In her artistic practice, she uses nature and animals as reference points to create organic abstract compositions.