Diana Ewer

Diana is a History of Art Graduate who is now Head of Careers at Sotheby’s Institute of Art (London).

What does your current job involve?

My role is all about helping the next generation of art and luxury professionals find their path and build the skills, confidence and connections to succeed. As Head of Careers at Sotheby's Institute of Art, I lead careers strategy, employer partnerships and work placement opportunities, bringing industry and students together to create meaningful career pathways. The most rewarding part of my job is building relationships, opening doors and seeing students secure roles and go on to thrive in the industry.

Why did you choose to study at Manchester?

I'd never studied Art History, but I loved looking at pictures, history and storytelling. I think it was actually my A-level English teacher who suggested it in passing one day. It was the mid-90s, and I loved Manchester from the moment I visited on the open day.

I had the privilege of being taught by some extraordinarily brilliant lecturers and tutors, including Mark Crinson, Marcia Pointon, David Lomas and the late Andrew Causey.

I somehow managed to direct a play in a pub during my first year and, even hilariously, convinced my fellow students to take part, possibly due to proximity of the bar. Looking back now, it's hard not to feel nostalgic for a time that felt full of possibility.

How did your degree prepare you for your current role?

My degree taught me visual literacy, essentially how to analyse, decode and understand the power of images, and how to think critically. These are skills I use every day in my job. It trained me to look more closely, question assumptions and recognise that there is often more than one way of seeing something. It also gave me a deep appreciation for art, artists and culture, and the confidence to speak about art with credibility, something that has been invaluable throughout my career in the commercial art world.

But just as importantly, it taught me the value of relationships. Many of the opportunities I've had throughout my career have come through networks, shared interests and fortuitous conversations. That's something I now try to pass on to my students and young professionals: knowledge is power, but curiosity, generosity and a genuine interest in other people will take you a very long way.

What has your career path looked like since graduating?

My career path has been anything but linear, with plenty of interesting twists and turns along the way, which is fairly typical of a career in the creative industries.

Looking back, I wish I'd started building my own business sooner. Co-founding TAG Fine Arts and growing it from the ground up remains one of my proudest achievements. I'm still connected to the business today and enjoy being part of its continued success as a global gallery representing emerging and mid-career artists.

Art consultancy work gave me the flexibility to balance my career with raising a family, while also allowing me to work across different parts of the art world, including a formative period in New York. 

But perhaps what I'm most proud of is my current role as Head of Careers at Sotheby's Institute of Art. Supporting, mentoring and opening doors for the next generation of art and luxury professionals is incredibly rewarding.

There's nothing quite like seeing someone discover their potential, secure an opportunity and go on to build a successful career of their own. For me, that's what it's all about.

Did anything from your degree stand out as particularly influential for you?

Undoubtedly, the teaching. I'll also always treasure seeing Dürer's original etchings at the Whitworth for the first time. It was a formative experience, and I've loved prints ever since. Today, I still work with print artists and deal in prints, so that early encounter has stayed with me throughout my career.

What do you hope to accomplish in the future? 

Looking ahead, I hope to play my part in ensuring Art History remains valued within education and accessible to future generations. I'd also like to do more to champion the creative industries, which I firmly believe are one of the UK's greatest strengths and sources of soft power.

Above all, I want to continue mentoring and opening doors for emerging art and luxury professionals, helping them build fulfilling careers in a sector that has given me so much.

Do you have any advice for current students?

My advice would be to start building your career alongside your degree rather than waiting until graduation day. Develop your LinkedIn profile, seek out internships and work experience, but if those opportunities feel out of reach, consider curating an exhibition, contributing to an arts publication or creating your own projects.

A portfolio CV that demonstrates initiative and genuine interests often makes for a far more interesting read than a list of back-to-back internships. Most importantly, go where the energy is: attend exhibitions, talks and events, get to know artists and creatives working in the sector, and build genuine relationships from the start.

We hear so much about barriers to entry, but the arts are built on people, and the peers you meet at university may well become your future collaborators, business partners, clients and lifelong friends!