Meet Kipton Cronkite | Art Advisor and Curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kipton Cronkite and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kipton, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In May 2002, I went to see the exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to see Orazio and Artemisia Gentileschi: Father and Daughter Painters in Baroque Italy. As I walked through the exhibition and took in the work, I felt my emotions intensify which then opened up my heart to what was in front of me. It was in those moments seeing the works of Artemisia Gentileschi I began to feel her pain and struggle for acceptance. Growing up with two Grandmothers who were artists, I never understood why they expressed themselves through their art but for the first time, I began to feel the powerful energy of art. The next vision was how I could help elevate artist voices to a larger audience. Shortly thereafter, I created an online platform to support emerging artists in New York and began to curate events around art. In the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey, I did not write a business plan but simply followed my heart and let it lead the way.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am most proud that I recognize the energy and beauty of art and have so much respect for all artists early on. Through my respect for the artists, I have attracted clients with similar passions and have built my art advisory practice the last 15 years around this philosophy. I travel the world sourcing art for my clients and am very proud that I have created a balance. I believe what sets me a part from my peers, is my ability to connect energetically to one’s visual and emotional desires to fall in love with art that brings them joy.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would fly to Bali and hop on a sailboat to sleep out every night under the stars. Every day we would snorkel or scuba diving to check out the coral and life under the water. After 3 days sailing, I would hop on a plane to Paris and go check out the Picasso Museum to share Picasso’s process and passion for art. For dinner that night, I would go to Arpège and discuss goals and dreams for the next few years. The next day, I would take them to the Louvre and the LV Fondation to gain more inspiration on art and architecture. On the 6th day, I would fly back to LA just in time for dinner at PACE in Laurel Canyon. The last day would be sunrise on the beach in Malibu followed by walks in the garden at the Getty Museum and finally sunset at Nobu Malibu over looking the ocean.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As I started diving into the art world, I joined the Executive Committee of the Whitney Contemporaries, the Young Fellows of the Frick Collection, and co-founded the Young Patrons Circle of the American Friends of the Louvre in New York. Each of these institutions gave me an opportunity to learn about the history of art, be surrounded by passionate art collectors, and gave me a chance to give back and support the artistic community. Being able to sit with the Directors of these Museums not only inspired me, but gave me a clearer understanding of the long-term importance of art and preserving it for future generations. I made a point to purchase an exhibition catalog of every major Museum art exhibition I attended and still do to this day! Early on, some of my favorite exhibitions were Manet/Velazquez at the MET, Matthew Barney’s Cremaster Cycle at the Guggenheim, and looking forward to every Whitney Biennial. I would like to dedicate to both of my Grandmothers and great Aunt who inspired me with their art. From both sides of my family, my blood is filled with creativity and the energy of my family’s heritage and passion is a result of where my heart has taken me today.

Website: kipton.com

Instagram: instagram.com/kipton

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kipton

Facebook: facebook.com/jkcronkite

Image Credits
photo credit @kipton