Tchera, what are your duties and responsibilities at WAM?

My primary responsibility is to make sure that the minimum amount of funds necessary for the company’s continuation and progress is coming in every week. We are involved in multiple projects at all times that make sure we have enough business and cash flow. WAM most significantly is a sponsoring agent that provides the support system to many international non-for-profit art organizations and art professionals.

This also means that I design and produce projects mostly for artists and galleries that we provide service to as well as for some other professionals in the contemporary art world including curators, writers, designers, publications, museums, institutions and art fair organizations so that we always have multiple venues and possibilities to offer these art professionals to participate in and promote their works. These projects are wide ranging and on an international scale. We produce exhibitions and curatorial projects, magazine articles and reviews, press releases, newsletters, books and catalogues, DVD/video and multi-media projects and websites. We also organize International Artists’ Residency Programs. We place the projects we produce in contexts such as alternative and major art fairs some of which are Art Cologne, Art Basel, Art Basel Miami, Contemporary Istanbul, Shanghai Contemporary, Scope and others, in art publications and online at some very potent sites for vigorously promoting the works we deal with. We also provide artist consultations, place ads and offer distribution services. Ultimately our goal is to get global recognition for the work of the artists, galleries and art professionals for whom we work with.

We have the responsibility to follow through carefully each detail of each of these projects that we provide to approximately 100 artists/institutions that we work with at any given time. Perhaps 40-50% of this are completely customized services meaning that we might draft custom proposals in relation to the specific needs and goals of the particular artist and probably 50-60% of our services are more basic and/or less intensive in terms of regularity, meaning we might do a couple of small projects with some clients during the course of a year while we produce many projects including all of our services for some artists during the course of that year.

How long have you been doing this type of work?

I’m a former artist and have been doing this type of work for over 20 years. However I think this is the first time I’m able to utilize as many aspects of what I have been doing all at once and in one context.

How did you get your job?

Through craigslist.com

How did your background and personal history prepare you for your job?

I have a background in design and theater, which I think makes the answer to this question “directly!” I studied costume and fashion design and produced my own line for 13 years and designed for the theater and multi-media as an image-maker while I also worked for publications as a writer, editor and art director. Additionally, I have experience working as an art director and publicity manager of a 2000-person capacity concert hall and club for a few years. Then I studied acting and worked in the theater as an actor. After six years of doing theater I finally hooked up with World Art Media in 2005.

What is the best part of your job?

I get to use my skills to full extent and furthermore constantly challenge myself in multi-tasking while dealing directly with people and keep learning about art.

What are the essential skills of your job?

Being in a disposition that is passionate about understanding human nature, I think, is the most essential skill for being successful in any job; meaning caring enough to develop concentration first and then working on deepening it, always. Equally important is enjoying multi-tasking is essential in particular while being in a directing position of a PR Agency specializing in representing artists and contemporary art world professionals. Furthermore, having an innate desire to communicate and interact with people is crucial. Ultimately enjoying being of service to people is essential and being detail oriented certainly helps.

What aspects of your career are you not so fond of?

TN: It’s a more general aspect rather, that my focus is on right now for improvement. I wish to be as prolific, and indeed more so, while also being able to take a little more personal time; meaning working less hours and not losing efficiency in my job first and then improving on that by being yet more efficient with my time. I think it’s already happening slowly and surely as our team is expands.

If somebody wanted to enter your field, what advice would you give them?

TN: Waste NO time! Ask yourself every day: “Do I love it?” If not do something else that you do or might love—or think you love. Imagine yourself in the shoes of the person(s) you’re working with and for. Be serious and have fun!