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Artists First Collective
Artists First Collective
Founded in 2024 by artists Amani Lewis and Allison Zuckerman, Artists First Collective is dedicated to empowering artists and advocating for positive change in the art world. Our mission is to create a support system where artists are valued, fairly compensated, and supported in navigating industry practices that can sometimes feel opaque or challenging.
At Artists First Collective, we aim to:
Exhibitions: Offer artists opportunities to showcase their work in curated exhibitions that prioritize their creative freedom, financial well-being, and a more equitable, sensible split between the artist and the venue.
Mentorship, Education & Dialogue: Provide one-on-one mentorship, educational resources, and group dialogues—both in person and via Zoom—helping artists navigate the complexities of the industry, including business practices, with guidance and community.
Commission Reform: Work to ensure that artists receive fair compensation for their work.
Resale & Royalties: Advocate for transparent resale agreements and artist royalties that prioritize the artist’s long-term success and protect their financial interests, particularly in secondary markets.
Giving Back: We are also deeply committed to giving back. Through our charitable initiatives, artists are encouraged to donate artworks to raise funds for charities, community service projects, and other causes close to their hearts. We aim to make a positive impact not only within the art world but also in the broader community.
Our collective is committed to creating an environment where artists are appreciated for their work and given the tools to succeed on their own terms. By reshaping industry standards, we are working to ensure a future where artists are in control of their creative and financial destiny.
Who We Are
Who We Are
Amani Lewis
Amani Lewis is a Miami-based artist, known for their powerful explorations of identity, community, and social justice. Amani holds a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), where they graduated in 2016 with a focus on painting and printmaking.
Amani has been featured in several prominent exhibitions, including "Amani Lewis: Subjective Nature" at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in Pittsburgh, "It’s from the light that we are found, blessed and guided" at Lévy Gorvy Dayan (2021), "Amani Lewis: Nothing Remains the Same" at Salon 94, and "Unapologetic WomXn" at The Venice Biennale in 2024. Their work often combines vibrant color, photography, and mixed media to challenge narratives around marginalized communities.
Amani's work has been extensively covered by publications such as Hyperallergic, Juxtapoz, and The New York Times, which have praised their ability to combine social activism with artistic expression.
As co-founder of Artist First Collective, Amani is dedicated to advocating for artist-friendly business models, ensuring transparency, and providing resources that support artists in their studio practices.
Allison Zuckerman
Allison Zuckerman is a Brooklyn-based artist, whose work is dedicated to empowering voices that have been historically silenced or left out, reimagining art history through vibrant and bold perspectives that celebrate resilience, identity, and strength. She earned her BA from the University of Pennsylvania in 2012, where she concentrated in fine art and art history, and her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2015.
Allison's curatorial experience includes notable projects such as "The Staging of Radical Vulnerability" at Spring Break Art Fair in 2017, "Vortex" at Kravets Wehby Gallery in 2020, and "Kaleidoscopic Companions" at Library Street Collective this past spring. Each of these exhibitions showcases her dedication to amplifying diverse voices and exploring new narratives in contemporary art.
Her work has been featured in major solo and group exhibitions, gaining recognition for its bold collision of art history and pop culture. Some of her most notable exhibitions include solo shows at Kravets Wehby Gallery, Stems Gallery, Koenig Gallery, The Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art, The Akron Art Museum and The Rubell Museum, where she was the artist-in-residence in 2017.
Allison has collaborated with prominent institutions and brands, including Veuve Clicquot, Vogue Italia, Vanity Fair, Tods, and her recent mural project with TikTok.
Through Artists First Collective, Allison continues her work advocating for fairer practices and a more accessible art industry that prioritizes the well-being of artists.
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