Just before Christmas, we sit down with Charlotte Diwan, Director of Art Genève, as she finalizes the details for what’s becoming known as the art world’s "first fair of the year" happening in Geneva. Charlotte talks about her journey from cultural management to leading one of Switzerland’s most celebrated art fairs, sharing what makes Art Genève unique and the exciting new features visitors can expect this January. She also reveals her favorite Geneva spots, perfect for anyone planning to explore the city during the fair weekend.
Charlotte, can you tell us about your background and how you got into the art world?
I was born and raised in Geneva but left at 18 to study International Relations in London. At the time, I imagined working for an international organization or NGO. After completing my BA, I did a few internships in that field but soon realized it wasn’t for me. I already had a strong interest in art and culture, so I decided to intern for an art dealer in Geneva. I loved it! That experience led me to pursue a master’s degree in Cultural Management abroad. When I returned to Geneva (again) I was excited to “come back home” and specifically looked for a role in the arts and cultural space here.
I already knew about the existence of the fair, so I just emailed the director. Luckily, it just so happened they were hiring, and that was seven years ago! Initially, I managed VIP events and relations. Over time, my role expanded to include partnerships and working with the communications team. Being part of a small team meant I was always wearing many hats and had an insight into each department. By 2023, when the director role opened, I had enough experience across the board to step in - and when they asked me to apply to the role, it was a no-brainer, I said yes!
So, the 2024 edition was your first Art Genève fair as the director - how was that experience?
It was a whirlwind of stress, pressure, and excitement! One of the highlights was being able to hire and assemble my own team. Although it was tough at times, I had great support from everyone particularly the various committees responsible for domains like gallery selection and strategy.
The transition from operational tasks to high level decision-making was probably the most significant shift. It was challenging but also exciting to step away from the nitty-gritty operations I’d been immersed in for years. Now I love being able to work on the big picture.
What do you enjoy most about your job today?
The variety is incredible. One day, I’m in meetings about security; the next, I’m working with the artistic programming committee or brainstorming catering options. Then, there’s always technical surprises that pop up in between, like figuring out how to install a massive sculpture or securing a local museum’s participation in the fair.
What’s truly rewarding is collaborating with such diverse groups: specialists in the different industries, sponsors, the general public, and the cultural institutions we engage with.
Is there anything you dislike about your job?
*Laughs* Honestly, I love it all. But if I had to pick, budgeting and invoicing are not my favorite tasks. If I could hire someone new tomorrow, it would be an accountant to handle all of that for me!
How do you manage work-life balance in a “passion job” in the art world?
This job is definitely a passion, and it’s always taken up a lot of my time and headspace, even in the early days. I’ve had to learn to set boundaries, especially in this new role where I’m constantly “on.” Over the past year and a half, I’ve made a conscious effort to take time for myself and spend it with family and friends. They’re the ones who help me keep a balance.
How do you position Art Genève compared to other art fairs like Art Basel and Frieze?
Art Genève has a distinctive character and a few key features that make it unique. It’s a human-scaled, international art fair that offers a diverse selection of exhibitors, whilst keeping a local touch. Additionally, beyond galleries, we always include institutions and cultural organizations in our programming.
Our connection to Switzerland and Geneva is quite unique, even as we maintain international appeal, around 30% of our galleries are Swiss. Each year we also invite Swiss and Geneva-based institutions, such as HEAD, ECAL, and L’École Cantonale d’Art du Valais. We also collaborate with local museums like MAMCO and the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire. This mix of galleries, universities, institutions and museums creates something for everyone, whether you’re a collector, an art professional, or simply an art enthusiast.
What are the highlights can we expect at the 2025 edition of the fair?
This year, we’re including the parallel fair P.A.G.E.S dedicated to art books and contemporary prints, organized by HEAD. It’s their fifth year running it, but 2025 marks the first time it will be integrated into Art Genève at Palexpo.
There’s also a focus on video art, with a curated exhibition bringing together six large-scale installations around the theme of food. Additionally, we’re partnering with local institutions to host public events, like a concert at the Grand Théâtre on Saturday 1st February.
Oh, and you might have noticed, we’ve got a brand-new graphic design this year! We worked together with Base Design to refresh our brand identity. Our goal was to create something elegant, singular and warm.
What five things would you recommend visitors do in Geneva during the art fair weekend?
January is perfect for combining the fair with a ski holiday, so that is usually what most people do, but there’s so much to do in the city as well:
Definitely take advantage of the cultural programming tied to the fair, we make sure there is something for everyone - you can find all the details on music, art tours, large format installations and much more on our website.
Visit the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, it’s hosting a major exhibition opening at the same time where the artist Carol Bove gets the “Carte Blanche” to explore the museum’s collection
Grab a coffee and pastry at Sawerdo near the train station - fantastic bread and brunch.
When it comes to food, you can enjoy dinner and drinks at Bombar, or Da Paolo in Eaux-Vives for pizza, or La Pinte du Floris for an amazing fondue with a view on the lake.
Don't forget to check out the local galleries and art spaces beyond the fair - my favorites are Mezzanin, Sébastien Bertrand, Skopia and Lovay Fine Arts.
Lastly, what advice would you give to someone looking to break into the art world - or switch industries like you did?
Just like in any industry, hard work is essential, but so is being open to opportunities. Often, the opportunities are right there - it’s just about recognizing them and acting on them.
Want to win a ticket to Art Genève?
We’re raffling off a one day entry ticket to the 2025 edition of Art Genève, running from 30 January to 2 February at Palexpo. Don’t miss the chance to experience this unique blend of international art and local culture.
Enter your details below to win!
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