Young Masters is a curatorial platform that celebrates and supports emerging artists from across the world who are inspired by the art of the past.
Young Masters was founded by gallerist Cynthia Valianti Corbett in 2009 as a not-for-profit juried Art Prize, inspired by her love of Art History and the Old Masters.
The success of the Prize has grown over six incredible editions and has spotted the talents of over 400 artists who are part of our alumni network.
Now, in 2025, our revitalised mission is to support emerging artists from across the world, bringing their work to a wider audience through a curated programme of pop-up exhibitions and fairs as well as maintaining a vibrant online presence that showcases our wide network of talented artists.
This global visibility and support can be career-making and life-changing, with opportunities for sales, exhibitions, gallery representation, press, and much more.
Sweet 16: Young Masters Retrospective
Frieze Week
67 York Street Gallery, London, 14 - 20 October 2025
Ghost of a Dream. Dream Home (2009). Discarded Lottery Tickets Wood and Mixed Media Dimensions variable, 8 panels plus furnishings and paintings. The Collaborative Project of Lauren Was and Adam Eckstrom – winner of the very first Young Masters Art Prize in 2009.
As Young Masters marks its 16th anniversary, the award-winning platform presents Sweet 16: Young Masters Retrospective, a landmark exhibition celebrating over a decade and a half of artistic innovation rooted in the rich traditions of art history. Taking place at 67 York Street Gallery during Frieze Week, this special showcase reflects the evolution and impact of the initiative since its founding in 2009. The exhibition features a curated selection of past finalists/winners and new talents, each offering a unique and contemporary take on classical techniques, cultural narratives, and historical references.
Highlights include the artist collaborative ‘Ghost of a Dream’, joint winners of the inaugural Young Masters Art Prize in 2009; Matt Smith, winner of the inaugural Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramic Prize in 2014 and new tapestries and Ebony Russell, winner of the Brookfield Properties Craft Award 2025. Young Masters continues to champion diversity, cross-cultural dialogue and the enduring relevance of art history in today’s global art scene.
