https://www.markscalil.com/about daily 1.0 2025-10-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6321ace4b609a97bb3a18167/742dfb7f-29d9-44bf-8dcb-7e8949b5a920/The+Team-2+May+Calil.jpg About - About May and Thomas May Calil and Thomas Marks are internationally respected strategists and communicators, specialising in the art and museums sectors. They have a strong reputation for offering independent, purposeful advice, based on their exceptional knowledge of the field and their longstanding commitment to art and artists. May and Tom share a deep commitment to the value of art and culture, and to the people, organisations and institutions that sustain creative endeavours. Both are active in governance roles – May as Chair of the Chisenhale Gallery, London, Tom on the board of Art UK – and are sensitive to the challenges facing arts organisations and their aspirations to ensure sustainable, inclusive futures. It is that outlook which prompted them to found Marks|Calil in 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6321ace4b609a97bb3a18167/8b7eb776-129b-4745-8d52-18263717e766/I+LIKE+THIS+ONE+May+Calil.jpg About - May Calil in May offers experience in business development and change management, drawing on two decades of immersion in both public and commercial arts organisations. She is highly regarded as both a strategist and a global connector in the arts. She enjoys working with clients to identify and develop new business opportunities, create dynamic strategies that can be implemented and provide strategic counsel. A qualified leadership and professional development coach, May works closely with creative leaders and organisations to clarify vision, stretch their influence, and take action. Her clients appreciate her capacity to enable creative ambition within operational constraints. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6321ace4b609a97bb3a18167/3d9d64fc-46f6-4309-af1e-9986e0348bcf/I+ALSO+LIKE+THIS+ONE+May+Calil.jpg About - Thomas Marks in Tom brings expertise on content and communications strategies, positioning and profile-building to Marks|Calil. His work with clients is grounded in an outstanding knowledge of the international art and museum sectors – as well as a passion for both historical and contemporary art and a deeply-held belief in their public value. Tom is an authoritative communicator in the art and museum sectors, most notably as the Editor of Apollo from 2013–21. In that role he worked to expand the reach and remit of the magazine, launching an online platform to publish daily content and establishing the Apollo 40 Under 40 initiative to celebrate innovation in the art and museum sectors. During his editorship he developed the annual Apollo Awards into a global benchmark of excellence. https://www.markscalil.com/thom-bio daily 0.75 2025-10-08 https://www.markscalil.com/may-bio daily 0.75 2025-10-08 https://www.markscalil.com/work-with-us daily 0.75 2025-10-08 https://www.markscalil.com/projects daily 0.75 2026-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6321ace4b609a97bb3a18167/aaa736e5-3f5b-4e0d-b27f-6b8c8a9e36f0/Test2-01.png Projects - Toledo Museum of Art, Ohio Toledo Museum of Art, Ohio, engaged Marks|Calil for a multi-year project (ongoing) to assist the museum in defining its global position and strategically building its international networks. We advise the director on how to assert its messaging in specific international contexts; on the structure and direction of a new international benefactor group; and on prospective partnerships with institutions and individuals outside the US. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6321ace4b609a97bb3a18167/2f7824f3-81ed-4723-9fad-a362e15f103d/Test2-01.png Projects - Office for Contemporary Art – Norway A year-long engagement to devise a new long-term strategy and identify priorities for international positioning and outreach. Collaborating with the director, and with a wide range of stakeholder input, we developed a 6-year strategic plan for OCA and tactics for implementation – including refreshed messaging, targeted international networking, profile-building for the director and a period of advisory support for the organisation’s head of communications. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6321ace4b609a97bb3a18167/98bd7160-a1b5-420d-832a-6ddd2cdc3199/Test2-01.png Projects - National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Marks|Calil worked with the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., on a six-month project to review the Gallery’s content strategy and delivery. Working closely with the director’s office, we evaluated structures, processes and strategic objectives for producing National Gallery content. This project resulted in a series of recommendations to the National Gallery on rationalising its content teams and developing and implementing skills and processes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6321ace4b609a97bb3a18167/2f7824f3-81ed-4723-9fad-a362e15f103d/Test2-01.png Projects - Wallpaper* A 6-month research project to understand global attitudes and behaviours of Gen Z in relation to the arts, as scoping for a major international initiative to broaden pathways for access. Outcomes included a report on Gen Z engagement; and viable proposals for competitions and awards to celebrate their participation in the arts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6321ace4b609a97bb3a18167/2f7824f3-81ed-4723-9fad-a362e15f103d/Test2-01.png Projects - Artangel, London Working closely with its new director, Marks|Calil undertook a review of Artangel’s development strategy. This involved consultation with its board and supporters to assess existing tiers of giving, as well as prospecting and engagement processes and strategies. Outcomes included new versions of the director’s statement, recommendations for benefactor growth and retention, and reimagined structures for the individual giving scheme. We also made introductions to new prospects and potential partners. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6321ace4b609a97bb3a18167/2f7824f3-81ed-4723-9fad-a362e15f103d/Test2-01.png Projects - Frieze Masters, London Guest-editing Frieze Masters Magazine in 2024, with a brief to create high-quality content to encapsulate the historical and geographical breadth of the fair. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6321ace4b609a97bb3a18167/79683f08-ddf0-40aa-9010-ff6a5d7ec507/Test2-01.png Projects - Ben Hunter Gallery, London A longstanding relationship to support the gallery’s leadership with strategy and decision-making. Ben Hunter Gallery has engaged Marks|Calil to advise on business development and positioning; on focusing the narratives for the gallery and its programme; and on its objectives and planning for a major expansion of its premises. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6321ace4b609a97bb3a18167/2f7824f3-81ed-4723-9fad-a362e15f103d/Test2-01.png Projects - Executive Coaching – May Calil As a qualified coach, May Calil combines deep insight with acuity to help creative leaders and organisations clarify vision, stretch their influence, and take action. With her strategic clarity, sensitivity to relationships and outcome-focused approach, May is well placed to help you move from possibility to sustainable change. To arrange a free initial consultation about coaching, please contact may@markscalil.com. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6321ace4b609a97bb3a18167/2f7824f3-81ed-4723-9fad-a362e15f103d/Test2-01.png Projects - Ibraaz, London In advance of opening its a new space in London, Ibraaz engaged Marks|Calil to advise on its governance structure and related policies. Outputs included proposed governance models; draft mandates and terms of reference for trustees; recommendations on risk assessment and management; and a draft fundraising and partnerships policy for the organisation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6321ace4b609a97bb3a18167/2f7824f3-81ed-4723-9fad-a362e15f103d/Test2-01.png Projects - New York-based Gallery A prominent gallery in New York engaged Marks|Calil for a year to advise on its European strategy, including its art-fair participation, possible gallery spaces in London or Paris, its artist roster and institutional relationships. We conducted a perception audit and researched specific market opportunities, which directly informed decision-making by the gallery’s leadership. We introduced a number of leading European artists to the gallery and made targeted institutional introductions across Europe for selected US-based artists. https://www.markscalil.com/contact daily 0.75 2025-10-08