Alexis Hyde shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Alexis, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Heated Rivalry.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an art curator at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, a global law firm where we have created a unique cultural footprint in what might seem like an unlikely setting. I founded and am the Executive Director of the Quinn Emanuel Arts Foundation, which has brought 23 (very soon to be 27) artists across Los Angeles, NYC, and London over four years, resulting in 11 exhibitions that transform the firm’s offices into art studios.
The role goes beyond traditional curation. We run artist-in-residence programs in all three cities, bringing contemporary artists directly into the corporate environment. I also developed “The Art of Discovery,” a workplace initiative that takes colleagues out of the office and into LA galleries for intimate, educational experiences that blend art appreciation with networking. These quarterly events create meaningful connections among people who might otherwise only interact in conference rooms.
The position lets me bridge two worlds: I’m bringing serious contemporary art programming into a corporate context while also producing cultural content, coordinating exhibitions, and managing relationships across the art world and legal profession. I also host the podcast “Hyde or Practice” and actively work as an art advisor and consultant.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The people-pleasing part.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me that other people suffer. It made me more empathetic and turned me into an advocate for others. The years I struggled were extremely defining in how I view hard work, compensation, and who suffers and why. That experience drives me now to get resources to people who need them in any way I can, whether that’s educational opportunities or more substantial support like through the artist residence programs.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Gatekeeping is the way.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Who knows, I’m still tending seeds I planted almost 20 years ago.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alexishyde.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/hydeordie
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-hyde-331687a/
Image Credits
Alexis Hyde
