NYFA / News / We Asked the 2025 Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program Participants: What’s One Piece of Career Advice You’d Give to Other Artists?

Mei Seva photographed reflecting in a mirror, holding a camera

Image Detail: Mei Seva, Courtesy of the Artist

We Asked the 2025 Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program Participants: What’s One Piece of Career Advice You’d Give to Other Artists?

August 22, 2025

by Amy Aronoff

NYFA concluded the 2025 NYC Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program in June. We asked the artists to share takeaways from the program on sustaining one’s art practice.

NYFA’s Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program pairs immigrant artists with artist mentors who provide one-on-one support for their mentee, guiding them to achieve specific goals and providing them with broader access to the U.S. cultural world through an exchange of ideas, resources, and experiences.

Below, we share one piece of career advice that participants in our 2025 cohort would give to other artists.

Interested in participating in the Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program? NYFA will launch the open call for the 2026 NYC Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program on Tuesday, August 26.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other artists on sustaining one’s art practice?

Agustina Markez
Throughout the Immigrant Artist Mentorship Program, I came to understand just how vital community is to sustaining an art practice. One piece of advice I would offer to fellow artists is to actively participate in the arts ecosystem. Make the effort to attend openings, talks, and events that resonate with you. Show up for others, and take the time to build genuine relationships with the artists and art workers who inspire and reflect the community you seek.

Agustina Markez seated and pictured in a studio setting — Image Detail: Agustina Markez, Courtesy of the Artist

Elisa Lutteral
Stay organized and intentional. Set yearly goals and map a plan toward them, but remain flexible for what may arise along the way. Slowly build a community of fellow artists and friends on a similar path. Community grows through reciprocity; make time to support others. Many connections begin in informal spaces, so show up, follow up, and stay present. Most importantly, carve out regular studio time, even when conditions aren’t ideal.

Image: Elisa Lutteral, Courtesy of the Artist

Danielle Alhassid
My biggest tip is: go out—be in conversation—expand your community. Every human interaction could lead you to your next project, an inspiring dialogue, or a space you might want to be hosted in later. Putting yourself out there is hard, but I think it’s the best thing we can do as artists. That said, another tip I received and that helped me so much is: work where you feel comfortable and welcome. Collaboration is exciting, especially when you feel at home.

Danielle Alhassid pictured smiling at the camera in a studio setting — Image Detail: Danielle Alhassid, Image Credit: Elik Elhanan

Siyu Chen
Writing applications and cold emails can be overwhelming, and not all opportunities work for your practice. I would tell anyone to take time to vibe check a space, whether a gallery or a residency, before reaching out: go to openings and open studios, speak to people working there, study the CV of exhibiting artists and curators, and speak with someone you know already who is affiliated with the space.

Siyu Chen portrait — Image Detail: Siyu Chen, Courtesy of the Artist

Won Young Chang
I didn’t know there were so many art people who want to connect with each other with open minds. I’m quite shy, but through the mentoring program, I realized many artists feel the same way, which made me braver. Be comfortable with who you are and stay confident. You’re not alone. The world can be cold, but there are always good people out there.

Won Young Chang portrait — Image: Won Young Chang, Courtesy of the Artist

Assane Sy
My main piece of advice for any artists would be to find a mentor that can help you as a guide with your craft. An artist has to be consistent with their work, and has to build a community that reflects their work.

Assane Sy photographed with a camera slung over his shoulder and resting on his hip — Image: Assane Sy, Courtesy of the Artist

Rujuta Rao
What’s helped me most, especially when exhibition opportunities felt scarce, was creating my own resourceful channels to share work: mailing light, portable pieces to viewers during COVID, setting up bars with my books on menus. These approaches gave me agency, aligned with my work, and built momentum. Over time, this consistent practice formed a portfolio that institutions recognized and wanted to support. Don’t wait—make your work visible on your own terms.

Rujuta Rao's arm appears from behind the wall in a stairwell, hand in a downward wave motion — Image: Rujuta Rao, Image Credit: Peter Rigaud

Dai Asano
What I learned from the mentorship program is not to think about your career too much ahead, but simply focus on your practice.

Black and white portrait of Dai Asano — Image Detail: Dai Asano, Courtesy of the Artist

Mei Seva
Don’t give up before you’ve even started. Persevere, work hard, keep applying to grants and open calls, keep making work, keep talking to people about your work. Be dedicated, be passionate, and don’t become so consumed with the “art world” that you lose the joy in creativity.

Click here for more information on the Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program. Sign up for the monthly Immigrant Artist Program Newsletter to receive opportunities and events as well as artist features directly to your inbox.