Maria Vega: Curator, Gallerist, and Visionary Founder
Founded in 2008 by curator, collector, and activist Maria Vega, Ministry of Nomads operates at the intersection of commercial, educational, and philanthropic initiatives. Based in London and with a global reach, the gallery offers a comprehensive program of exhibitions, studio residencies, and mentorships, designed to cultivate and showcase emerging talent on the international stage. Vega has long championed the voices of young and outsider artists, particularly those addressing climate change and environmental themes.
2014 marked a significant expansion of Vega’s vision with the establishment of the M.O.N. Art Foundation, which has spearheaded initiatives that elevate underrepresented artists on an international stage. One of the foundation’s key projects is the Emerging Bolivian Artist Award, launched in 2015 in collaboration with the Bolivian Embassy in London and supported by The Falcone Foundation. This award grants emerging Bolivian artists the opportunity to exhibit their work in London, expanding their reach and impact.
A champion of immersive experiences, Vega is known for transforming non-traditional spaces—historic buildings, abandoned sites, and outdoor landscapes—into dynamic exhibition venues. Alongside its physical programming, M.O.N. is expanding its reach through it’s Viewing Rooms, a virtual extension of its exhibitions, offering a curated digital and immersive experience that complements and enhances its brick-and-mortar shows. Through her vision, Maria Vega continues to shape the contemporary art landscape, amplifying voices that challenge, inspire, and provoke meaningful dialogue.
Working with established artists, Ministry of Nomads fosters large scale installations and monumental exhibitions. Engaging an international roster, the gallery sources talent from across the world, offering artists the opportunity to exhibit their work in London and globally.
Known for transforming non-traditional spaces, Ministry of Nomads reimagines historic buildings, abandoned sites, and natural landscapes as immersive art venues. Most recently, Maria Vega curated and produced Chronos, a Venice Biennale satellite exhibition at St. George’s Anglican Church, featuring ten monumental oil paintings by Ministry of Nomads artist Maria Kreyn. Set against the backdrop of Venice - a city rich in history yet at the forefront of climate change - the exhibition invited viewers to reflect on creation, destruction, and rebirth, mirroring our fragile relationship with the Earth. Complementing its physical programming, Ministry of Nomads has expanded into the digital realm with its innovative Viewing Rooms. This virtual extension offers curated digital experiences that enhance and parallel the gallery's brick-and-mortar exhibitions, providing a holistic and accessible approach to contemporary art.
Through its dedicated Young British Talent program, Ministry of Nomads serves as a launchpad for emerging UK artists. Working with exceptional graduates from the country’s leading art schools, as well as gifted outsider artists, the gallery nurtures their practice through exhibitions, residencies, and mentorship, helping their work resonate across cultural and geographical boundaries.
Through this multifaceted and holistic approach, Maria Vega and Ministry of Nomads continue to shape the contemporary art landscape, amplifying voices that challenge, inspire, and provoke meaningful dialogue.
