A Conversation with Everette Taylor

Everette Taylor is CEO of Kickstarter, the world’s premier crowdfunding platform for creative projects. Under Everette’s leadership, Kickstarter was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Companies for the company’s global impact in the creator economy. Most recently, Everette was named Ad Age 40 under 40 for revamping Kickstarter’s brand identity. He was also recognized on the Time 100 Next list as an emerging leader who’s shaping the future and defining the next generation of leadership. As a returning member of our Honorary Committee, Everette joined us for a rapid-fire round of questions on the biggest changes he's seen in the collectible design world, artists who deserve more attention, and more.

Salon Art + Design is celebrating its 15th anniversary. What do you think has been the key to the fair's lasting success?

I think Salon’s lasting success comes from having a distinct and clear point of view while continuing to evolve in an ever-changing world. It understands that today’s collectors aren’t just collectors, but that design is also a part of their identity and lifestyle. I believe the fair is a reflection of the modern-day collector while still maintaining a high level of quality. Every year I’m discovering something new and that feels exciting.

What's the biggest change you've seen in the collectible design world over the past 15 years? And what gives you the most optimism for its future?

The democratization of the collectible design world. It’s gone from a niche category to a larger part of the cultural conversation. With social media, more and more people are falling in love with design and want to live more intentionally with design. What gives me hope is that the space feels more global and diverse than ever before, and I’m grateful to see people from all over embrace design.

If you could bring home one museum-quality work of art or design, what would it be—and why?

Injustice Case (1970), David Hammons.

Whose work has had the greatest influence on your eye as a collector?

James Baldwin has probably had the greatest influence on my eye as a collector. His ability to examine identity, power, beauty, and the complexity of the human experience has shaped how I look at art.

What's one object you've lived with—or encountered—that continues to reveal something new every time you see it?

A relatively new work in my collection by McArthur Binion, dna:study, 2026. It’s a white-on-white painting with slightly visible address books. Every time I look at it, I see a new name or detail I didn’t notice before.

What's one piece of advice you'd give someone buying their first significant work of art or design?

Love it.

What's one myth about collecting that you'd love to debunk?

Just because a master made it doesn’t mean everything they make is a masterpiece or worth buying.

What do you hope Salon Art + Design is known for 15 years from now?

Shepherding a new generation of art and design lovers and helping people embrace the things they can feel and touch, not just things on a screen.

What's currently capturing your attention—whether it's a project, a collection, or a new area of interest?

Brutalist architecture and design.

What's the best exhibition you've seen recently—or one you're especially looking forward to this fall?

Arthur Jafa: I Am Tony at the New Museum.

What's one object you wish you'd bought when you had the chance?

The pgLang x Lite Phone II collaboration. Only 250 were made and I’m still trying to figure out how to detach from my iPhone.

What's one artist or designer you think deserves much more attention right now?

Daveed Baptiste, a genius but an even better person.