Imani Willis is an art liaison and emerging curator from Columbus, Ohio, whose passion for the arts was deeply inspired by her upbringing in Franklin Park’s rich artistic and civic culture. A proud graduate of Morgan State University, Imani has always been committed to the arts as a patron, connector, and advocate. Today, Imani’s motto remains “will travel for art,” with Art Basel Miami and Frieze Los Angeles among her favorite destinations.

Her love for art was nurtured from an early age by her parents, both community leaders with strong ties to Columbus’ Black arts scene. Regular visits to the Columbus Museum of Art and Columbus Metropolitan Library, along with formative experiences performing at the King Arts Complex and Davis Discovery Center, cemented her lifelong connection to culture and creativity. Weekends spent at ACE Gallery introduced her to iconic artists such as Kojo Kamau, Aminah Robinson, and Smoky Brown. 

After a decade in New York City working in tech and commercial real estate with CoStar Group and LinkedIn, Imani founded Art Moves 24/7, an arts education platform designed to amplify Black artists and connect diverse audiences to the art world. Through Art Moves 24/7, she has formed corporate and gallery partnerships, hosted art walks, artist talks, and created content that demystifies art collecting and fosters inclusivity in the arts.

Since returning to Columbus in 2023, Imani has expanded Art Moves 24/7 into an LLC and served as a media partner for BUTTER Art Fair in Indianapolis, where she conducted insightful interviews with artists and curators. Now, she is stepping into her role as a curator with her debut exhibition, continuing her mission to uplift artists, foster art education, and celebrate the transformative power of creativity.