Kaeley McCann
Kaeley McCann is a passionate art professional currently serving as Gallery Development Executive at Opa Projects. A COVID transplant from California, she arrived in the city not knowing exactly what path she would take after previously working as a personal assistant. Immersing herself in the local art scene, Kaeley was fortunate to find a mentor who owned a gallery and guided her through the intricacies of the industry. After applying to 22 galleries, he was the only one to respond and hire her, an experience she describes as truly meant to be. That mentorship remains an important part of her career today.
With experience as an art advisor at GALERIES BARTOUX, Bel-Air Fine Art, and Markowicz Fine Art, Kaeley brings expertise in sales, market development, and exhibition strategy. At Opa Projects, she oversees a fast-paced program where exhibitions rotate every six to eight weeks and events like “Brunch with Opa” and Thursday cocktail hours engage collectors, artists, and the community. She specializes in cultivating relationships with collectors, institutions, and creative communities while combining digital marketing, social media, and event planning skills to elevate the gallery’s presence locally and internationally.
Beyond her professional work, Kaeley is deeply committed to community engagement and mentorship. She has volunteered as a Surf Therapy Instructor with THERASURF and with L.A. Works, supporting children and environmental initiatives. She thrives at the intersection of creativity, culture, and business, helping to shape experiences that connect artists, audiences, and communities while fostering meaningful, lasting engagement.
• General Assembly,
Dash
• Autism Speaks
• THERASURF
• L.A. Works
What do you attribute your success to?
Honestly, I feel like part of it is luck. I have gotten really lucky with right time, right place, right person. But I think it's also because this is something that I've truly always wanted to do. I have, since I was little, been so interested and invested in arts and culture, and I think that when you follow a passion, it's always gonna work out, no matter what. It might not be the way that you want, but it's always gonna work itself out. That passion and persistence have been my driving forces, even when things got difficult.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't give up. Even if it seems like the end, if it's not okay, it's not the end. Just keep going. Keep going. I have wanted to give up so many times, especially in this field because it can be really volatile, but you just have to keep going. Persistence is everything, and when you stay committed even through the hardest moments, that's when you break through.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge right now is just the state of the world. It's kind of a constant state of unknowing, which makes people not automatically feel secure in making large purchases. It's difficult to foster that relationship where they feel completely safe purchasing art right now. But the biggest surprise has been that since the world is in a little bit more turmoil right now, people are really leaning in towards the arts, and they are craving that kind of arts and culture feeling. They want to be connected to something deeper, and I can really see that happening a lot out here. Despite the uncertainty, there's a genuine hunger for meaningful cultural experiences.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and respect. Always. If you're honest and you treat other people the way that you want to be treated, that's what matters most to me. I don't want much to do with people who don't live by those values. Have respect for the people around you and be honest. That's it. Those two principles guide everything I do, both professionally and personally.