50 Influential Art Figures to Follow on Twitter

Sometimes the last thing you want is to follow another person on Twitter. Maybe you're trying to keep your following/follower ratio in check, or maybe you just can't keep up with all the information. We can see both sides, but frankly, there are too many exciting individuals in art and design to ignore or miss out on. Some tweet out their own work and writing, others share images of their day-to-day experiences, others give advice and motivational quotes, and others simply keep you up to speed with the trends and happenings of the art world.

You may be wondering who can or should guide your Twitter feed into 2013 and beyond. We've made it easy for you. They come from all parts of the world and work in different fields, but they're all important. Enjoy our selection of 50 Influential Art Figures to Follow on Twitter.

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LIKE COMPLEX ART+DESIGN ON FACEBOOK

Friends With You / @friendswithyou

Fine Art Collective

Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III comprise Friends With You, a fine art collaborative that spreads positivity and good vibrations throughout the Internet. Follow them for more encouragement and motivation than you could have ever imagined, and occassionally, some art recs from either Samuel or Arturo.

Debbie Millman / @debbiemillman

Writer, Educator, Artist, Designer, and Host of the Radio Show, Design Matters

Debbie Millman is one of the more hilarious voices in the art Twittersphere, who shares her thoughts as both a creator and a student of others creating. Follow her immediately, if only to keep up with her awesome radio show, Design Matters.

Elena Soboleva / @elenasoboleva

Writer, Art Market Observer, and Gallery Liaison at Artsy

Elena Soboleva's love for art is apparent in every tweet, whether or not it links to her own writing or that of someone else. She attends and takes photos at the many events and openings she goes to, making her just as knowledgable about art trends as she is what's good in the NYC art scene at any given time.

Erik Spiekermann / @espiekermann

Typographer, Designer and Professor at the University of the Arts Bremen

He has all of those followers for a reason! Erik Spiekermann is a leading figure in the world of typography, and he deserves your undivided Twitter attention.

Steven Heller / @thedailyheller

Art Director, Journalist, Critic, Author, and Editor

Following Steven Heller on Twitter ensures that you'll know what's rocking the design world. Whether commenting on the latest logos, typefaces, or vintage design, he proves why he's a living legend in the field.

Bobby Solomon / @thefoxisblack

Editor-in-Chief of The Fox Is Black, Senior Designer at Disney

Bobby Solomon's tweets are a solid mix of art, design, beautiful Instagrams, and tech commentary. Follow him for good humor and the occassional Los Angeles food or drink tip.

Sam Sifton / @SamSifton

National Editor at The New York Times

Sam Sifton more broadly examines culture in a way meaningful to those interested in the arts. His scope of world happenings is impressive and fitting for his job at the Times.

Aaron Koblin / @aaronkoblin

Digital Media Artist

You will feel smarter by following Aaron Koblin on Twitter. As a data scientist and artist, he has a unique, practiced view on where art meets technology. Most of the projects he creates are highly interactive, so if you follow him on Twitter, you can be one of the first to participate in his cutting edge endeavors.

Shelby White / @ShelbyWhite

Designer and Founder of Designspiration

Unsurprisingly, Shelby White tweets a lot of design...and inspiration...much of it from his website, Designspiration. All of it is well-curated, and his intermittent Instagrams are worth the follow alone.

Linda Tischler / @LindaTischler

Design Columnist for Fast Company

Linda Tischler spots the connections between art and design in pop culture, sports, technology, and beyond in ways that most cannot. She tweets out loud, and her insight is invaluable.

Jason Silva / @JasonSilva

Filmmaker

He calls himself a "futuristic filmmaker," and therefore, it makes sense that he's aware of futurism in art and technology as a whole. He's become a voice in the arts for enthusiasm and encouragement, constantly tweeting motivational sayings and articles. Follow him for positivity and new ways to look at everything around you.

Paola Antonelli / @curiousoctopus

Senior Curator in the Department of Architecture and Design at MoMA, New York

Besides tweeting about the exciting happenings at MoMA in NYC, Paola Antonelli tweets about innovations and to-be historic moments in the art world. She tweets less frequently, but for her, it seems to be about quality more than quantity.

Friends of Type / @friendsoftype

Typographic Designers and Letterers

Friends of Type slips into the list as a group, and rightfully so. Aaron Carambula, Erik Marinovich, Dennis Payongayong, and Jason Wong have transformed design and lettering, and they tweet their own work and inspiration frequently. Don't miss out.

Jessica Hische / @jessicahische

Letterer and Illustrator

Jessica Hische continues to draw amazing lettering and represent the dream of being an independent, successful artist and designer in the 21st century. Follow her for a look into her life in San Francisco and to stay updated on her cool projects and commissions.

Matthew Israel / @crosstemporal

Director of The Art Genome Project at Art.sy

Matthew Israel's Twitter bio says that he "tweets about art, art history, art education, & art and tech." It's true, and he tweets about everything that matters in those realms. It's a special treat when one of his Artsy editorial posts slips in and we get to read some of his writing, too.

Austin Kleon / @austinkleon

Author of Newspaper Blackout and Steal Like An Artist

Austin Kleon is a writer and artist who has been changing the way we see visual culture through his books...and tweets. Follow him to keep track of a range of topics, and tweet at him to join in on the conversation.

Sara Friedlander / @SaraFriedlander

Post-War and Contemporary Art Specialist at Christie's

Sara Friedlander's Twitter feed is full of great pics and thoughts on art in and around NYC. She travels, muses on the art market, and makes good jokes.

Julia Kaganskiy / @juliaxgulia

Editor of The Creators Project and Co-Founder of Blue Box Gallery

Julia Kaganskiy is really running New York City, and her name is synonymous with everything having to do with the Creators Project and the #ArtsTech meetups that she started. Want to really be in the art illuminati? Follow her, attends #ArtsTech, and learn what's good in art both on and offline.

Jerry Saltz / @jerrysaltz

Senior Art Critic at New York Magazine

Jerry Saltz continuously produces art world criticism that makes us aware of the trends and artists taking hold in our culture. Follow him for just as many crucial insights as good jokes.

Annie Werner / @annie_werner

Arts Evangelist at Tumblr

As an arts evangelist at Tumblr, Annie tweets everything from cool GIFs to the latest art shows in NYC. Of course, her feed is connected to her Tumblr output, but that's the best part.

Francesca Gavin / @roughversion

Visual Arts Editor at Dazed & Confused

Francesca's tweets are a treat for artists and art enthusiasts alike, especially for those in London looking for the best exhibitions and opportunities to break in to the scene. Follow her for updates on the art world in London plus personal tweets that are often humorous and insightful.

Andrew Russeth / @AndrewRusseth

Editor of GalleristNY

Andrew Russeth is a machine. He continuously breaks important news in the art world and is a key member of discussion in the art world.

Jess Conatser / @jessconatser

Social Media Correspondent for Milk Studios

She tweets for Milk Studios, but she's also out in these NYC streets. Follow Jess Conatser for a mix of art, fashion, music, and other cultural gems.

Carolina A. Miranda / @cmonstah

Freelance Writer and Editor

Name a publication that Carolina A. Miranda hasn't written for. Yes, it's difficult. As it's her job to be in the know in the arts, she's frequently tweeting about what's fresh, especially when it comes to art technology and digital art.

Ryder Ripps / @ryder_ripps

Artist

Ryder Ripps tweets, "I don't believe in aliens because most people don't believe in me." Still, you should follow him to gain insight into his world of futuristic digital projects and musings.

Carter Cleveland / @carterac

CEO at Artsy

Carter Cleveland continues to change the world with his art startup, Artsy, and he updates his Twitter with its progress and news. Follow him to stay at the intersection of arts and tech.

JiaJia Fei / @VAJIAJIA

Digital Marketing Manager at the Guggenheim, Designer and Photographer

JiaJia Fei is a New Yorker who tweets from shows and events in the city. Follow her to see what pieces she finds to her liking, all with a sense of humor and affinity for cats.

Willa Koerner / @willak

Digital and Social Media Manager at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Willa Koerner tweets bits of her life from San Francisco and is aware of her presence on the Internet, in asking questions like, "What are we doing here (on the Internet)?" Follow her to find out what's going on in the art world on the West coast and beyond.

Jayson Musson / @therealhennessy

Artist

Words of wisdom from Jayson Musson: "A prerequisite for having a good sense of humor is possessing a fair amount of self-loathing." Follow him to see what he has to say about what's new in art and music, and if you're lucky, you might catch some advice for how to make it in the art world. While it looks like he's retired from his video persona as Hennessy Youngman, following him on Twitter ensures that you'll be the first to know when a new video might drop.

Marina Galperina / @mfortki

Art Editor and Blogger

Marina Galperina shares articles from being Arts Editor at ANIMAL New York, as well as awesome photos from her Instagram. Follow her to see what's good on and offline, including fun events like the upcoming Unofficial Vine NC-17 Very Short Film Festival.

James Victore / @JamesVictore

Designer, Artist, Author, and Teacher

James Victore tweets the truth and comes from the perspective of a teacher and writer. He keeps it personal, which is always nice, and often, his thoughts are relatable.

Hrag Vartanian / @hragv

Writer, Art Critic, and Editor of Hyperallergic

Hrag Vartanian shares many photos taken by himself of street finds and works on display at galleries. Follow him to join in on his points of view.

Marina Cashdan / @MarinaKCashdan

Arts Writer, Editorial & Films at Artsy

Marina Cashdan shares her work from Artsy and the Huffington Post in addition to up-to-minute happenings in the art world. Follow her to stay at the pulse of what's trending in art and design.

Kyle Chayka / @chaykak

Senior Editor at Hyperallergic

Kyle Chayka is a writer who stays at the pulse of what's new and exciting in art, technology, and culture as a whole. Follow him, even if it's just to stay updated with his writing for Hyperallergic and others.

Rebecca Taylor / @RebeccaTaylorNY

Communications Director at MoMA PS1

Rebecca Taylor keeps you up-to-date with what's going on at MoMA PS1 and art world institutions as a whole. Follow her for new, refreshed ideas of art.

Tyler Green / @TylerGreenDC

Editor of Modern Art Notes, Producer of the Modern Art Notes Podcast, and Columnist

Tyler Green is an art critic who also offers thoughts on the current state of art criticism. Follow him for Modern Art Notes updates and often breaking news about exhibitions and artists.

Christopher Knight / @KnightLAT

Art Critic at the Los Angeles Times

Christopher Knight's tweets let you know about recent art news and events in Los Angeles and beyond, including (but not limited to) his own writing. Follow him to stay updated with important happenings in the art world.

Roger Gastman / @ROGERGASTMAN

Author, Founder, and Creative Director of R. Rock Enterprises

Roger Gastman tweets about cool new art shows, food recs, and funny stuff across the web. Follow him for a unique take on what's going on in the world.

Marc Schiller / @MarcDSchiller

Founder of the Wooster Collective

Marc Schiller believes in true creativity and tweets inspirational thoughts, such as, "The oldschool hierarchical title of 'Creative Director' is something that I've never accepted. Since when is creativity 'better' at the top?" Follow him for movie recs and the happenings of the Wooster Collective.

RJ Rushmore / @vandalog

Editor at Vandalog

RJ Rushmore loves, shares, and muses about street art and graffiti in an insightful, informed manner online. Follow him to discover what's new in the world of street art.

Pharrell Williams / @Pharrell

Musician, Record Producer, Designer

Pharrell spreads art through his i am OTHER movement and various art and design projects. Follow him to celebrate what it means to be OTHER.

Maxime Buchi / @mxmttt

Publisher and Creative Director of Sang Bleu Magazine, Tattooist

Maxime Buchi shares amazing photos of his recent work and news about Sang Bleu Magazine releases. Follow him for your daily dose of ink and inspiration.

Sagmeister & Walsh / @sagmeisterwalsh

Designers

Sagmeister & Walsh design for a range of clients and have become legednary for their work in their lifetime. Follow the firm for photos of their latest projects (and therefore, a lot of inspiration).

Megan Newcome / @megannewcome

Digital Strategist at Phillips & Co

Megan Newcome shares online articles of interviews, news, and reviews, often in the context of her work at auction house Phillips & Co. Follow her for humor and unique insight.

Museum Nerd / @museumnerd

Museum Nerd

The anonymous Museum Nerd loves going to museums (obviously) and, lucky for you, he shares a breadth of photos and thoughts from his visits. Follow him for a taste of what's on display without having to leave your apartment.

Allegra Burnette / @allegraburnette

Creative Director at MoMA, New York

As Creative Director at MoMA, Allegra Burnette has just as much to say about art and design as she does about insitutional presence on and offline. While she may not even have a Twitter bio and keeps it unassuming, she has a unique perspective based on her job and the specific angle of her interest in art.

Elisa Carmichael / @elisacarmichael

Editor-in-Chief at Tasj Magazine, Co-owner of Carmichael Gallery

Elisa Carmichael tweets about the young and up-and-coming artists you should have on your radar, in addition to all the awesome work she does with Tasj Magazine. Follow her to find out about what's new in art and her gallery, Carmichael Gallery.

Klaus Biesenbach / @klausbiesenbach

Chief Curator at Large at MoMA

Klaus Biesenbach often takes to Twitter for his activism, most recently for post-Hurricane Sandy efforts in the Rockaways. He also occassionally shares photos from his minimalist, white NYC apartment, giving a peek into his interesting life in and out of work. Follow him for art reads and ways you can support the arts.

Paddy Johnson / @artfcity

Founding Editor of Art Fag City and Arts Editor for L Magazine

Paddy Johnson loves art and isn't afraid to be opinionated or controversial online. Follow her for reviews and sarcastic, informative commentary.

Zoë Salditch / @zoesalditch

Program Director of Rhizome

Zoë Salditch tweets her thoughts on art, especially progressive forms of digital and Internet art that couldn't be more relevant and important. Follow her to learn about the art of the future and what Rhizome is up to.