Theaster Gates and Troy Carter

Theaster Gates’s practice spans sculpture, installation, performance, and urban interventions that aim to bridge the gap between art and life. In his work as an artist, curator, urbanist, and facilitator, Gates engages cultural communities through projects that have the potential to lead to political, social, and spatial change. Gates will be in conversation with Troy Carter, founder and CEO of Atom Factory and co-founder and Managing Partner of Cross Culture Ventures.

Troy Carter is the founder and CEO of Atom Factory and co-founder and Managing Partner of Cross Culture Ventures. He most recently served at Spotify as its Global Head of Creator Services, overseeing the company’s relationships with artists, producers, songwriters and record companies. In 2017, Troy was also named Entertainment Advisor to the Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson. 

Troy rose to prominence In the music industry, nurturing the career of hip-hip sensation Eve before transforming Lady Gaga into a global pop phenomenon through the nascent innovation of social media. Since then he's managed the careers of John Legend, Lindsey Stirling, Meghan Trainor and Charlie Puth. His foray into the tech world resulted in the formation of Atom Factory's angel fund and VC fund Cross Culture Ventures. Early-stage investments include Uber, Lyft, Dropbox, Spotify, Warby Parker, theSkimm, MOAT, Gimlet Media, Thrive Market, and ATTN. 

Troy also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for The Aspen Institute and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, as well as a board member for organizations including The Grammy Foundation, United Nations Global Entrepreneurs Council and the James Madison Council at The Library of Congress. Carter spent time as a guest shark for Season 7 of ABC's hit primetime show Shark Tank, and has been globally recognized on industry lists for Fast Company's Most Creative People, Billboard's Power 100, as well as The Hollywood Reporter's Silicon Beach Power List.