Robin Cembalest
Respected journalist, influential Instagrammer, and the former longtime editor of ARTnews, Robin Cembalest teaches arts professionals to communicate effectively across all editorial channels.
Over 16 years at the helm of ARTnews, Cembalest shepherded the century-old magazine into the digital era, expanding its content and training generations of interns, writers, and editors.
In 2014, she launched her business Robin Cembalest Editorial Strategies, helping art-world clients to design and implement mission-based content.
She leads professional development workshops in writing, social media, and other essential skills at art schools, residencies, museums, professional organizations, and offers affordable classes for individuals on Eventbrite.
Widely published in the art and mainstream press, Cembalest is best known today as @rcembalest, handle of her popular Instagram.
HOW ROBIN REINVENTED HERSELF
On assignment for Artforum at the Guggenheim Bilbao
If you’ve seen Robin’s Instagram, you may be wondering “How did she get 54K Instagram followers”? Robin developed her social media savvy by channeling her extensive experience as an editor and writer into these new platforms.
A Long Island native, Robin studied art history and English at Yale before beginning her editorial career at Artforum. She then spent a year in Spain, fulfilling a dream of becoming a foreign correspondent.
Back in New York, she was soon in the art world again—as news editor at ARTnews. In 1998 she became executive editor of the century-old magazine, shepherding it into the digital era with the launch of original web content and social media channels, creating and running a paid intern program, and expanding coverage of diverse creative communities around the world.
Presentation about Instagram at the College of Art & Design Annual Conference 2024.
As social channels became increasingly relevant, Robin jumped at the opportunity to connect directly with audiences. She experimented with blogs on Tumblr and WordPress, then videos on Snapchat and Vine, ultimately consolidating efforts in Instagram.
In 2014, Robin decided to leave journalism behind, and pursue a career teaching others to write and publish on the new digital platforms. Combining her experience in magazines, mentorship, and social platforms, she launched a new business focused on professional development: Robin Cembalest Editorial Strategies. With her deep art-world expertise and her insights into the changing models of publishing, Robin has developed a distinctive model of professional training that helps students and clients to express and promote themselves effectively.
Ready to improve your digital presence?
Classes in writing, social media, public speaking, self-promotion, and other essential skills for MFA programs, residencies, and professional organizations, in person and online.