Forbes 30 Under 30 2026: How US-based Arushi Kapoor is making museum-grade art collecting accessible

(Jul 6, 2026) Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree Arushi Kapoor leads The Agency Art House, advising high-net-worth collectors on museum-grade art collections while serving on Tate Modern’s South Asian Acquisitions Committee, ICA Miami, LACMA’s Future Arts Collective and UNICEF NextGen. With her work archived by the Library of Congress in the US, the art advisor and entrepreneur is helping elevate Indian art and craftsmanship on the global stage. 

Growing up in New Delhi, art was never something that hung silently on the walls for Arushi Kapoor. It sparked conversations. Paintings, architecture, textiles, craftsmanship and the stories woven into India’s cultural heritage formed part of everyday life in her home. Those early experiences eventually led her from being a curious young collector to becoming one of the influential voices in the global contemporary art market.

I didn’t choose art. Art chose me. I grew up in a home where paintings weren’t decoration, they were conversation. By 13 I was collecting. By 16 I wrote a book on it. Some people find their lane late. I found mine before I could drive.

Arushi Kapoor

Years later, that lifelong passion has earned her a place in the 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 list and positioned he at the intersection of art, luxury, philanthropy and cultural diplomacy.

The Indian-origin entrepreneur, based in the United States, is the founder and lead art advisor of The Agency Art House, a global art advisory and collection management platform that works with next-generation and ultra-high-net-worth collectors to build museum-quality contemporary art collections. But for Kapoor, art has always been about something bigger than ownership. “What has always stayed with me is the belief that art has the power to connect cultures, create dialogue, and leave a lasting legacy,” she shares with The Global Indian.

Finding her calling across three countries

Growing up between India, the United Kingdom and the United States broadened Kapoor’s understanding of art far beyond aesthetics. She became increasingly fascinated by how artists shape conversations around identity, politics and society, and how collecting could become an act of cultural patronage rather than simply acquiring valuable objects.

She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, combining her lifelong passion for art with a strong foundation in entrepreneurship and business.

To deepen that understanding, Kapoor gained hands-on experience at some of the art world’s respected institutions, interning with internationally renowned gallery Hauser & Wirth, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, and Revolver Gallery based in West Hollywood, California. The exposure gave her insight into both the creative and commercial sides of the global art ecosystem.

Building a company that removes the gatekeepers

The idea eventually became The Agency Art House, launched in 2024. Throughout her career, Kapoor observed that many first-time collectors and luxury property buyers found the art market intimidating, opaque and difficult to navigate. At the same time, talented emerging artists often struggled to reach new collectors outside traditional gallery systems.

Rather than accepting that reality, she decided to change it. Kapoor says the concept took shape after discussions with her business partner, Mauricio Umansky, founder of one of the United States’ largest luxury real estate brokerages, whose experience highlighted striking similarities between the property and art markets. Together, they launched The Agency Art House in 2024, combining art advisory, collection management, curation and luxury art staging under one platform.

Photo Credit: The Agency Art House

The art world loves to make itself inaccessible. It’s a feature, not a bug, for them. Collectors need a guide not a gatekeeper, and someone who demystifies and gets the deal done. That’s the gap I am filling through The Agency Art House.

Arushi Kapoor

The firm operates at the intersection of art, luxury and real estate, offering services that extend well beyond buying paintings. It advises clients on acquisitions, provenance and authentication, valuation, collection management, financial planning, logistics, insurance, installation and long-term collection strategy.

Its clients include private collectors, institutions and property developers looking to integrate museum-quality contemporary art into homes, hospitality projects and commercial spaces.

Kapoor says the company’s philosophy is simple: collecting should feel personal rather than transactional. The process begins with understanding a client’s tastes, space and aspirations before pairing them with specialist advisors who curate bespoke portfolios sourced through an international network of galleries, artists and private collections. The firm also educates collectors about navigating the contemporary art market—from understanding primary and secondary markets to evaluating emerging versus established artists. “In an era of unprecedented access, clarity is the ultimate luxury,” she mentions.

Carrying India into every collection

Although based in the United States, Kapoor says India remains central to both her identity and professional vision. Born and raised in New Delhi, she continues to visit frequently for family and work, drawing inspiration from the country’s artistic diversity and creative energy.

India is not a footnote in my story. It’s the first chapter, the middle, and the end. The color, the chaos, the craft, that’s my visual vocabulary. Every collection I build has a bit of Delhi in it. Whether the client knows it or not.

Arushi Kapoor

She believes Indian influence extends far beyond famous paintings. Architecture, philosophy, sculpture, textiles and centuries-old craft traditions all shape the way she thinks about collecting. That perspective has strengthened her commitment to creating greater international visibility for South Asian contemporary artists while encouraging richer cultural exchanges between India and the rest of the world.

Where art meets luxury living

The Agency Art House also reflects Kapoor’s belief that art should be experienced rather than merely owned. Alongside advisory services, the company has developed an art staging practice that helps transform luxury properties through carefully curated artworks, demonstrating how museum-quality pieces can shape the experience of living in a space.

Its approach combines scholarship, market knowledge and design, allowing collectors to build portfolios grounded in long-term cultural and financial value while supporting artists around the world.

With more than a decade of experience spanning private advisory, curation, philanthropy and entrepreneurship, Kapoor has also become known for creating immersive art experiences across residential, hospitality and institutional settings. Her broader mission remains consistent: making art more accessible while elevating underrepresented voices.

Photo Credit: The Agency Art House

Preserving heritage through entrepreneurship

Kapoor’s commitment to Indian culture is not limited to fine art. In 2017, she founded Shop AYKA, a fashion venture dedicated to showcasing India’s handcrafted textiles, embroidery, weaving and block-printing traditions to a global audience. Through the platform, she has worked to bring centuries-old Indian craftsmanship to international consumers while creating greater appreciation for the artisans behind each piece. For Kapoor, both ventures are driven by the same philosophy.

AYKA is the same blood, different vessel, Indian craftsmanship is some of the finest in the world, but the world doesn’t know it yet. I’m here to fix that. Same playbook as art: find the best, elevate it, sell it to people who get it. 

Arushi Kapoor

She believes entrepreneurship can become a powerful tool for preserving heritage when it creates sustainable opportunities for artisans while introducing traditional craftsmanship to international markets.

Influencing institutions that shape global art

The art advisor and entrepreneur’s growing influence extends well beyond private collections. She serves on the South Asian Acquisitions Committee at Tate Modern in London—one of the world’s leading museums of modern and contemporary art—helping support the acquisition of important South Asian works for its internationally recognised collection.

She is also part of the Young Collectors group at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Miami, a prominent contemporary art museum in the United States, and serves on LACMA’s Future Arts Collective, associated with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the largest art museum in the western United States.

Her philanthropic work also includes serving on UNICEF NextGen, a network that supports the global humanitarian organisation’s mission through advocacy and fundraising.

Kapoor’s curatorial work has also found a place in history. It is archived by the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.—the world’s largest library and the research library of the United States Congress—preserving her work as part of an institution that documents significant cultural contributions. She is also the author of Talking Art, a publication featured at Tate Modern that aims to make contemporary art more approachable for readers and collectors.

Photo Credit: The Agency Art House

Relationships before networking

Despite her growing list of prestigious affiliations, Kapoor believes meaningful relationships are built through contribution rather than networking. “I’ve always believed that meaningful relationships are built over time through consistency, curiosity and genuine engagement.”

Whether advising collectors, serving on museum boards, supporting philanthropic initiatives or speaking at cultural institutions, she sees every role as serving one overarching purpose: expanding access to art and supporting artists. She also credits her team, mentors and collaborators for enabling the company’s growth while keeping its focus on long-term impact rather than short-term success.

Looking towards India

As India’s art market gains increasing international attention, Arushi Kapoor is now expanding The Agency Art House’s presence in the country. Her vision includes building stronger collector communities, encouraging cultural patronage and positioning India as an increasingly influential force in the global contemporary art landscape.

She believes great collections should be global in outlook while remaining inclusive of diverse histories and voices. For art advisor and entrepreneur, however, the journey is still in its early chapters. “I don’t balance. I prioritize. I say no to almost everything. The things I say yes to, I own them completely,” adding “I’m building a legacy, not a lifestyle. The Agency Art House is just the beginning. I want to change how the world sees Indian art, how collectors build, and how art lives in spaces. I’m not done. Not even close,” she signs off.

• Follow Arushi Kapoor on LinkedIn and Instagram
• To learn more about The Agency Art House, visit its website

ALSO READ: Sidhant Lamba: Reimagining luxury living with global sophistication and Indian sensibilities