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The Engagement Appeal x Mildred Yuan: Acting with Agency

By Emmeline Armitage

The meeting point of art and commerce is ever-changing and hard to define. What place does art have in the world of finance? How can young, savvy individuals learn to secure their footing in the world of work through smart investment? What advice do successful entrepreneurs have for the youth of today about finance, culture, and belief in the self? These are all questions ‘Art and the City’ seeks to answer, by interviewing some of the brightest and boldest minds in both the art world and the city.  

In this week’s episode, we interview Mildred Yuan, an agent, diversity advisor and coach with 11 years’ experience in TV, film, theatre and books. She is a voting member of BAFTA and founding member of the PMA Racial Diversity Working Group, whose recent work with the Diverse Squad includes the launch of the Inclusive Complexion Edit in collaboration with global make up brand Mac Cosmetics. She works to empower actors to take control of their careers, and so is the perfect candidate for an interview about the intersection of creativity and corporate professionalism.  

Mildred admits early in the episode, “I don’t think I’ve ever done anything expected of me.” After graduating from university, she took up a corporate job in management consulting, whilst also pursuing her love of professional ballroom dancing. In juggling dual careers, she became an exemplar model of where art meets the city, eventually taking a punt on the combination of her two loves when one of her dancing friends asked her to look over a contract. She is now a reputable talent agent, using equally her skills in negotiation as well as her extensive knowledge of how the arts operate on a day-to-day level.  

The advice she’d give to her younger self? Be curious! And aim to understand nuanced thought and diversity of thinking. Mildred admits that the changes she would like to see in the city are all based around understanding difference of opinion that comes from networking outside your bubble. She warns never to underestimate the power of looking outside of the box, and urges young creatives and professionals alike to interact with people you wouldn’t normally in your job, in order to develop a better understanding of the value of your work in the world at large.  

To listen to the full episode: Art x City feat. Mildred Yuan

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