Meet Maurizio Schaltegger | Art Agent

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maurizio Schaltegger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maurizio, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After careers in law enforcement and winemaking, I realized I had a talent for building relationships and connecting with people.
I wanted to create a space where artists could thrive without being limited by geography, gatekeeping or outdated systems. I am not an artist myself, but I saw how many artists struggled to navigate the business side and I knew I could bridge that gap. I realized there was a real need for honest representation and international visibility, especially for emerging artists. That is what led me to create MTX Art Agency.

What should our readers know about your business?
Many people think the art world is glamorous and spontaneous. But in reality, it is deeply strategic and relationship driven. Behind every exhibition, sale or artist breakthrough are countless hours of planning, negotiation, logistics and problem solving. Art is emotional and personal, but the business of art is very calculated. It is a serious business and it takes hustle, patience, and a thick skin.
You need to go all in, emotionally and financially.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has risks played in your life/career?
Risk has shaped everything. Moving from Switzerland to Texas, launching a business in a foreign country, and investing time and money into a vision that did not exist yet. It has all been a risk, but I believe that meaningful growth only happens when you’re out of your comfort zone.
My compass has always been my gut. The heart can be too emotional, the head too logical. But the gut is pure instinct. It has never let me down, and it led me to exactly where I am supposed to be. It has not always been the easiest way, but worthwhile to face the challenges.

Other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
Learning from the best. I have always looked to people like Ari Emanuel and what he achieved at “Endeavor” in Los Angeles. His mindset, work ethic and strategic thinking have influenced how I run my business tremendously. He is not just managing talent, he has built and became the ecosystem. That inspired me to create something bigger than just an agency – it’s about scaling, markets and legacy.

My goal always was to find a way to not just dream a life I would like to lead, but actually live my dream, making it become my reality.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d start by getting them out of the city and into the heart of what I love: small-town Texas charm with real character.
Places like Brenham, Round Top or Fayetteville come to mind. A few evenings, we’d drive into Houston for a night out. Dinner at Perry’s, then drinks at the rooftop bar at Le Meridien in Downtown Houston is definetly on the list. We’d be eating a lot – whether it’s classic Texas BBQ, Vietnamese or Mexican food, Crawfish or Steaks – Houston’s diversity would be on full display.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Friends and family who believed in me and my dream, especially my parents.

Ari Emanuel, CEO & Super Agent. His playbook at “Endeavor” in Los Angeles is a main influence of how I try to run my business.

And last but definetly not least, the great state of Texas, which keeps inspiring me to never stop going forward.

Website: https://www.mtxartagency.com

Instagram: mtx.artagency