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Maria Baibakova is an arts entrepreneur.

Born in Moscow, Baibakova holds a BA summa cum laude in Art History from Barnard College, MA from The Courtauld Institute of Art, and MBA from Harvard Business School.

In 2008, Baibakova founded Baibakov Art Projects (BAP) in Moscow, New York, and London - an organization that is committed to the support of contemporary art. Initially founded as an exhibition platform in Moscow, BAP organized nine critically acclaimed exhibitions in Moscow featuring over seventy artists, as well as produced numerous educational events and publications under Baibakova’s leadership as Director and Chief Curator between 2008 and 2010. Through a rigorous program spanning over 40K sq ft of exhibition space, Baibakova helped launch the Red October Chocolate Factory district, home of today’s creative hub in Moscow.

Currently, Baibakov Art Projects is a multi-vertical organization that engages in curatorial and editorial work, philanthropy, and strategic consulting projects with organizations and individuals in the arts, including past clients such as Sotheby’s and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Baibakova actively supports women in the creative industries, including via her role as founder of the Artemis Council for women artists at the New Museum (New York), as Special Adviser for Arts and Philanthropy for UN Women UK (London), and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Association of Women in the Arts (London), as well as an ex-trustee of Barnard College where she established scholarship for women pursuing art history.

Baibakova is an active investor in the art and tech sector, previously serving as Strategic Director and on the Board of Directors of Artspace.com. She is currently an investor in ArtBinder and an adviser to ARTA.

Baibakova was named one of the 100 most influential people in the art world by Art+Auction magazine In 2009 and 2014; “30 Most Influential People in the Art World Under 30 Years Old” by ARTINFO in 2012; and "100 Most Powerful Women in the Art World" by Artnet in 2014.