I Want To Be... An Arts Administrator!
[ 7 October 2008 ]
Ashe Mischief has been reading iCiNG forever & wrote to me offering herself up as a sacrifice to the “I Want To Be…” section! She works in arts administration, something I had never really heard of, but which sounds like an excellent profession for someone who wants to work to help the arts! Here’s what she had to say on the subject…
Tell us about what you do.
My M.A. is in Arts Administration which focuses on, among other things, marketing, fund-raising, programming, special event planning, and financial management of arts organizations. Typically the focus is on non-profit arts organizations (museums, opera, theater companies, dance), though many of my interests lie in the for-profit realm as well (film and art galleries).
Right now my 8-5 is working in Development for the University with donors and unrestricted funds (money that can be used where there is a need!), though I worked as a Festival Organizer for the Dark Carnival Film Festival as well!
How long ago did you start on this path?
Intentionally, it began my senior year of undergrad when I fell in love with the Radici Gallery, the New Orleans’ art gallery I interned at. After that, I began wondering how I could combine that interest with the business background I knew I had to have. It was serendipitous that I came to Bloomington after Hurricane Katrina; Indiana University had a Master’s program in Arts Administration, which was exactly what I was looking for!
Did anything significant happen to get you to that point, or was it a series of small steps?
I would say that there are two significant moments that led me here: walking in to the doors of the Radici Gallery and landing that internship, and then moving to Bloomington. Had I not moved to Bloomington, I can’t guarantee that I wouldn’t have gone to graduate school for another program.
Do you think official qualifications are important for someone entering your industry?
I think with the increasing number of undergrad and graduate programs specializing in things like Museum Management, Arts Administration, Theater Management, that in the future it may be an asset for certain! But at the same time, I think arts organizations are great at finding people who are passionate and inspiring, who are willing to work their way up in the organization. I know several people who began as volunteers at an arts’ center and eventually worked their way up to Executive Director!
Rate how happy you are with what you do out of 100 (100 being the best, 0 being devastatingly awful) on an average day.
The hardest part of this question is defining an average day! I think that anyone in this industry will say there are days that are in the 20s and days that are in the 150s! I would say on an average day, it’s probably between a 73-78. During an event, I think that the happiness level is going to waver a LOT. I had days during Dark Carnival that were a 10 and a day that was probably a perfect 100.
Would you call yourself a workaholic, & if so, are you alright with that? Do you think that’s normal for your industry?
Personally, I don’t consider myself a workaholic. During school, I had to be, and I found that it was easier for me to hold on to my passion and enjoyment for my work if I didn’t bring it home with me (easier said than done!). I do think the industry definitely supports workaholics, but at the same time, I think there is enough flexibility in the field to accommodate all personality types and work ethics.
What would your number one suggestion be for someone who wants to do what you do?
Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer! It’s a great way to introduce yourself to your local arts community, to get to know how the organization operates, and find out if it’s a place you want to be. It can really help you narrow down your focus, too. Are you interested in promoting the space, raising money, working with people? Volunteer work can really help you discover what you’re good at and what you like to do. Most arts groups attach amazing perks to volunteering, like free tickets to shows! If you have a really refined skill (like accounting, marketing, law, etc.), you can always inquire about being on the Board of Directors as well; it’s unpaid, but is one of two governing bodies with any arts group. It can be immensely rewarding!
...How about number two?
Take classes! Even if just at your community college, having some understanding of how marketing works, what public policy is and how it affects your local arts community, how economics impact the arts, how an arts organization is going to budget and balance their books… it all leads to a greater understanding of not only the field, but of business & society in general.
What do you wish you had known when you first started out?
How easily people get burnt out and jaded. I will say, I don’t think this is exclusive to Arts Administration, but to the field of non-profit management overall. It has an incredibly high turnover, and I think it’s because people are put in high stress positions and for low pay. Passion and meaning really have to drive you and your ability to work within this field. It can be really difficult to work with people, especially early in your career, who exhibit this sense of begrudgement because they have been working so long. You really have to shrug it off and continue to believe that you can make change.
Are there any major misconceptions about your job or industry?
Arts Administration is not going to make you wealthy! Because it’s typically a non-profit field, the pay can stink quite a lot. I have seen a lot of people go in to the field as performers and use the profession as a back-up career (and back-up paycheck) while they try to launch themselves as performers, artists, and more. While I think that having a background and passion for art itself is a MUST in the field, but it’s an insult to the profession to think of the administrative side as a contingency plan. Be here because you love the art, not because you’re too good to wait tables.
I think another would be the perceptions of arts organizations. More and more, they are utilizing a business structure to operate their facility, and I think this builds bigger, better, stronger arts organizations! There are going to be people who fit the flakey “artist” persona, but I think people will be surprised to find out how many savvy and intelligent people are behind the office doors.
What is the best thing that’s happened to you as a consequence of the work you do?
For me, it’s always about the people. Whether I’m working a concession stand and interacting with patrons who are excited to be at an event, hosting a gallery reception and seeing the look on the artist’s face, or am managing Special Guests services for a festival, I love the ability to interact with so many people. The excitement that people have is really contagious, and on a hard weekend, nothing is a better cure for a bad mood than talking to an enthusiastic artist/patron/donor.
What motivates you to keep doing what you’re doing?
Honestly? My unending love and participation in the arts. The arts have been a huge component of my life since I was a child; from drawing and theater to photography and film, it’s a constant source of pleasure in my life. The second-runner up would be the people I meet who inspire and challenge me. On days I think of going back to grunt work, I think about the incredible people I’ve had an opportunity to meet— more often than not, they’ve got more passion and drive than I do, and it really inspires me to step up.
Do you think you’ll continue doing this for the rest of your life?
In some form or another, absolutely! I think my long-terms dreams include either owning an art gallery or a drive-in movie theater. But I try to keep myself flexible, and not make too many set plans!
What are your next big steps?
I’m currently scouting the country for the next place to be— a place I can settle down, that has a thriving and amazing arts community, a supportive community, and the energy I find appealing in a city. It will be difficult to find a place that can live up to the standards New Orleans has set, especially in those qualities, but I’m convinced that there has got to be a place that can set a new standard! Maybe it’ll be New York City, San Francisco, Austin, or Santa Fe. I’m keeping my eyes and ears open!
Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala
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So cool…I live in Bloomington and am attending Indiana University :P
I always find it so insightful and interesting, these ‘I want to be’. You have quite the collection of talented readers here!
bloomington represent!
I find it a really good comment about the “backup plan” point she made. I’m a theatre major, + lots of kids think if they just minor is business, then when their artistic career fails they’ll have a job waiting for them… and it’s really not the case. Drive drive drive is what it’s all about, anywhere!
Great ARTicle (pun!), Gala! Thanks. :)
Gosh, I was just inwardly moaning to myself about having a boring office job, when I read this and realised I don’t have so bad at all. I’m an ‘Administration Officer’ for an arts organisation. At this stage it’s more the answering phones and photocopying sort of administration, rather than the management sort, like Ashe, but how lucky am I to work in a company full of lovely, creative characters? To be able wear what ever I want to work, to laugh, play and be part of something so exciting and fun? I hear a lot of office jobs are not so fabulous. Thanks for another delicious reminder, Gala. xx
Wow, How cool are your friends? And they all have awesome names!
this sort of stuff looks great, my work experience is coming up soon and I haven’t decided what to do yet so these articles are really helping me out! Thank you!
Vixxie.
P.S did you get my poem on the last post ;)
I think I’ve been interested in this type of job for a while, and haven’t really been able to put my finger on it. So its great to hear from someone in the industry, who just happened upon it. Thanks for such interesting personal development, Gala and Ashe!
I really love these entries. They help me decided what I want to do when I get out of high school. Currently I’m a ballet dancer at a small non profit ballet company, and as much as I would love to do that forever, I can’t. Great job Gala!
A fantastic interview!
oh wow, i never knew this about you ashe! thanks gala for posing this interview… i had always wondered how you got these kinds of jobs… it’s such a cool thing to do with you life.
Ohh, rock on, Ashe! The interview and photo are fab!
I believe you can read my mind. I was thinking about this career for the longest time and didn’t know where to go or start but this advice is worth my weight in gold. Thanks Gala! This undergrad might just have finally picked her major.
Ashe! How lovely to read more into how this career opened up and evolved for you! I love this idea that administration shouldn’t be seen as a contingency plan, it is a good reminder for those of us that work with creatives, artists, fashion designers etc. It is clear that you have a true passion for supporting the arts on many levels – and I’m so proud to see you all swanky pretty here on Icing!
This is a great and wonderfully honest interview. As someone who’s worked for nonprofits for 10+ years, I must agree that the burnout factor is a very real phenom. But people like Ashe with real passion and drive can stick it out because they see value where others see hassle.
Very true comment about the ‘volunteer, volunteer, volunteer’ I spent years volunteering before I landed my first paid gallery job and it really helps by giving you a vital insight into the industry. It also shows future employers that you’re dedicated and serious about working in the arts!
Great article! I’m studying arts and business at uni next year, so this is a good insight of where I could be in a few years time. Thanks, Gala!
Her advice about volunteering would be applicable in almost any industry, I imagine. What an interesting interview.
Darren + Miss Sixty – Yay! Lots of Bloomington love to represent!
Becky Lou, I definitely feel you on the boring Administrator job often! I do lots of letter writing to donors, but you should remember that no matter how boring and meaningless it feels to you at times, it has BOUNDLESS support, meaning, and use to the organization! I’m glad to talk to someone else working in the field, though!
Liz + Linh + Aish, please feel free to get in touch with me if you ever have ANY questions about the field! I love it quite a lot, and am more than happy to impart any stories I have…
Orinoco, I definitely think you’re right about volunteering in any industry— I just know from a personal perspective that the non-profit industry NEEDS and DEPENDS on volunteers to exist on a daily basis… without volunteers and graduate students, I know the theater I worked out wouldn’t have been able to remain open! This is the case with LOTS of smaller arts organizations, so I know the need can lead to more experience and responsibility!
Crosby, Annie, Lady Coveted, Miss Corinne – Love Love Love!
Thank you all for the thoughtful comments and feedback. I love the opportunity to share my work with you all!
Gala, I can tell you how much I like your “I Want to be…” articles. I was wondering ,if at all possible, that you could write one about gymnasts or acrobats. That would be sublime.
Ashe, this is so great to read! I’ve just started a program in arts administration, and am feeling the burn around now-so great to hear such an inspiring success story!
You’re so right Ashe. I probably don’t even really know what boring means. I love that our sort of job is cool enough to be featured on ‘I Want To Be..’. I also heart the top you’re wearing in your photo. Very pretty. :)
Hey Gala…how come you keep knocking back my interview for “I Want To Be…A Receptionist?” Ha ha, I’m just kidding. What I mean to say is, thanks for continuing to inspire us to dream big, and thanks for encouraging us pursue those big dreams!
Carla x
i just want to say in general that i LOVE this series of introductions to different professions. its really inspiring and makes you think of possibilities you might not have come up with otherwise.
I have to say I haven’t been too into this series, I think it’s a wonderful idea and don’t mean to knock it at all but none of the professions have struck a chord with me personally..until this one!! I recently graduated and this is exactly what I want to do but have no idea how to go about it. Since I won’t be going to graduate school in Indiana, it is hard to find programs that feel like they can lead me into a career like this. It’s good to know that sometimes the stars align and people like Ashe (and hopefully me someday!) end up in careers they love.
Hello, i’m a first time caller long time listener, and i just wanted to thank Ashe Mischief for doing the interview and you Gala for this thoroughly informative segment. I’m a freshman this year at UCSB and am dealing with the unrelenting question thrown at me from every angle, “What do you want to do with your life?” I’ve been a long time art lover and just finished an internship at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, and reading about Ms. Mischief encourages me to dive even deeper into the art world in one way or another. thanks again!
jenni*
More Bloomington love here! I read this one extra-carefully because of the IU reprizentin’. (Gala, you would love Bloomington in all its Midwestern multi-culti charm)
I love these segments so much! This one was great – I’ve been studying design (in Sydney) and have taken a few art theory/gallery related subjects – I’ve always found the whole field really interesting. Awesome insights! Thanks Ashe + Gala!
Thankyou Gala! I have always considered this as a career option, great to find out about it more!! x