For many art students and job seekers, New York may seem overpowering — simultaneously daunting and alluring. Through Simmons's first New York Institute, 12 students were given the opportunity to explore the city and experience its cultural facets through an exhilarating but focused program.

For three weeks in June, the students lived at the 92nd Street Y in New York City's Upper East Side. This epicenter of art was home base for the students as they explored the rich history of NYC's influential artistic hub.

Designed by Joyce Cohen, director of the Arts Administration Program at Simmons, the institute exposed students to a host of career options with the help of many Simmons alumnae.

“We were shown so much of what we could do in the arts. I got to see different jobs that   I never would have known about,” said sophomore Sarah Halter '05.

Each day in New York consisted of a morning class in Central Park West, where discussions ranged from the responsibility of museums in educating the public, to the difference between arts and entertainment. Each afternoon, the group toured cultural organizations and listened to guest speakers at locations such as The Morgan Library, Christie's, the Lincoln Center, and the Metropolitan Museum.

One of the unique opportunities provided by the institute was a job shadow day that was arranged through alumnae. The job shadow locations ranged from art galleries to performing arts venues to auction houses.

The success of the institute could not have been possible without the hard work and care of alumnae such as communications instructor Sue Larocque '90 and Cathy Behrend '70. Having worked for years in the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs as deputy director, Behrend saw the institute as a unique way to combine her NYC art connections with the interests of Simmons students.

“From the sounds of enthusiasm and the energetic responses of the students, I believe they benefited from the wide range of experiences and exposures this past June. We need excellence in the field of arts administration, and I am pleased that Simmons, once again, is meeting an important professional need,” said Behrend.

Other alumnae who participated in the program were: Christine Berlane '94 of Swann Auction Galleries; Sarah Roy '99, who works in Art Advisory Services at Citigroup; Lauren Panzo '95, operations manager at Pace-Mac Gill Gallery; Kimberly Collins '99, assistant editor at Sports Illustrated Women; and Christa Garubo '91, art director of broadcast graphics at ABC Television.