Interview is edited for length and clarity.
What drew you to the study of arts administration?
When I started at Simmons, the arts administration undergraduate program was the first of its kind in the country. I was attracted to it because of its range of possibilities. In high school, I was always creative, doing theater, writing, and I loved English. I knew I wanted to study something creative and be active in the art scene.
The practical side of my brain told me to find a major that could translate into a stable career and be exciting, and that is what arts administration was for me. The program allowed me to be creative and think deeply about human expression as well as how to budget time and resources within an organization.
What impact did attending a women-centered institution have on your education?
It felt safe at Simmons, of course, physically, but also emotionally and intellectually. I was able to truly express myself in the classroom and feel respected among my peers. We supported each other. It’s quite a unique environment, and I cherish it still. It honestly felt so natural for me.
It made me appreciate those types of spaces more. Now, when I work with younger people, I have an instinct to connect with and mentor them. I give whatever I can back to the community because of my exposure to the arts and the mentorships I was able to get in college. Simmons is in the middle of the city, so I think that while I did attend a women-centered institution and had women in my classrooms, I still felt like I was in a diverse population. Once I left the classroom, I was in the Boston metropolitan area and had so many places to explore and find opportunities.
How did studying abroad influence your college experience?
I was able to study in Florence, Italy. As an arts administration student, I wanted to see the birthplace of the Renaissance and live amongst the art I would be studying. It was daunting to show up at the airport and go to a country where I did not know anyone. I remember it being a really different type of experience for me since I was operating in a school setting to obtain credits, but I was also navigating how to live on my own in a foreign country.
I was lucky to have a roommate with whom I am still friends to this day. I was able to live literally surrounded by inspiration in architecture, food, and fashion. Every one of my senses was activated. I remember being so grateful to be surrounded by such beauty and inspiration. As an art student, it couldn't get better than that.
Did you have a favorite course at Simmons? Why?
There was a summer course, with Professor Barbara O’Brien, that took roughly 20 arts administration students to New York City for a month. We lived at the 92nd Street YMCA. Our coursework consisted of exposure to the New York City art scene. We experienced all types of art spaces, jumping between museums, galleries, nonprofits, dance performances, and studio spaces.
We talked to all different types of people who supported our ecosystem as a way to expose us to opportunities and ideas for what we could do with our degrees. It was by far the most meaningful experience I had as a student, because it was also where I was exposed to the role of a museum curator. I had no idea that there were people who organized exhibitions or installations and interpreted works of art.
I remember meeting a curator who took my class to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where we got a tour and could also ask about her job as a curator. I learned about her career, she told us about how she got to this role, and I just remember thinking to myself that was what I wanted to do.
What advice would you give someone interested in studying the arts?
Gain some experience in the field, in addition to studying and coursework. Much of the day-to-day happenings in the art world come from managing interpersonal relationships and being able to collaborate and communicate effectively to build consensus within a larger organization.
When it comes to networking with alumni and new people in my career, I find it important to physically go to places where there are interesting people. There is only so much that can be done through email or networking sites. Meeting people in person in an environment where there are shared experiences is most beneficial.
Whether I am there to listen to a speaker or participate in a program, I find that those events are where I can naturally break the ice, and it makes approaching people much easier. Personally, I do not attend networking-specific events. In my field, it's more about going to openings of exhibitions, going to programs, and doing research. Just showing up to support someone builds camaraderie.