Future Arts Leaders Travel to New York
Ten College of Fine Arts students, two students from the College of Communication and the Asst. Coordinator for Fine Arts Career Services braved hurricane force winds and massive flight delays to participate in the third annual Arts Administration New York Seminar over spring break. The twelve students visited The Public aTheater, BMI, Inc., the Guggenheim Museum, Flux Factory, Signature Theatre, Creative Capital and Symphony Space to discuss career options in arts administration. Students also participated in two optional site visits with College of Fine arts alums Thomas Heflin, DMA, 2009, and Katie Archer, BFA, Studio Art, 2002.
This year’s seminar had several firsts. A number of site visit hosts, including individuals from The Public Theater, the Guggenheim Museum, and Signature Theater, were alums of The University of Texas at Austin. It was exciting for the students to meet with individuals that had once been in their shoes trying to make the same career decisions. Alberto Gonzalez, BFA, Studio Art, 2010, stated, “…it was valuable for me to hear from an alumnus who has experienced and worked in areas that I desire (to work in) as well.” Another first was the networking reception held at The German Consulate. In addition to the stunning views of the East River, students were able to network with current and former seminar participants, site visit hosts and members of the New York Texas Exes. Finally, Matrex Kilgore, BA Theatre & Dance, 2011, ate his first hot dog.
At each site visit, students were given an overview of the various job responsibilities employees held and how their work contributed to the success of the organization. A common thread in each visit was the way in which staff members found a way to incorporate his or her education in and passion for the visual or performing arts into their administrative career. In addition, the supportive work environment provided them the motivation to continue to practice and refine their own craft. Seminar participant Chance Ramirez, BFA Studio Art, 2010, said “As an artist about to graduate into a decidedly uncertain job climate, I want most to be able to continue making art while beginning a career I can be equally as passionate about.”
In addition to a supportive environment, the enthusiasm and camaraderie exhibited by the individuals at each organization was an inspiration to the students. The two visits that impacted Lauren Bringle, BA Art History, 2010, the most were The Public Theater and Symphony Space. “…I was attracted by the obvious camaraderie and recurrent interaction among the staff. Everyone in these companies seemed passionate about their job… ” Chance noted, “Our visits to … Signature Theatre and BMI … were inspiring because of the obvious amount of pleasure the people there had in working with each other and for their organization.”
The most valuable aspect of the seminar, though, were the insights gained by the students. Sofia Ruiz, BA Theatre & Dance, 2010, and Austin Critics Circle nominee, discovered she did not want to move to NYC and instead is moving to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career. As Lauren Slater, BA Music, 2011, observed: “The opportunity to participate in the New York Seminar taught me, among other things, that a degree in the arts provides more opportunities than one might originally be aware. While they warned us of the difficulties associated with becoming successful in the industry, each speaker inspired us to strive for our dreams and desires.”
The New York Seminar is hosted by the Texas Exes in collaboration with several colleges including the College of Fine Arts. This was the seventh year for the NY Seminar Program.
Fine Arts Career Services would like to thank each organization and alumnus for generously donating their time and knowledge. If you are interested in hosting a site visit in 2011, please contact Ann McNair, Fine Arts Career Services Coordinator, at annmcnair@austin.utexas.edu. More information on the NY Seminar program is available at http://www.newyorktexasexes.org/seminar/index.html.
