Master of Arts in Arts Administration

Description of the video:

Prior to coming to the MAAA program at IU, I was performing and mostly I was teaching percussion. I made the decision to transition from being a performer to becoming an administrator because I love supporting artists and creating opportunities for them. The MAAA program really served as like a foundation for how I approach my work on a day-to-day basis. As the Executive Director of Washington Concert Opera, I am the main fundraiser. I provide program support for our operas. I oversee a lot of our marketing initiatives as well as our operations. I have always wanted to support artists and I did want to become an administrator but I never thought that I would aspire to be an executive director. The program really showed me everything that I was capable of. I think the MAAA program prepared me to manage by showing me how important it is to consider everyone who's impacted by your decisions. What makes O'Neill special is the fact that it is holistic. When it comes to public management, arts administration truly has a home in the O'Neill school. I would describe the O'Neill faculty and staff as incredibly helpful and supportive, and just priceless in terms of the experience that they have as leaders of organizations, former grant makers, executive directors, program directors, all coming back to the university to provide the expertise that they've developed in the field. As an aspiring arts administrator, being in Bloomington gives you a lot of access to learn from a variety of different cultural organizations. Not only does the local government provide a lot of support for the culture of the area, but they work really well with the university to create a thriving arts community. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to see the arts thrive. If you care and you want to be on the front lines supporting art forms then this is the program for you.