As an arts administrator, I am often asked why I chose arts administration. Is it because I’m an avid art collector, a former artist, haphazardly ended up here? I always answer with, “Well, I used to dance.” You know, ballet, tap, jazz, modern. For over 15 years, I spent my evenings and weekends in tights and a leotard, doing homework and eating dinner in the hallways of my local dance studio.
As I got older, I competed at local, regional and national dance competitions up and down the East Coast. I still remember the feeling of dancing my heart out in practice and my dance teacher shouting “Again!” over the loud, thumping music. I remember feeling like I was going to pass out — not just because I was tired but because I was filled to the very brim with love and passion for what I was doing.
However, at about year 13, I realized that although I loved dance and often referred to it as "my passion,” I knew I wasn’t going to make a career out of it. You wouldn’t catch me on Broadway or in the newest, hottest music video or performing on stage at the VMAs.
Nope. I realized that I would head off to college with no idea as to what I really wanted to do, and that’s exactly what happened.
For years, I fumbled my way through courses at my local community college, moved out on my own, worked on a measly $2.13 an hour plus tips to pay rent. Don’t get me wrong, it was some of the best and most fun years of my life, but I was always looking for that feeling — the feeling I got that day during dance practice. Always looking for that passion.
At the age of 23, I started to get worried. Many of my friends who went straight into a four-year university after high school were on their way to receiving their Bachelors degree and starting their careers. Although I enjoyed my years in the restaurant industry, it’s not where I wanted to be or what I wanted for a career. I wanted to find a new passion, so this is what I did:
1. Recognize your greatness and be proud of it.
Be proud of where you are right now. Recognize your accomplishments, no matter how small they may be. I realized that at the age of 23, I had a really great apartment, great friends and family. Although I didn’t want to make a career out of waiting tables, it was a hard job, bringing new challenges every day and not everyone could do it, but I could and that was something to be proud of. I was excited about making a change and that right there was something to be proud of. The last thing you want to do is be down on yourself when you go searching for your new passion. Remember, you must put out positivity to receive it.
2. Think about what you like to do, what makes you happy.
Is it being outside? Animals? Writing? Children? Is there a particular cause that you enjoy advocating for? Make a list of what makes you happy as well as the things that you enjoy doing.
3. Google
Take those things that make you happy and Google them. You will be surprised as to what comes up. This is exactly what I did. Even though I stopped dancing many years before, I still loved dance and that love grew into a love for all arts. I started to Google “art jobs” and “behind the scene arts.” I even remember searching, “Who works at an arts organization?” Everywhere I looked, the title “arts administrator” kept popping up! I had never even heard of arts administration or even realized that it was a viable career. This changed my life.
4. Go for it!
For me, once I discovered Arts Administration and read all about the different career opportunities, I was sold. My next steps were to search for colleges and universities that offered programs in this particular field. (Go UMass Amherst!)
Although I am very pro-higher ed, I understand that that may not be the journey for everyone. Don’t stop there. Look out into your community and find ways in which you can get involved. Volunteer, start your own group, club or organization. Reach out to people in your aspiring field and pick their brain. This may lead to more opportunities, ideas, inspiration and future goals.
5. Stay inspired, stay passionate.
Years later, now in my career as an arts administrator at a performing arts organization, I’m still looking for ways to be inspired, to stay inspired. I am active in the arts in my local community and this directly and positively reflects back into my work life. I have found myself in one big circle of inspiration where my professional and personal experiences inspire and motivate one another. I have found a new passion, inspired by an old one.
