Arts Management alumni

Bobby Lacy II

Pam Muirheid — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 15:43:06 +0000

Bobby Lacy II Pam Muirheid Tue, 10/22/2024 - 11:43

Associate Director of Green Machine Ensembles, CVPA
Alumnus, Dewberry School of Music, '16 and Arts Management Program, '21

Biography

Bobby Lacy II is a singer, songwriter, producer, professor, musician, director and award winning spoken word artist. Born in Waco, TX but made a name for himself in the DMV area as an audio visual specialist working closely with the Mayor's office in Washington DC right out of high school. After six years of working in DC he decided to make a major investment in his studies and resigned from his good government job to finish his degree at George Mason University. He was successful in completing his BA in Music Voice in 2016 and a few years later completed his Masters in Arts Management at GMU in 2021

Along the way he spent 8 years a the Director of AV Production at Alfred Street Baptist Church, responsible for managing a fast paced audio and visual production department thats services millions of worshipers monthly and designing full scale church production for various venues such as the Kennedy Center, Strathmore, Capital One Hall and Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Although his AV career took off quickly, he has found his way back to his passion of music and helping others find their voice in life. Throughout his journey he has always been a member of the Green Machine under the mentorship of Doc Nix and his time in the band developed his artistry past that of just a singer as he became the creator and director of The Green & Gold Soul and eventually Associate Director of Green Machine Ensembles where he can be a teacher, mentor, role model for the next generation of students.

Alumni Interview with Stephanie Cabacoy

Lauren Stephens — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:33:25 +0000

Alumni Interview with Stephanie Cabacoy Lauren Stephens Wed, 03/06/2024 - 09:33

Inside Arts Management: A Conversation with Stephanie Cabacoy

Stephanie Cabacoy, an Arts Management alumna, offers insight into her career path. In this interview, Stephanie shares her motivations for pursuing arts management, reflects on the experiences gained from her time at George Mason, and provides insights into the dynamic world of arts and nonprofit management.

Stephanie Cabacoy approaches all that she does with a passion for building strong meaningful relationships. As the Director of Marketing, Stephanie oversees group sales, manages the marketing and sales strategy, and serves as the main point of contact for community partnerships. Stephanie Cabacoy has masterfully heightened the American Shakespeare Center’s global presence.

In her dual roles, Stephanie, as the Interim Director of Development, takes great joy in being able to be part of the audience journey with ASC. From the patron’s first visit to their first donation to honoring and celebrating a planned gift, Stephanie takes immense pride in her commitment to community engagement. She has been instrumental in establishing partnerships with the Staunton Kindness Challenge, the Shenandoah Valley Juneteenth Organization, Mental Health of America, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Since joining ASC in 2014, she has continued to build bridges between both local and national organizations and the work being produced on the Blackfriars stage. Stephanie holds a Master of Arts in Arts Management from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Mary Baldwin University.

Q: When did you graduate and what is your current position?

Stephanie: My name is Stephanie Cabacoy from the Class of 2019; I am an alumna of George Mason University's Arts Management program and work at the American Shakespeare Center as the Director of Marketing and Interim Director of Development.

Stephanie in ASC's theater

Q: Why did you decide to study arts management and how did the program help you with your first job?

Stephanie: Since studying political science at Mary Baldwin College, now Mary Baldwin University, I have always been fascinated by nonprofit organization and their community mission-driven nature. After college, I split my time working between Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, VA, and the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, VA. After almost two years of working two part-time jobs and getting to experience working in a museum and a live theater, I aimed to consolidate my jobs. Despite facing rejection for lacking experience, my undergrad professor suggested pursuing a master’s degree and learning about arts administration. This led me to George Mason's Arts Management Graduate Program, where I explored marketing, programming, development, and finance. The program provided insights from practitioners and administrators, shaping my understanding of effective practices from working professionals in the arts administrative world. My Arts Management studies led me to my first full-time position, I loved being able to work full-time at ASC’s box office and going to school part-time because I got to bring my ASC experiences to class and share what I learned in my everyday work at ASC. In my second year I was intrigued by fundraising and board relationship management, I interned with the ASC's Development Department which then led to a full-time Development Associate position in my last year of grad school. Over five years, I progressed to Development Manager, Associate Director of Community Engagement & Group Sales, and now to my current positions as Director of Marketing and Interim Director of Development. I owe a lot of my success to the valuable education and guidance from George Mason’s Arts Management program.

Q: What projects, research, or work are you involved with in your current role(s)?

Stephanie: As the Director of Marketing at the American Shakespeare Center, my current role involves leading strategic planning and executing promotional campaigns for the current spring season. This season features Shakespeare titles like Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and the world premiere of Emma Whipday's adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. With the ASC marketing team, we segment a variety of audience communication through multiple channels. Communication outlets include e-news, social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Youtube, etc.), designed printed materials( like window cards, posters, and programs), and a mix of ads (like radio, newspaper, magazine, and TV).

Along with my marketing responsibilities, as Interim Director of Development, I am responsible for wrapping up the year-end appeal and working with the Executive Director to cultivate donor relationships to support the organization's annual fundraising goals. The development team actively engages with new donors and re-engages lapsed donors, encouraging them to come back to the playhouse for the exciting new productions.

Q: What does a typical day of work look like for you?

Stephanie: My typical day can best be described as a dynamic juggle of responsibilities that requires constant communication - and strategic delegation to ensure all facets of marketing, sales, communication, cultivation, and fundraising are effectively managed.

My Mondays always start with going to Jazzercise before heading to the office. Feeling energized, my calendar throughout the week includes collaborative meetings with multiple departments, especially with artistic, education, and Executive Director. I then take back all the information to the marketing and development team, where we create a creative brainstorming space on current and upcoming programming efforts. Topics range from upcoming social media initiatives, communication roll-out, upcoming donor cultivation initiatives, or planning promotional efforts to help keep ASC on track for both ticket and donation revenue goals. Assessing the needs of the company, I determine the priorities and projects for the week and delegate the tasks to my team to ensure we are all working towards the same goal.

Sign for Project Goodfellow's Stocking Drive

Q: What keeps you passionate about the arts and arts management?

Stephanie: What fuels my passion for arts management is the excitement of Thursday morning Student Matinees at the Blackfriars Playhouse and the rewarding aspect of community partnerships. At the start of each performance, ASC's actors deliver pre-show music featuring contemporary songs that resonate with the themes of the play, seamlessly connecting modern hits, like those from Taylor Swift, with Shakespeare's works. Witnessing students instantly feel at home and connect with the performance makes the job incredibly fulfilling.

Another source of my passion is community partnerships. Collaborating with external organizations that align with our artistic endeavors not only provides a fresh perspective but also broadens our audience base. The opportunity to shine a spotlight on another organization and utilize our platform to uplift others is a key reason why I am dedicated to working in non-profit arts organizations.

Q: Did you always grow up surrounded by the arts?

Stephanie: Growing up, I participated in Filipino folk dancing with the Philippine Cultural Center School of Creative and Performing Arts in VA Beach. We participated in various community events and festivals, performing traditional Philippine folk dances. After our performances, we would invite the audience to join us in learning the dances. Witnessing diverse groups of people coming together to learn and dance created a strong sense of community. The positive impact of fostering unity through art has always remained a profound and inspiring aspect of my journey, reinforcing my dedication to the arts and arts management. The joy of sharing cultural experiences and building connections through artistic expression continues to drive my passion in the field.

Q: What is something you wish you had known when you first started the program?

Stephanie: As I reflect on my journey in the program, I have realized the importance of being flexible and open to change. The challenges posed by events like the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the unpredictability of circumstances, and emphasized the need for adaptability and a willingness to adjust plans on short notice. I have learned that the best-laid plans may require modification at any moment, which has been a crucial aspect of my learning experience.

In addition, given the financial difficulties faced by many theaters and non-profit organizations, I now understand the significance of having a diverse skill set. If I could offer advice to my past self, I would stress the importance of taking more electives during the program. Building a broad knowledge base equips you with the versatility needed to navigate a variety of challenges and makes you adaptable to any situation that may arise in the dynamic landscape of arts and non-profit management.

Q: What do you tell people an “Arts Manager” does?

Stephanie: Arts Managers are the unsung heroes of the arts world, providing essential support to help artistic endeavors thrive. They're the ones who navigate the tricky terrain of funding, logistics, and organizational management to ensure the success and growth of creative projects. By aligning artistic visions with the needs of the community, Arts Managers create a beautiful relationship that enriches cultural experiences and helps to strengthen the social fabric.

In a nutshell, an Arts Manager is like a community connector who weaves together the threads of cultural exchange and collaboration. They're the backbone of the arts world, keeping it vibrant and alive for all of us to enjoy.

Find American Shakespeare Center on Instagram!

Photos by October Grace Media

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Arts Management News

Arts Management Alumna, inspired by capstone project, adds Free Little Art Gallery to community!

Lauren Stephens — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 16:11:02 +0000

Arts Management Alumna, inspired by capstone project, adds Free Little Art Gallery to community! Lauren Stephens Thu, 02/15/2024 - 11:11

In This Story

Stacey Schwartz

Jennifer Rosenfeld

Victoria Salmon

Stacey Schwartz, AMGT ’23, brought her capstone research project to life when she opened a Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG) in her community.

FLAGs are similar to free little libraries; they contain free pieces of miniature art that is created by community members and meant to be exchanged.

Close up of FLAG with various community artworks.

Stacey has worked either with or for arts organizations throughout her career including Washington Performing Arts, Arlington Arts, and WETA. Currently, she is the digital strategist for the Center for the Arts and Hylton Performing Arts Center at George Mason University, where she combines her interests in both the arts and technology. Stacey is also the new Board Chair for the Educational Theater Company in Arlington, VA.

While completing her MA in Arts Management at Mason, Stacey read a Washington Post article about a Free Little Art Gallery in Seattle, Washington, which inspired her capstone research project. She noticed that early in the pandemic, the galleries were serving as community builders both for the people local to the gallery and those following along online, like Stacey. As time went on, the galleries started acting as strong marketing tools for artists. Stacey encourages all artists who leave art in her gallery to leave their Instagram handle or other contact information so they can be properly recognized for their contributions.

Close up of miniature art depicting a fish by Casey Wait (Instagram: @caseywaitart)

Her background as a digital strategist helped her get the free little art gallery off the ground. When first starting the gallery, she followed other galleries and artists from the gallery’s Instagram page. She also reached out to artists directly inviting them to drop off work. Stacey notes that one artist regularly uses the gallery to test out new work and new mediums. When artists drop off new pieces, Stacey uploads photos of the work to the gallery’s Instagram @freelittleartgallery_arlington. Once the photos are uploaded, anyone is free to come by and take the art home! Stacey encourages anybody to come by and take art left in the gallery, whether you have something to add yourself or not.

At the end of January this year, Stacey worked with a local community member to install a geocache, which has expanded the gallery's reach greatly. Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity where participants use their GPS to find hidden containers called geocaches. Additionally, Stacey has received miniature art in the mail from arts all over the United States and recently received her first international piece from an artist and FLAG owner in Australia.

Q: Why did you decide to study arts management?

Stacey: I have focused on digital platforms and the arts throughout my career, and I was ready to see the bigger picture. Many of my colleagues had gone through the program here at Mason and were so enthusiastic that it seemed like the perfect next step (and it was!).

Q: What keeps you passionate about the arts and arts management?

Stacey: I was fortunate to work for organizations like WPA and WETA early on in my career, where I was exposed daily to the profound impacts of the arts on people’s lives. This really laid the foundation for me in terms of working for mission-driven arts organizations. This really hit home during the pandemic and was such a good reminder of why I love working in the arts. It was so rewarding to offer programming and community to patrons when they needed it the most. The pandemic was a major setback for arts organizations, but I think it was also a time to reset and I am so inspired by artists and performers who are working to build back together.

Q: How did the arts management program help you in your career?

Stacey: The arts management program has opened up SO many new doors for me both professionally and personally. Gaining an overall sense of the field helps me better understand the needs of my colleagues. Additionally, I have been working closely with Dr. Salmon and the capstone students to help prepare them for graduation. Teaching has always been something that I would like to pursue, and the arts management program has gotten me one step closer. On a personal level, the knowledge that I gained from the program gave me the confidence to accept the position of board chair of the Educational Theater Company. And finally, the program is the reason that I started my Free Little Art Gallery, which has connected me to artists both locally and nationally (and internationally). My arts management background helped me understand how to use this tool successfully to build and strengthen my community. Completing the program has truly been the highlight of my career.

The FLAG installed in the community.

Stacey is working with AMGT internship coordinator Jennifer Rosenfeld to offer a summer internship with her FLAG. You can hear Stacey talk more about her career and the Little Art Gallery here on the Embracing Arlington Arts podcast!

The Embracing Arlington Arts mission is to advance the vibrancy and health of the arts and culture in Arlington, and beyond through advocacy and awareness programs, outreach initiatives and projects that enhance equitable access to the arts and cultural environment.

Embracing Arlington Arts achieves their mission through three primary strategies: inform others about the importance and diversity of the arts, artists and arts organizations in our community; spearhead initiatives that maintain and grow the County’s cultural identity; and spread the word about the diverse performance and cultural events held in Arlington.

Follow Stacey's Free Little Art Gallery (@freelittleartgallery_arlington) on Instagram!

Start your own journey and learn more about the Arts Management Program!

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College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) Arts Management Program

Arts Management Alumni Group Hosts Summer Social with Adjuncts!

Eric Thornton — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 18:10:23 +0000

Arts Management Alumni Group Hosts Summer Social with Adjuncts! Eric Thornton Thu, 06/17/2021 - 14:10

Join the Arts Management (AMGT) Alumni Working Group as they host an Adjunct Summer Social!

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AMGT Alumni will have a chance to meet and hear from new and returning adjuncts teaching for the program. This event is a great opportunity to reconnect with old mentors and make new connections across the arts field. The AMGT Program relies on adjunct faculty to bring the everyday, practical management knowledge future arts leaders will need to run arts organizations!

On June 23rd from 6:30-8:00pm ET, Adjunct Faculty Richard Kamenitzer, Eileen Kennedy, Mary Margaret Schoenfeld, and Carla J. Thomas McGinnis (alumni) will be joining alumni over Zoom!

Email amgtgmu@gmu.edu for details on how to register.

To receive the latest in alumni news and activity update your alumni profile today!

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Arts Management News

Christina Papaniclou

Pam Muirheid — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 17:14:56 +0000

Christina Papaniclou Pam Muirheid Tue, 02/09/2021 - 12:14

Biography

Tell us about yourself.

I am a first generation American with parents from Greece and Hong Kong. I have my MFA in painting and critical theory from Central Saint Martins in London. I have lived in New York City for most of my life where I founded E.TAY Gallery, a contemporary art space for recent graduate students. 

Why did you choose Arts Management at Mason?

I chose Arts Management at Mason because I wanted to pivot my career towards a nonprofit mission. After teaching myself the basics of running a gallery, I was inspired to go back to school to gain practical knowledge in budgeting, marketing, and development. Mason's course descriptions seemed to fit that mold. 

What makes you passionate about the arts?

I could never imagine my life without being immersed in the arts. I was voted "most artistic" in my high school yearbook, and then went on to receive my undergraduate degree in Studio Art. I have always surrounded myself with artists because we are able to respond to, influence, and uplift society in a way that no other sector or industry can. 

What area of arts management are you interested in and why?

I am interested in project management or exhibition coordination for the visual arts. I love working with artists directly to help them achieve their vision and goals.

What is your favorite art activity in the area and why?

My current favorite art activity relates to a project I am working on outside of school. I help an artist coordinate public dialogues that address the intersection between artistic practice and activism. At these events, we invite local grassroots activist organizations to mingle with our crowd to inspire action towards social justice issues. 

What was a favorite project or class you've had and why?

My favorite class was Museum Management with Professor Claire Huschle. It was a summer course in which we discussed contemporary issues within the sector. We had to opportunity to visit several museums and meet professionals in the field. Some of the museums we visited were The National Museum of the American Indian, the Hirschhorn, and Glenstone. This course inspired my Capstone project, which focuses on what it means to "decolonize" a museum.

Tanya Dieudonné

Pam Muirheid — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 17:02:16 +0000

Tanya Dieudonné Pam Muirheid Tue, 02/09/2021 - 12:02

2020, Arts Management, MA

Contact Information

2020, Arts Management, MA

Biography

Why did you choose Arts Management at Mason?  

I began my research of this program five years ago when I was still planning out my future career goals and wondering if I want to further my education. I remember applying for the program back in 2018 and receiving the acceptance after my work shift at Target. What caught my attention with the Arts Management program was unique courses, and how each one of these courses was dedicated to the students to go ventured into the DC area and explore an arts organization. 

What makes you passionate about the arts? 

I have always been passionate about the arts (both visual and performing). Although, my art experience flourish when I first visited the Ringling Museum with my art history class at Florida Southwestern State College, where I was fascinated by the elaborate artworks from the European artists like Artemisia Gentileschi and Peter Paul Reubens. Just seeing artworks from the Renaissance to the Early Modern, and learning about the different art techniques over the years has piqued my interest.  

What area of arts management are you interested in and why? 

The area of arts management that is interesting to me are development and fundraising, and special events. With development and fundraising, you get to understand the pyramid of giving and what certain fundraising methods would be beneficial for your organization, also cultivating a relationship with donors. And with special events, you will be able to apply the practices to coordinate a well-rounded event and tackle the challenges to accommodate the guest.  

What is your favorite art activity in the area and why? 

My favorite art activity would have to be attending the First Friday at Dupont Circle because you can visit galleries in the area and view artworks from local or international arts. Also, the event is a perfect way to network.  

What was a favorite project or class you had and why? 

My favorite project or class would have to the Festival and Tourism class with Dr. Karalee Dawn McKay. Her class was so exciting because you get the opportunity to attend events like the annual Scottish festival. Furthermore, we got to have a meeting with a representative at the European Union Embassay and volunteer at one or several local arts organization’s events for our final project. It was also at this class where Dr. McKay would discuss the Ireland study abroad trip for the summer of 2020 in which I will be attending as my final course with the Arts Management program.  

About Tanya: 

Tanya is originally from Port Charlotte, Florida, where she did most of her education and participated in various organizations. Florida Southwestern State College was where she received her Associate’s in Arts degree and held officer positions in the Student Government Association and Delta Psi Omega (Theater Production), also worked as a student ambassador for the college. She then transferred to the University of South Florida to obtain her Bachelor’s in Humanities degree with a minor in Classics while engaging in organizations like Humanities & Cultural Studies Organization and USF Quidditch sports team. During her studies, Tanya had the opportunity to study abroad in the summer of 2014 to London and Paris on political culture. 

In 2018, Tanya got accepted into the Arts Management graduate program at George Mason University and will be finishing her graduate studies in Spring 2020. During her arts management journey, she has volunteered twice at Arts By George event and intern in the summer of 2019 at Provisions/Mason Exhibition with the university curator, Donald Russell, as a gallery exhibition intern. Also, she is involved with organizations like  Mason Mural Brigade and Arts Administrators of Color Network. Lastly, she became the graduate research assistant for Fenwick Gallery to improve her curatorial skills by assisting the gallery manager in working closely with local artists and the fine arts students of the university to curate their artworks. 

Natalie Gelbvaks

khanse2 — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 21:55:05 +0000

Natalie Gelbvaks khanse2 Fri, 01/29/2021 - 16:55

2020, Arts Management, MA

Biography

Tell us about yourself.

Natalie Gelbvaks is a graduate student at the College of Visual and Performing Arts, pursuing her master’s degree in Arts Management. Born in Beer-Sheva, Israel she relocated to Brazil at 6 years old where she was raised and obtained her high school diploma at A.Liessin Scholem Aleichem and Bachelor’s degree in Social Communications at Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio).

Why did you choose Arts Management at Mason?

I have always been passionate about the Arts, specifically the performing arts, and I had opportunities back in Brazil to perform with choirs, Musical Theatre and solo. However, I also have always enjoyed the behind the scenes of the arts, making me want to study Arts Management to gain more knowledge about the field. The reason I have chosen Mason was because when I came to visit the University I could see myself here. Also, I was amazed by all the art in D.C and thought it would be great to learn about Arts Management in this location.

What makes you passionate about the arts?

I believe the arts have many "powers". To heal, to engage, to give some piece to people. For me, personally, that's what singing is. It helps me to breathe better, have a better posture and feel happy! I love going to a concert and see the audience singing along to the singers, for example. I believe this is the power arts have, it just makes us feel better.

What area of arts management are you interested in and why?

I really enjoy marketing for the arts, producing and event planning. I believe those roles require good communication skills, being outgoing, being proactive, having a good time management and I believe I could be good at it. It would be fun to use creativity on a daily-basis.

What is your favorite art activity in the area and why?

Singing and seeing other people sing. I have been studying singing for 10 years and I absolutely love it! I have always loved musicals and that's the reason I decided to study singing, because I wanted to sing like the Disney princesses. Overall, it really makes me happy. I used to love doing my classes first thing in the morning because I knew the rest of my day would be awesome because my energy was so high!.

What was a favorite project or class you had and why?

A favorite project was a Marketing assignment. I had to do a Marketing plan for the musical "The Band's visit". It was really special because first of all, it's a musical and I love it. Second of all, the story is set in Israel, where I was born and they even speak and sing in Hebrew a little bit. The ironic part is that I chose it randomly, out of a basket, and I got this one. It was perfect for me.

Mason alumna helps bring history to life

Pam Muirheid — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 15:39:12 +0000

Mason alumna helps bring history to life Pam Muirheid Thu, 12/03/2020 - 10:39

Carla McGinnis outside the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Photo by Ron Aira/George Mason University Creative Services

When Carla Thomas McGinnis, MA Arts Management ’13, visited her doctor’s office for a routine appointment, she wasn’t expecting to get more than a clean bill of health—instead, she left with a lead on a potential job, when her doctor suggested she look into the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan. That tip led to her first job out of college, as the museum’s living history project coordinator.

“Working at a museum was not on my radar at all,” she says. But the job proved to be a perfect fusion that pulled from McGinnis’s undergraduate studies in African American history and her personal love of theater. At the museum, McGinnis created productions in which actors brought to life a moment in history for attendees. “When [living history] is done right…it excites people. It brings another level of engagement to it and fun…just an emotional connection that you can start seeing how history affects people personally with their families.”

After seeing firsthand the 2008 economic recession’s impact on the museum’s funding, McGinnis began to contemplate returning to school—and she ended up finding Mason. The Arts Management Program caught her eye because of its focus on the artist as well as business management. “They were a program that [emphasized] how to do arts management without sacrificing the artist—letting the artist and the art lead and the administrator being the support for that. And that was speaking my language.”

While in the program, McGinnis volunteered at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) a few times a week, where yet another moment of serendipity led to a job after graduation. “I reconnected with an old classmate who worked there who recommended I apply,” McGinnis says, crediting fellow alumna Natalie Holmes, MA Arts Management ’12, for helping her find her first position at the museum as a program specialist. McGinnis now works as the assistant director of council operations and museum initiatives.

McGinnis has been there for some special moments in the NMAAHC’s young history, including the dedication ceremonies in 2016 attended by Barack and Michelle Obama, George W. and Laura Bush, Oprah Winfrey, and—McGinnis’s personal favorite—Ruth Odom Bonner, whose father was enslaved. Four generations of Bonner’s family, along with the Obamas, joined Ruth in ringing the bell to officially mark the museum’s opening.

And with the nation’s current reckoning with racism, McGinnis stresses the museum’s importance even in the middle of a pandemic. “The museum has always been looked at as a leader in how we can talk about race and social justice,” she says. “[Museums] can be the center of a community, and that’s what I’m seeing our museum being right now. It’s a congregating site for people who are protesting…people [are] in front of the museum kneeling and taking a stand in many ways…It’s been really gratifying to see how the museum is still playing this role when we can’t be inside.”

McGinnis is well aware of her career field’s lack of representation for people of color. “I discovered how hard it is for people of color to get leadership roles in fundraising at organizations. There is a stigma or belief that ‘Oh, they don’t know the people with the deep pockets,’ or ‘They don’t have the right accent; they don’t present in a certain way…’ I’ve just become more aware of the landscape of fundraising and what African American fundraisers face.”

“What I’m left with right now is just an appreciation for…what doors I could open through my affiliation with [Mason’s] program. I’m grateful because…it helped me get experience that has allowed me to have this kind of career, and I don’t take that for granted.”

This story originally ran in the fall 2020 Mason Spirit.

Arts Management Graduate Student Christina Papanicolaou Helps Organize COVID-19 Focused Arts Town Hall for D.C.-Area Non-profits

Pam Muirheid — Tue, 12 May 2020 15:14:29 +0000

Arts Management Graduate Student Christina Papanicolaou Helps Organize COVID-19 Focused Arts Town Hall for D.C.-Area Non-profits Pam Muirheid Tue, 05/12/2020 - 11:14

Christina Papanicolaou

On April 14, hundreds of artists and arts managers throughout the D.C. area joined together online, for a COVID-19 town hall focused on arts—the D.C. Metro Virtual Town Hall: Strategies for Survival in the Arts—organized by the Third Space Network. Panels of art leaders, policy makers, curators, and artists lined up to share resources, answer questions, and support the vibrant arts community in the midst of a global pandemic. Managing the chat and communications for the massive event was George Mason Arts Management Graduate Student Christina Papanicolaou.

Papanicolaou is a first generation American with parents from Greece and Hong Kong. Before joining the master’s degree program, she earned an MFA in painting and critical theory from Central Saint Martins in London. In addition to being an artist, Papanicolaou lived in New York City for most of her life where she founded E.TAY Gallery, a contemporary art space for recent graduate students. Her dual identity as artist and manager makes her acutely aware of the crisis that COVID-19 is creating for local artists and arts organizations.

Randal Packer, Third Space Network founder, explains the motive for this event: “The D.C. Metro Virtual Town Hall was an effort to unite the arts community in the D.C. Area around a collective response to the crisis we now find ourselves in. For this event, we organized speakers from funding organizations to provide timely information to the arts community regarding much needed financial support. Since for a number of years, the Third Space Network has been active in organizing international online arts events, we felt a responsibility to lend our expertise to providing a cathartic gathering for the local arts community.”

Mason’s Arts Management (AMGT) office spoke with Papanicolaou (virtually) to gain insight into her involvement with Third Space Network, the takeaways from the town hall, and how her experience in Mason’s Arts Management Program has played a role in her organization of the event.

AMGT: What is Third Space Network and how are you involved?

CP: I serve as the Communications Strategist for Third Space Network, the organizer of this project, and manage the creation and marketing of content and event communications. Third Space Network, a new creative project by artist Randall Packer is best described on our website as “an artist-driven Internet platform for staging creative dialogue, live performance and uncategorizable activisms: social empowerment through the act of becoming our own broadcast media.” With previous projects including public dialogs and events encouraging collaboration in the arts, Third Space was uniquely positioned to develop and support the town hall.

AMGT: What AMGT classes helped you prepare for and make this event a success?

CP: At Mason, I enrolled in courses such as PR/Marketing in the Arts, Arts and Society, and Arts Advocacy, Agencies, and Associations, which aided me in organizing the event alongside Packer. In Arts and Society, students learn early on that the production of art is far more than just the product of an individual artist: it requires a vast network of people who play equally essential roles. To make this event a success, Packer and I had to provide a centralized platform for diverse members of the visual arts ecosystem, such as arts commissioners, gallery directors, communications strategists, and curators.

AMGT: What are the key takeaways that artists and arts managers can use from this town hall?

CP: As speakers recommended survival strategies for artists and arts spaces during the Virtual Town Hall, I provided links and resources within the live chat space. After the event, I aggregated and published the chat on the Third Space Network website, so that artists and culture workers could refer to it at their convenience.

Some of these resources include: Americans for the Arts’ Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource and Response Center; CARES Act Grant Programs provided by the National Endowment for the Arts; and the Washington Project for the Art’s Wherewithall Recovery Grants for visual artists in the DC Area. For the full list of resources, visit Third Space Network: Edited Resource Chat.

Naturally, the next question is what’s next for Papanicolaou and Third Space Network? Set to graduate from George Mason’s Arts Management Master’s Program later this month, Papanicolaou will continue to play an integral part in more Virtual Town Halls with Third Space Network.

With the resounding success of the first town hall, Third Space Network is hosting a follow-up town hall, “Strategies for Survival in the Arts.” All artists and arts managers are invited to attend this free virtual event on Tuesday, May 12th at 6pm. Artist and arts managers will again have access to top area arts leaders from galleries, creative entrepreneurs, curators, and art centers to find creative solutions to Covid-19’s impact on local artists.

To find more information, visit Third Space Network’s website, Instagram account, and Facebook page.

Arts Management Alumni in Conversation with CVPA Dean Rick Davis

Pam Muirheid — Tue, 12 May 2020 15:08:26 +0000

Arts Management Alumni in Conversation with CVPA Dean Rick Davis Pam Muirheid Tue, 05/12/2020 - 11:08

See More Information About This Series

Alumni from Mason’s Arts Management Program joined the Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Rick Davis. as part of new virtual programming #MasonArtsAtHome. Part of an ongoing series of Alumni Cocktails and Conversations, the topic this week was New Realities in the Business of the Arts. Each participant shared some of the important work and personal reflections for the moment, focused on the lasting impact Covid-19 on artists and arts organizations.

Participants:
Hilary Judis (Arts Management)
Location: Washington, DC
Director of Marketing and Communications, Studio Theatre

Erika Scott (Arts Management)
Location: Washington, DC
Artistic Programming Manager, Ford’s Theatre

Carla Thomas McGinnis (Arts Management)
Location: Washington, DC
Assistant Director of Council Operations and Museum Initiatives
National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution

Emily Travis ( Arts Management)
Location: New York, NY
Marketing Manager, Theater Development Fund

Jenn Harris (School of Theater)
Location: Washington, DC
General Manager, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company