Jessie is a 2014 graduate of the University of Virginia where she majored in Art History and Economics. Last year she had the opportunity to intern at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington D.C where she was a part of both the Education Department and the Special Events Department. While at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, she became interested in the intersection of art and education and hopes to broaden her knowledge of museum education and arts non-profit organizations. Though she has experience in arts education, she is eager to learn how the arts connect with other areas of the public sector- such as through marketing, public relations, development and event planning.

What attracted you to the Arts Administration Program at Teachers College, Columbia University? During my final two years at the University of Virginia, I had become incredibly active in the arts – both through internship and curriculum experiences. However, I was still at a true loss of what type of career I saw myself pursuing in the larger arts arena. I was specifically drawn towards the Arts Administration Program at Teachers College because of its crucial consideration of the business, management, fundraising and law aspects of arts organizations. However, beyond these key courses I was attracted to the ability to cater my class selection towards my own interests. And above all, I knew that I would ultimately earn two educations – one from the ARAD program and another from the city in which it resides – New York City.

How are your studies helping to advance your career goals? While practical experience is important in the field (which is why the internship requirement is so critical), I enrolled in this degree to gain an understanding of theory and best practices in arts administration. This foundation will help me impact the direction of the field in a positive way. I also wanted to strengthen my grasp on some of the more solidly “practical” skills, such as the principles of accounting.