Internship Spotlight: Carson Simpson at the American Ballet Theatre

Internships play a crucial role in shaping a career in arts administration, providing hands-on experience and valuable insight into the inner workings of cultural institutions. In this interview, Carson Simpson shares his experience as a Major Gifts/Donor Relations Intern at American Ballet Theatre (ABT), where he worked closely with both the Major Gifts and Membership departments. Read on for the full interview with MA Arts Administration student, Class of 2025, Carson Simpson

1. Could you provide an overall of your internship and the organization you are working with?

In the fall, I had the opportunity to work at American Ballet Theatre as the Major Gifts/ Donor Relations Intern. This internship sat in both the Major Gifts and Membership departments and gave me a better sense of development in a nonprofit organization.

2. What does a typical day look like during your internship?

My internship was 4 days a week, and a typical day started by checking in with my mentor and discussing the tasks we had to complete for that day. A large part of my internship was database management and donor prospecting research. Additionally, we would have a meeting once a week with our intern cohort and speak with leaders from American Ballet Theatre from both the artistic and executive branches. I appreciated hearing from all the different departments, as it opened my eyes to even more possibilities within the Arts administration world. 

3. Were there any key projects or assignments during the internship?

Along with my daily tasks, I had two main projects between the major gifts and the membership departments. On the membership side, I assisted with the fall season ticket orders from American Ballet Theatre’s members to the David H. Koch Theater. Once these ticket orders were complete, I then logged the order, including the section, ticket price, quantity, and member level. At the end of ABT’s fall season, I compiled a season ticket report that broke down what ballet and specific show ticket sales were the highest and what ticket section ABT’s members ordered from the most. This will help give ABT an idea of what holds were used the most and a sense of members’ seating preferences for future seasons. I enjoyed finding trends within this data, including seeing if the casting of particular dancers affected the overall ticket sales. 

For the major gifts department, I help compile information on ticket buyers throughout the season to see if previous gift-giving falls in line with the mission of ABT. It was interesting to look at previous giving history and to find individuals who valued and wanted to support the arts.

4. Based on your experience, what guidance would you offer our students seeking internships in the related organization?

Lots of things! First and foremost, be vocal about your career goals. It’s hard to be pointed in the right direction if no one knows where you want to go. Meet with people you find interesting in the organization and listen to their stories. The path to art administration isn’t always direct, and it is so interesting to hear how people acquire skills and how they apply them now to their career in arts administration. Come in with an open mind! There are so many different jobs within the arts administration sector. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and take time to appreciate how the work you’re doing is contributing to the bigger picture. 

5. How has this internship shaped your understanding of the art industry, and what skills have you found most valuable?

This internship really opened my eyes to the unsung heroes in development. Their work and connections are often tricky to navigate, but without their expertise, the organization couldn’t create and present the art. I enjoyed seeing how the artistic and executive branches at American Ballet Theatre come together and work simultaneously. The skills I found most valuable were my listening skills and my people skills. On the nights when I worked the membership table, members would come up multiple nights in a row just to chat, which taught me the importance of listening and connecting. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the numbers and the work, but at the end of the day, the arts are about connecting and being able to share that experience. 

6. What was something surprising about your experience that you didn’t know before?    

Something surprising I learned about arts administration is how we are really in the business of people. Whether I was working the membership table talking to members, sitting in weekly meetings, or collaborating with my mentors and fellow interns, the conversations almost always centered around the love of the art form and how we can share this with even more people. 

Personal Bio:

Carson Simpson graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa, double majoring in Dance and Interdepartmental Studies, with a focus on Business and Arts Management. While at Iowa, Carson was an active member of the Association of Arts Administration Educators, served as vice president of the Undergraduate Dance Organization, and held the role of secretary for Delta Sigma Phi. He also was a cheerleader for several of the university’s athletic teams.

Carson discovered his passion for arts administration through his internship at Mark DeGarmo Dance, where he supported the organization’s mission of providing dance education to public schools in New York City. He has since held various roles, including Ticketing Specialist at Des Moines Performing Arts, Franchise Manager for Tippi Toes, and the Major Gifts/Donor Relations Intern at American Ballet Theatre.