Tag: students

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: DR. YOUNGAAH KOH, MIAMI UNIVERSITY

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Recently, ARAD spoke with Dr. Youngaah Koh, who was part of our program during 2011-2013. After completing her doctorate degree at Ohio State University, she became the Assistant Professor of Arts Management & Arts Entrepreneurship at Miami University.

Could you share a little bit about your background and what led you to join the ARAD program at Teachers College? 

It’s been a while since I graduated from Teachers College, so I have to think back a bit. I got into the program in 2011; I was in South Korea. I graduated  college with a journalism degree, and I really loved and enjoyed writing news stories rather than creative writing – I just thought that was more for me. So, I worked at a newspaper called The Korea Herald, an English-language daily newspaper in Korea where I covered the performing arts. 

I didn’t know a whole lot about the arts when I started this job. But I’ve always appreciated the arts. Going to museums and concerts, and I absolutely loved going to watch the Nutcracker growing up. I just had a strong appreciation for the arts and was able to learn more, especially performing arts like dance, music, and theater, while on the job. I loved my job. 

However, after doing that for a while, I realized I didn’t want to just write about the arts from an outsider’s point of view . I really wanted to be a part of the arts industry, be more involved, and gain hands-on opportunities in the arts and the arts administration industry. Back then, I never really considered myself an artistic person, so I chose the route of arts management rather than a traditional artistic route which I think was a good fit for me, and this field was still nascent in South Korea. It was during that time I realized studying in the United States would be a good option to consider. Studying in a prestigious school like Columbia University and living in New York City would open new avenues for me, so I applied to the ARAD program in 2011 and was funded by the Fulbright program.The scholarship helped cover the tuition which was very helpful and I was able to be a part of a wonderful network of fellow emerging scholars from all over the world.

Were there any specific courses you opted for while in the ARAD program that particularly appealed to you or your academic goals? 

I loved most of the classes I took, and the program was very well organized. Dr. Steven Dubin was the Director of the program at that time. I got to learn a lot about the sociological aspect of the arts and how that intersected with arts management, which was a very fresh perspective. Since we’re on the topic of classes, taking those at Columbia Business School was also very helpful, especially the accounting class. I know not a lot of art students enjoy taking accounting classes, but I found them to be very helpful, and I think it’s beneficial to have that math and numbers knowledge to navigate the arts industry. Comprehending finances and how you fundraise and manage money within the industry becomes pivotal. In addition, I loved going to the business school mixers, which were great networking opportunities. I highly recommend that students take advantage of this opportunity. I also very much enjoyed taking painting classes with Dr. Olga Hubbard in the Art & Art Education department as well as cello classes in the Music Education department which rekindled my creative side and passion for artmaking.

What was your master’s thesis about?  

My thesis was regarding audience development strategies of ethnic museums in New York City. I did a qualitative comparative study between three different ethnically focused art museums centered around community engagement: the Korean Museum, the Italian American Museum, and the Museum of Chinese in America in New York City.  It was a meaningful project where I got to learn a lot about the history of different migrant populations in the city and how they advocated for their arts and culture, and really their community,  through in-depth interviews with the directors of all three  museums. 

What did your journey after graduate school look like? How did you get your current role? 

After graduating from Teachers College in 2013, since I was on a Fulbright program, I was expected to return to my home country  for 2 years to disseminate the knowledge and skills that I had acquired through my studies in the US which I thought was a wonderful opportunity! I got to work with the Korean National Commission of UNESCO. UNESCO is a UN agency that oversees education, science, and culture. Every member state of UNESCO has a National Commission, and Korea is one of them too. I was a program officer with the International Relations Division. Because of my specialty in arts management I mostly worked on international collaborative projects in developing countries within the Asia Pacific region. 

I worked with countries like Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, the Cook Islands in the Pacific Islands and coordinated Korean government funded collaborative projects. For example, I worked in Bangladesh to help modernize their traditional textile called Jamdani, where we worked with a local designer to modernize it for contemporary fashion like clothing and bags. We held a  fashion exhibit at the end of the project, which was very successful and received positive responses locally. ! It was so fulfilling to see the impact these projects had on the local community. It was a very rewarding experience to work with such a diverse group of people from around the world, experiencing their cultures and their native storytelling, especially in the Pacific Islands region. 

I would also participate in the making international policy by contributing to UNESCO’s Executive Committee meetings and the General Assembly.  I used to travel extensively between Seoul, South Korea, and Paris, where UNESCO’s headquarters is located.   

Sometime around the end of 2015, a colleague (who is also one of my best friends from the ARAD program) who was pursuing her doctorate degree at Ohio State University in Arts, Administration, Education, and Policy recommended that I apply to the program. I had considered getting a doctoral degree but after I completed my master’s program, I wanted to take some time to gain work and industry experience, and this seemed like the right  time to embark on that journey.  With this degree, I could expand my scope to not just the arts but also cultural policy, education, and the intersection of those disciplines. I was able to work with theoretical frameworks of multicultural education and critical multiculturalism, and how they intersected with cultural policy. Through my dissertation, I examined the impact of community-based culturally-relevant art education for Korean-American elementary students. This project had to do a lot with my vested interest in the empowerment of ethnic minority communities in the U.S through the power of their arts and culture. 

I graduated from the program in 2019 and moved to Miami University and I’ve been in this role ever since, and this is my fourth year of teaching in this position. I teach arts management, and I work with undergraduate students within the university, which is a liberal arts college, and one I have really come to appreciate. It’s different from the education that I have experienced. I enjoy working closely with students and establishing meaningful relationships with them. It has been such a rewarding experience! I am part of the Arts Management & Arts Entrepreneurship program. I currently teach Introduction to arts management, Cultural equity in the arts, and Policy and advocacy in the arts, which is my area of expertise in the program. I love taking students to advocacy events and meetings with legislators to gain first-hand experience. 

What are some of the challenges that you face in this role? How do you overcome them? 

There are two main challenges I face in this role. Firstly, some logistical constraints in the program. We started off as a minor program back in the early 2010s but are now a full-blown major program with over 250 students. Because we are so fast-growing it has been challenging to keep up with the demand. So, ensuring that students get consistent quality education in the program, with the turnovers of faculty since it’s not easy to hire more permanent positions, has been a more contextual challenge.

Secondly, because Miami University is an undergraduate teaching-focused school and I thus spend a lot of time on my teaching and advising, it sometimes can be difficult to carve out time for my research. The university, however, really encourages a teacher-scholar model among its faculty, where what you’re teaching informs your research and vice versa. And because of this, I’ve really gotten to embody and appreciate that role throughout my career here. For example, I have involved my students in advocacy events and have them get involved in those kinds of experiences in partnership with CreativeOhio, a grassroots advocacy organization here in the state of Ohio; I have turned that into a collaborative research project that we have been working on. I find engaging with the community to be a pivotal part of my role both as a scholar and teacher of arts management.

Given your diverse experience, both as a practitioner and a scholar, and now a  tenure-track faculty member, what advice would you like to give our current and prospective students at ARAD? 

Ah, that’s a big question! Well, firstly, I highly recommend getting a degree at Teachers College in the ARAD program if you’re interested in arts administration. It was monumental for my career, not just because of the great curriculum, but just being exposed to all the different people and cultures and the arts and the city of New York in general. Everywhere you go in the city, you see so many different artists from different cultures that open your mind to many opportunities.

My second piece of advice would be never to be afraid to try something new, even if you don’t know what it might be. Just follow your heart and gain as much experience as you gain in different areas that spark your interest. I know so many friends and students alike who complete an undergraduate degree and straightaway go into getting a master’s and pursuing a Ph.D. right after. I advise taking some time between each degree to experience the field and figure out what parts of the industry spur your passion and creativity. I always encourage my students to be more intentional in why they wish to pursue those graduate studies and what they want to gain from them. Don’t be afraid to try taking the path less traveled. I’m sure new opportunities will open up, and the challenges that come along with them will help push you to be more entrepreneurial and innovative in your career.

Finally, I would say, find a good mentor who can help you. It could be someone from the program; it could be one of the faculty members; it could also be someone you meet at your job, or it could be a senior or peer colleague that you work with. And (very) lastly, treasure the relationships you build when you’re pursuing your graduate degree at TC. You are part of a network of amazingly talented, smart, and creative people who will, if not already, have thriving careers throughout the world. This network will take you a long way! 

Fall 2022 Microgrant Recipients –  Celestina Billington & Joey Chen

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The Arts Administration Program (ARAD) at Teachers College, Columbia University previously awarded two students with Microgrants for Student Professionalization during Fall 2022.

Through the ARAD Microgrant Program and with generous support from the Arts and Humanities Department at Teachers College, ARAD proudly supports student professionalization activities on campus and beyond. This award champions special projects proposed by Teachers College student groups (with ARAD student membership), as well as professional development for individual students in the ARAD Program. Applications were invited through an open call process, and selected by ARAD faculty.

  1. Microgrant Recipient: Arts Admin Next (AAN) and the inaugural event “First Roundtable: ARAD X VAA”

Arts Admin Next (AAN) is a student organization founded by Joey Chen (ARAD ‘24) and Katerina Wang (ARAD ‘24). Connecting students in the pre-professional programs in arts administration with experienced practitioners in the arts industry, Arts Admin Next (AAN) aims to create a diversified community and an encouraging social adventure for arts administrators. 

On December 3, 2022, Arts Admin Next (AAN) launched its inaugural event, “First Roundtable: ARAD X VAA,” at TheBLANC gallery, bringing together current students and alumni from the Arts Administration (ARAD) program at Teachers College, Columbia University, and from the Visual Arts Administration (VAA) program at New York University. 

We were honored to have invited four alumni from both programs as our guest speakers, who are: Nicole Chen (ARAD ‘20, Post Sale Manager, Sotheby’s), Alexis Yuen (ARAD ‘16, Art Advisor, Manager of the Trade Program, Uprise Art), Erin Cao (VAA ‘19, Associate Director, Miguel Abreu Gallery), and Lauren Torrie (VAA ‘22, Development Assistant, The Metropolitan Museum of Art). The guest speakers shared their valuable experiences of the graduate programs and their career journeys during the self-introductions and roundtable discussions. 

(Photos by the Blanc Gallery)

2. Celestina Billington (ARAD ’23) is an artist and activist living in Manhattan. She has previously partnered with organizations that include Amnesty International and AmeriCorps VISTA. Currently, her direct action work is with vulnerable groups on COVID outreach with the nonprofit Good Old Lower East Side. Her artistic work is multidisciplinary and grounded in writing, experimental performance and social practice. She has been in productions at Museo de Arte Moderno, La Mama Theater and DiverseWorks. She is a founding member of the international collective “OURNA,” which produces original films, albums, podcasts and zines. In her free time Celestina enjoys traveling and caring for a pet turtle. 

The ARAD microgrant supports Celestina in covering costs for access to Adobe Creative Suite application tools often used in arts administration jobs, as well as for online courses in LinkedIn Learning that will aid her in mastering the various sought-after skillsets associated with creative software.

Student Advocates for the Arts: Valentine’s Day Fundraiser

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On Tuesday, February 14, ARAD’s student-run organization, Student Advocates for the Arts (SAA) hosted a Valentine’s Day Fundraiser in support of the International Brazilian Opera Company. Scroll down to see comments from attendees, performers, and organizers.

“The event showcased students from the Arts Administration program who performed on the “piano corner” of the hall. Among them, Arnell Nur Karina, Hannah Cleveland, Hayley Rothman, Helena Wang, Hugo Vaz, Sheng Gao, and Vivian Stolt delivered a beautiful set of musical pieces from classic to folk, to tango. The goal was to raise funds for the International Brazilian Opera Company (IBOC), a Harlem-based non-profit arts organization that produces contemporary works of opera and supports immigrants who wish to establish themselves as musicians in the United States. To date, IBOC has helped 64 immigrants obtain their legal status as distinguished artists in the USA, and the company has developed 7 full operas. As the closing act, a few artists from IBOC presented four musical pieces, featuring Brazilian-American singer Alex Scott, Brazilian guitarist Gabriel Gorski and the Chinese tenor Yunxuan Zhu. The SAA is the student association of the Arts Administration program and is run by volunteer ARAD students of both the ’23 and ’24 cohorts.” – Hugo Vaz (ARAD ’24)

“Overall, I thought that the event went very well. There were a variety of performers, and lots of TC students who were eating in the dining hall at the time of the performance, so they got to enjoy the live music without having to stray from their usual routine. We had microphones to help carry the sound throughout the dining hall, and decorations to make the space feel a bit more festive and special for the event, especially given that it was held on Valentine’s Day. It was fun to have students performing, especially from the ARAD program, since I hadn’t heard many of my classmates perform before. We also had musicians from the International Brazilian Opera Company come and perform, which made the event really special. Having the fundraising component as a part of the event made it feel very intentional and added a sense of purpose beyond providing live music. It was a very fun event to put together, and I hope that Student Advocates for the Arts can continue to hold performances as a way to advocate for the arts!” – Hannah Cleveland (ARAD ’23)


“The SAA’s Valentine’s Day Fundraiser was a success, and allowed the many skillful artists of the ARAD program to use and exhibit their talents for the benefit of the International Brasil Opera in New York. The program included song, piano and violin performances, with love songs such Elvis’ Can’t Help Falling in Love and Por Una Cabeza, famous from the Al Pacino movie “Scent of a Woman”. The program ended with performances by the artists of the International Brazilian Opera Company. Overall the experience was lovely, and allowed ARADers to build a community together through music!”  – Vivian Stolt (ARAD ’24)

“As a member of the Student Advocates for the Arts, I assisted in the planning and execution of the SAA Valentine’s Day Concert, a fundraiser supporting the local arts organization the International Brazilian Opera Company. Every individual in the Arts Administration Program is so creative and talented, so I thought this was the perfect event for SAA. It was absolutely heartwarming and inspiring to see my peers perform together as well as the guest musicians from the International Brazilian Opera Company. I hope we can do another event like this again soon!” – Joanna Calhoun (ARAD ’23)

Alumni Spotlight: Blaire Townshend, The Broadway League

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For this chapter of our Alumni Spotlight series, ARAD spoke with Blaire Townshend (ARAD’ 17). Currently, Blaire is the Senior Manager of Membership Services & Professional Development at the Broadway League.

Could you share a little bit about your background? And what led you to join the ARAD program? 

I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto. I was a specialist in literature, music, and drama. While I loved those studies and enjoyed my time up there, I found that my passions definitely lay in the extracurricular work that I was doing, which had a more pragmatic focus. I had begun work as Executive Producer of our student drama society and absolutely fell in love with it. I loved the holistic viewpoint that arts leadership afforded and the opportunity to interact with people from a number of different constituencies. It really struck a chord with me. So, when I was looking for the next steps, I began researching arts administration masters programs because I was looking for more practical applications and further study on those extracurricular activities that had spoken to me –  and that’s how I came across the Arts Administration program at Teachers College. I was drawn to the idea that I might be one of a cohort of individuals working through that part of their journey together.

In addition, while I was quite confident that I wanted to focus on the performing arts at that time, I was interested in both theater and opera, given my experience doing an internship at the Canadian Opera Company, so I wanted to take this opportunity to narrow down my focus. I liked the idea of seeing what I could learn from people throughout the field and being surrounded by people who might be interested in everything from visual arts to dance. So that was something that drew me to the program as well. 

Finally, the exposure to New York City itself as our backyard was a huge draw – as someone who had spent 5 years in Toronto and loved that city, I still knew that New York was where I needed to end up based on my professional interests, and thought that the program would be a great entree to the area. 

Were there any specific courses you opted for while in the ARAD program? 

I enjoyed the breadth of courses that were available to us. I particularly enjoyed starting the degree with the more practical courses, such as Principles and Practice in Arts Administration, that we took with Dr. Lena. It gave us a foundation in the field by creating a resume of professional work, and it made me  more intentional and thoughtful about how I put myself out there in the world. It allowed me to take practical steps toward future internships and the jobs I would be interested in. From just going over our resumes in a new light to being aware of our presence online, writing critiques of mission and value statements from various organizations, and preparing news articles, it was a great way to begin the program. 

In addition, I greatly appreciated the opportunity to go out on our own and decide on the additional courses we could take. My advice to those entering the program is to be very thoughtful about this and to make the most of your time at Columbia and the resources afforded to you because there are plenty of options that you can pursue if you just do your research. For example, when I became more aware that I wanted to focus on the commercial theater sector, I approached the Theater Management Master’s program at the School of the Arts. I took some extra courses there –  one that gave me a great primer in general management and the inner workings of putting on a show, and a Creative Producing course with a professor I now regularly interact with in my day-to-day work. 

I also enjoyed taking business and law courses because those were so practically focused. One other program that I took advantage of was the Executive MBA program through Columbia Business School. I very much liked the idea that these courses were offered outside the normal school schedule and that I could pack more learning in and make the most of my time. I loved the practical nature of the courses I took, as we were often assigned projects for which we would present our recommendations to a real-world company or firm, which was great practice for being out in the professional world. I think the Executive MBA is a wonderful resource, and I highly recommend that students pursue it.

What was your IP or Capstone Project about? 

My thesis was focused on opera, and even though I no longer work in that field, it was something I was and remain very passionate about – my research centered around targeting millennials as the future audience for opera. Hence, my interviews featured professionals in the opera space, often those creating programs that attempted to bring millennials in and keep them engaged.

In general, I think that sufficiently preparing the next generation to be the future leaders of the arts sector is one of the most important things we can do. It all comes back to professional development – my particular passion – but simply providing young people with the information they need to know what’s out there helps ensure we engage audiences. 

What did your journey after graduate school look like? How did you get your current role? 

I would say my professional path has been relatively unique. I began my work as an intern at The Broadway League while still in grad school – it was, in fact, the internship I took as a program requirement. A week into the internship, I knew this was the perfect environment for me. It was a very exciting time to be working on Broadway. There was a huge renaissance within the field, and a lot of great new work taking place – the industry, in general, was very active and engaged. I was thrown right into the middle of it all during a major industry conference, and I absolutely fell in love with it! 

I loved the perspective you’re afforded at a trade association, from which you can see a bird’s eye view of an industry – where the industry’s priorities lie, what makes it tick, and where it would like to move in the future. Coming in knowing precious little about the different professions available within the commercial theater space, I realized I had stumbled upon the perfect position for me, which let me use my administrative brain to assist the producers, the general managers, and the theater owners whom I so love to work with. I remained part-time with The Broadway League while I finished my degree and became full-time upon graduation. I’ve been in the same department since taking on different roles in membership and professional development.

What challenges do you face(d) in your current role? How do you work around them?

The most obvious challenge we’ve faced as an industry has been the unprecedented shutdown of our business over the last few years. A shutdown of this magnitude has never happened in the history of Broadway – even in other times of crisis, the scope of the shutdown was not nearly this severe. I was lucky to retain my job through all of this during a time when so many arts professionals did not. For those of us who remained, it was a particularly busy time, with all of us working double time to try to keep things afloat, keep communication channels open, and be forward-thinking about how we might reopen, when it would be appropriate to do so, and what it would mean when we did – what would change, and what would stay the same?

Additionally, people in the theater industry were extremely dedicated to supporting one another through the shutdown and really came together in a remarkable way. The collaboration involved, amongst those who in other industries might be considered competitors, was absolutely inspiring. It made for an invaluable education, and I feel very fortunate that I was privy to these discussions and that I was able to help in some small way. The recent reopening of our industry was such a full-circle moment, and very emotional for everyone. I will never forget that first experience back in the theater, and how powerful it was to be back in that space after such a long time. 

Lastly, do you have any advice for our current students? 

I may be reiterating something I said previously, but I’m doing so purposefully because I believe it’s important: my primary advice is to take advantage of the resources you have available to you while you’re in the program. Not only is Teachers College an institution with significant resources, but you also have the backing of all of Columbia University. Use the programmatic resources they provide! By entering the program, you have made a commitment to yourself and your education, and there’s much you can gain if you put in the effort to explore your options. 

One aspect of this is participating in extracurricular activities at Teachers College or even Columbia, which I highly recommend if you have the time and capacity to do so. This only builds upon your degree and may open some doors for you that you wouldn’t have thought were viable. That’s how I found my career path! During my time at Teachers College, for example, I served as Co-President of Student Advocates for the Arts (SAA), which was a wonderful organization that gave me the opportunity to go down to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the benefits of arts programming in direct conversation with government representatives. This was an invaluable experience because it gave me practice in public speaking and networking. Most importantly, however, it forced me to articulate the value of the arts sector I was trying to pursue. 

And finally, I would advise that significant human resources are also available to you. Your professors are professionals with a wealth of experience to tap into – make the most of your time with them! You never know who you will continue to stay in touch with as you enter the field. In addition, you are part of a cohort of extraordinary people who will be your peers and compatriots throughout your professional life, even if you are not working in the same institutions or even the same arts fields. Human connection and collaboration are of the utmost importance in the collaborative fields in which we work.   

ARAD Holiday Service Project 2022

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This year, the Arts Administration Program (ARAD) at Teachers College, Columbia University will be continuing its tradition of hosting a Holiday Service Project for its faculty, students, staff, and alumni to contribute time, goods, and cheer to those in need during the winter holidays. ARAD will continue its partnership with Art Start in the format of a toy drive on December 14. Art Start is a non-profit organization that brings arts programming to at-risk youth living in city shelters, on the streets, or surviving with parents in crisis.

In addition, we are excited to announce our efforts will also benefit viBe Theatre Experience. viBe Theater Experience (viBe) is a nationally-recognized, high-impact performing arts nonprofit that is youth-led and youth-centered. Since their first performance on August 17, 2002, viBe has grown into an organization that actively invests in the next generation of performing artists – ensuring that NYC’s cultural sector remains diverse and that our communities have access to the artistic expertise necessary to shape its future! Available free of charge, viBe provides 10 theater and arts education programs, academic and wellness support services like therapy and movement classes, youth leadership training and workforce development opportunities at the organization and through partnerships to girls, femmes, and young women of color ages 13-26.

This winter, viBe is participating in #BrooklynGives 2022:

  • Your gift of $20 celebrates viBe’s 20- year anniversary.
  • Your gift of $50 supports the purchase of PPE for staff & program participants.
  • Your gift of $75 supports audio/video recording for our young artists.
  • Your gift of $250 supports supplies/materials for the viBeSongMakers program.
  • Your gift of $500 supports ongoing Professional Development for Teaching Artists.
  • Your gift of $1,000 supports staff wellness sessions with Liberation Based LLC therapists.
  • Your gift of $1,500 pays for the stipend of one young playwright from viBePages to Stages.

viBe’s end-of-year fundraiser for #BrooklynGives culminates December 31, 2022. You can donate using the form on this page.

Thank you for helping us make the holidays brighter by providing the tools and access to creative self-expression through the arts! Please contact Grace J. Choi at artsadmin@tc.columbia.edu with any questions.

Meet Tianqi Liao, ARAD’s New Social Media Coordinator

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ARAD is delighted to welcome Tianqi Liao as our new Social Media Coordinator. Learn more about Tianqi, her goals for her new role, and what she does outside of TC.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? What was your undergraduate degree focused on?

I was born in Hangzhou, China and I spent my childhood there until I was 10; after that, I attended a boarding school in England for seven years. When I was studying for my A-Levels, I wanted to deepen my interest in English Literature, but later decided to study Journalism at New York University. During that time, I took a lot of courses related to visual storytelling. I’ve been in New York City ever since.

What previous experiences have led you to your current role?

After my undergraduate studies, I joined the Bronx Documentary Center as an intern before moving into the development department. Throughout my time as the Development and Communications Coordinator, I’ve been helping with non-profit fundraising, annual photo auctions, and photojournalism-based exhibitions. Previously, I was also the Manager of Photography and Video at Art in Odd Places, which is an arts festival that aims to present visual and performance art in unexpected public spaces. Besides these experiences, I’ve also worked at the Center for Architecture, which focuses on informing the public about the role of design through exhibitions and public programs.

How have those experiences informed your current professional path?

Whether it was developing digital strategies for fundraising campaigns or documenting artist performances and maintaining digital archives, all these professional learning experiences were instrumental in shaping my career path. In combination with my previous academic background, everything seemed to coalesce and I was determined to pursue arts administration in a more systematic way. Now as I prepare to begin my MA program, I am looking forward to taking courses that might add to my knowledge of branding and marketing for museums, galleries, and other arts organizations.

What are you looking forward to in taking on this role?

As a new student, I think this role provides a good opportunity to connect with both groups of past and current students. For past students of ARAD, I want to leverage the potential of our alumni network and highlight their achievements and milestones. At the same time, I look forward to using my previous experiences in digital content creation and audience engagement to bring our program to more people’s attention.

What do you do outside of your time at TC?

I’m always down to explore new exhibits throughout the city, especially ones involving photography as a medium. I also practice photography myself and take on personal projects that combine conceptual and documentary styles. When I’m not working, you are likely to find me snuggling with my cats.

Tianqi Liao will begin her pursuit of her M.A. in Arts Administration at Teachers College, Columbia University in the Fall. She graduated from New York University with double majors in Journalism and Media, Culture & Communications. She has worked with various arts and cultural organizations such as the Bronx Documentary Center, Art in Odd Places, and the Center for Architecture.

Meet Alise Pundure, ARAD’s new Social Media Coordinator

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ARAD is delighted to welcome Alise Pundure as our new Social Media Coordinator. Learn more about Alise, her goals for her new role, and what she does outside of TC.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? What was your undergraduate degree focused on?

I grew up in Riga, Latvia, where my parents exposed me to arts and culture from a very young age. I moved to the U.S. in 2017 to begin my studies at Drexel University in Philadelphia. In 2021, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Entertainment and Arts Management and a Minor in Business Administration. 

What previous experiences have led you to your current role?

In the past, I have had internships and work experiences in communications, marketing, and project management. In 2019, I interned at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, which houses one of the largest collections of impressionist, post-impressionist, and modern paintings in America and is one of my favorite places in the world! The next summer, I returned home to Latvia, where I was the communications intern at the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design. Most recently, I had the opportunity to manage the projects of a Latvian VR technology startup working with different cultural organizations. 

How have those experiences informed your current professional path?

During my undergraduate studies, I took courses in marketing, graphic design, and photography, which shaped my interest in digital marketing and communications. At the Barnes Foundation, I gained experience in writing copy and developing marketing materials. At the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design in Riga, I created a successful Instagram campaign for an art exhibition. During my time at Drexel University, I oversaw a team of writers for the Her Campus online publication. Last year, I independently organized a virtual art exhibition and created content for its Instagram and Facebook accounts to reach a wide international audience. All these experiences have helped me develop a passion for digital content creation. After graduating from the ARAD program, I hope to manage marketing and communications at an art museum.

What are you looking forward to in taking on this role?

Now, when so much of our time is spent online and we see an overabundance of digital content every day, I aim to create social media content that is meaningful and engaging. I hope to bring ARAD’s community closer together and highlight the accomplishments of our students and alumni. My goal is to show how supportive and inspiring this community is because this is how I have experienced it during my first semester as an ARAD student!

What do you do outside of your time at TC?

In my free time, you can find me exploring the city and taking pictures. I love street photography, and New York is one of the best cities in the world for capturing fascinating shots. I also love exploring the city’s many museums and going to Broadway shows. Finally, I enjoy going jogging in the beautiful Riverside park right next to campus.

Alise Katrina Pundure is currently pursuing her M.A. in Arts Administration at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated Summa Cum Laude, Honors with Distinction from Drexel University with a B.S. in Entertainment and Arts Management in 2021. She has interned in art museums in the U.S. and Latvia, and most recently she worked for a Latvian immersive technology startup. Her professional interests include marketing, fundraising, and digital technology in arts organizations.

Alumni Spotlight: Carolina Cambronero-Varela, Co-Producer of “Artivism: The Power of Art for Social Transformation”

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What is your role in working with Artivism: The Power of Art for Social Transformation? How did Artivism begin and how did it become a multi-institutional collaboration?

Thank you for this opportunity ARAD family, such an honor to be back home!

My motto goes: Trust engenders opportunities; opportunities: a dignified life. This motto describes what is happening with this ongoing endeavor, the cumulative labor of love of many.

The initiative Artivism: The Power of Art for Social Transformation emerged from the book Illuminations of Social Imagination, which flourished from the event Liberating Imagination Through Artistic Activism, and the exhibition Brave Spaces: Where You, Me and We Meet. This event and exhibition were made possible via Columbia University’s Student Advocates for the Arts (SAA) in collaboration with New York University’s Advocates for Cultural Engagement (ACE). Thank you SAA then fellow board members Lauren Williams and Ulrike Figueroa Vilchis and ACE president Briana Zimmerman. Much gratitude also to Ms. Katarina Wong, Dr. Gemma Mangione, Dr. Jennifer Lena, all SAA sponsors, and collaborators.

As a note to current ARAD students, SAA has enormous potential. In my previous interview, I mentioned that teamwork, dedication and discipline, with a little sacrifice, are all you need as the infrastructure for your dreams. Go get them!!

Thank you God and all that have made this evolution possible. As you can imagine, collaboration is the key in building this robust network of what is now Artivism. Immense gratitude to you all for your trust!

Because of this book’s collaborative spirit, featuring 15 authors and three co-editors, it felt only natural to create a program with the authors, their thought-provoking chapters, and the socially engaged projects they’re involved in. This is how the idea came about with the Gottesman Libraries: How about a year-long Program (Spring-Fall 2021) emphasizing the topic of our recently published book regarding Social Imagination and the arts for social change?

It was thanks to Artivism’s fairy godmother, Ms. Jennifer Govan, Senior Librarian and Director of the Gottesman Libraries, that doors were opened and Artivism grew into what it is today. With her trustful “yes”, we contacted Dr. Christine Riordan, President of Adelphi University, who then connected us with her team, Dr. Stephanie Lake, Professor Argiro Agelarakis, and Sarah Avery from the Criminal Justice Program. In addition, we were also joined by Dr. Inés Archer from Adelphi’s Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Soon thereafter, Sing for Hope co-founders, Camille Zamora and Monica Yunus, saw potential in the idea and became Artivism’s co-collaborators and co-sponsors.

Can you explain what “artivism” is and what it means to you?

Artivism looks to ignite the passion within each of us to be the change agents of our moribund society: with our current resources, where we are. Artivism builds networks of content creation, collaborations, and new ways of thinking as tools to transform systemic societal disjunctives. 

Artivism brings to light how the arts can redress inequities, reflect all voices, and push society forward. This interdisciplinary, multi-institutional collaboration aims to engage people in transforming society through the power of art. The initiative’s vision is to generate a movement where committed social ‘artivists’ are responding to historical global unrest and creating community through multidisciplinary teamwork toward a more dignified and meaningful coexistence.  Artivism hosts presenters and their initiatives from all over the world, encouraging teamwork, working for the common good, and exchanging ideas. Artivism is currently also building its European chapter.

Artivism is the result of dedication, teamwork and reciprocity. Artivism is an example of selfless collaboration for the greater good. To me, this is the objective-solidarity, sharing and being one; one family that cares for each other worldwide in hopes of transforming societal systemic disjunctives.

What initiatives is Artivism currently working on?

Our current season started this past September and will feature an amazing line-up of international presenters, spanning from locations such as Ecuador, Greece, Costa Rica, Russia, the Philippines, Iran, and France. In addition, we are also collaborating with Adelphi University’s “Fall Arts Festival” on October 6th, 2021, with a live roundtable discussion, held in the Olmsted Theater at Adelphi University’s Performing Arts Center. Adelphi students are also currently working on creating an official Artivism Club on campus. Our ongoing Student Ambassador Program continues to provide a platform for students to share their voices while also connecting directly with other artivists. This upcoming Spring 2022 season is all lined up and ready to ignite our audiences.

Artivism shows what dedication, teamwork and solidarity can do. It shows how each individual has the means, not in the future but NOW to be the change agent in their current context. By being mindful, attentive, present, and receptive in your everyday activities and taking selfless action, you are everything needed to inspire and transform the status quo, one person at the time- starting with YOU. Now, how are you inspiring others?

Artivism: Nurturing change for a more dignified and meaningful coexistence

Get involved

For more information on Artivism: The Power of Art for Social Transformation, check out the links below.

Carolina Cambronero Varela, M.A. is engaged in community endeavors that promote a better environment and future through the arts and peace education. She believes these are human rights that will guide all, primarily children, to a deeper understanding of the power of transformation that each person has within. Carolina envisions the creation of these opportunities as integral components for a dignified life (please refer to The International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, 1966).

While at Columbia University, Carolina was president of Student Advocates for the Arts, co-chair of the Peace Education Network, and program representative in the Arts and Humanities Department Student Council. She also became a member of Kappa Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, Global Citizens Club, and Columbia’s University Life Events Council.

Currently, Carolina co-produces the initiative Artivism: The Power of Art for Social Transformation, an ongoing, multimodal collaboration sponsored by Sing for Hope, Adelphi University and Gottesman Libraries, Teachers College, Columbia University. Artivism aims to generate community through multi-disciplinary teamwork for a more dignified and meaningful coexistence, however you define these terms. The initiative aims to nurture confidence in taking continuous action from wherever you are by means of reciprocity.

Links:

Interview

National Arts Action Summit

From Negative to Positive Event

Artivism: The Power of Art for Social Transformation

Meet Joanna Calhoun, ARAD’s new Social Media Coordinator

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ARAD is delighted to welcome Joanna Calhoun (ARAD ’23) as our new Social Media Manager. Learn more about Joanna, her goals for her new role, and what she does outside of TC.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? What was your undergraduate degree focused on?

I am from West Monroe, Louisiana and I earned my undergraduate degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Composition and a Minor in Business Management.

What previous experiences have led you to your current role?

At Tulane University, I took classes in performing arts, visual arts, and business management, and I desired to pursue a career path that allowed me to combine all of these passions. During my undergraduate career, I worked with several arts organizations in Louisiana such as the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, Make Music NOLA, the New Orleans Jazz Museum, and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Each one of these roles helped me discover my love for arts administration and social media management.

How have those experiences informed your current professional path?

During my internships, I gained experience in writing blog posts and articles, conducting interviews, photographing events, creating digital content, and managing social media. I believe these experiences have properly prepared me for the position of Social Media Coordinator. I look forward to further developing my current skills as I am interested in pursuing a career in management, marketing, and social media at an arts organization when I graduate.

What are you looking forward to in taking on this role?

As an incoming student to the ARAD Program, I am very excited to get to know my cohort and collaborate with faculty, staff, and alumni! I am looking forward to using my experience and knowledge towards promoting and strengthening the ARAD program and community.

What do you do outside of your time at TC?

I have been a musician my entire life, and my primary instrument is the violin. You can most often find me playing the violin whether it be as a soloist, in a band, or in a symphony orchestra. My other hobbies include drawing and painting, thrifting, and photography. I also love exploring the city and going to new restaurants, museums, and concerts!

Joanna Calhoun is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Arts Administration at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated summa cum laude from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Composition and a minor in Business Management. At Tulane University, she was a classical violinist in the Tulane Symphony Orchestra throughout all her semesters. Joanna’s professional interests center around marketing, communications, social media management, event programming, and arts education.

Student Spotlight: Myriam Varjacques

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Tell us about yourself.

Originally from Paris, France, Myriam Varjacques myriam-varjacquesis a 2014 graduate of Barnard College with a distinction in English and a minor in Dance. She has interned for American Ballet Theatre, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and The New 42nd Street, Inc, among others. From 2014-2016, Myriam was the Marketing Assistant for the Mark Morris Dance Group, where the collaborative environment allowed her to work with nearly every department of the organization on such projects as brochures, company programs, website content management, and audio and video archiving. Her ambitions lie in advocacy and fundraising for the performing arts.

What is your professional ambition or dream?

My dream is to be the executive director of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. I will be interning in the Public Programming department this January working on contracts for two summer festivals so I’m off to a good start!

What are the three things you need to have on you at all times?

My planner, my phone, and lipstick.

Who are your three favorite artists, in any medium?

Too many to count but here are a few… Carrie Fisher Marcelo Gomes (principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre) Patrick Rothfuss (author of The Kingkiller Chronicles)