Mary K manages art

That’s right!  She does

Studying hard

So, I am in an Arts Management program at UMass Amherst.  I am getting my professional certificate in Arts Management.  At this very second, I am procrastinating doing my feedback of our week 6 assignments in my Strategic Planning class.  (Ok, I’m a go getter, I’ve already evaluated one persons, I just like to try to do 2 or 3.)  The problem is, although the feedback I receive is often “good work”, I like to give people 3 pages of ideas and feedback.  I LOVE when I get that kind of feedback, and, you know what they say, “treat others the way you want to be treated” .

School and DAT smushing together

Anyway.  I’m glad to be in this class and I’m REALLY EXCITED about creating the Strategic Plan for my final assignment.  My case study is Dramatic Adventure Theatre, of course, and it was so cool to begin this program right after our incredible retreat.  We gathered so much material and I am having a great time sifting through it all for my school work.

I’ve written a few value statements for us, which we included on the back of our Slovakia brochure.  (Did I mention we’re going to SLOVAKIA in January?  Well, you’ll just have to stay tuned for all the other cool stuff I need to fill you in on!)

Values/ Principles:

We strive to build bridges, connecting artists to artists all over the world.  We strive to create a family of artists and encourage artistic collaboration.  We strive to empower artists to step outside of their comfort zones and expand their horizons to become stronger artists and human beings.  

I’m also working on Procedures Manuals for all of our programs, but I’ve started with the Teaching Artist Residency, and it is so exciting already!  The group is going to flip when they see it.  I’ll keep you updated on my progress, and hopefully will be able to share the Strategic Plan by the end of the year.

Speaking at the Dramatic Adventure Theatre 5-year anniversary party

The big thing about this class and the program in general is to strengthen my confidence in what I’m doing.  Even though I’ve been doing this for 5 years, there are new challenges every day and it’s easy to get down on myself about not really feeling qualified to do it.  But, with each challenge comes an exciting, out-of-the-box solution.  This kind of daily creativity keeps life exciting, and now that we have a really strong group of capable and talented core company members, every day inspires a new adventure.  I’m only 6 weeks into my first class (8 classes total), but I have already been validated by the choices I’m making in my school work to know that I have chosen the right career!  That’s really encouraging!!  Grad school may come later, but this may be enough for me.  I’ll reevaluate in 2014.

Alright, as much as I’d like to keep talking about this, I need to finalize some Long-Term Goals and submit my assignment.  (hehe, it’s not due until NEXT Monday, but I’m an early bird, what can I say )

And- last thing, since this blog is sort of business-y, I’m on Linkedin so click on that and join my professional network!

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