Your average arts administrator wears a lot of hats in a typical day --
just ask Randy Follett, who runs a regional arts council.
In addition to taking orders from the arts council members, Follett is
also a bookkeeper, a communications specialist, an art critic, an office manager,
a public relations specialist and a committee chairperson.
In other words, if it's art, and it's happening anywhere in his locale,
Follett is involved -- or at least he's trying to find out more about it.
All this work does come with perks, however.
"Attending shows and exhibits on behalf of the council has got to be the
best job going. I get invites and complimentary tickets to most events."
Although he's based in an isolated area of the East Coast, Follett says
things aren't much different for him than they would be in any other part
of the country. But he does admit travel can be costly and keeping up on the
latest news takes a bit of reading. All this reading helps him know a lot
about what's going on in the arts scene, but he stresses he's only one person
and can't know about everything.
"People do assume that I know everything and everyone, every grant program
out there, every phone number, every government agency. It can be frustrating,"
he says.
Due to his integral role in the arts community, he has been able to get
involved in some interesting projects. For instance, once he was invited to
co-produce a television awards show. It was a project that was very exciting.
It was a live one-hour show with six awards and lots of great performances.
"It [was] really exciting work."
Arts administrator Denise Meyer looks forward to the time of year when
Yale University sends a work-study student her way. Meyer needs help arranging
over 300 concerts every year for the Yale School of Music Concert Music Society.
"I'm fortunate in that I have work-study students at my disposal. They
allow me to have a life," jokes Meyer, whose day-to-day activities include
scheduling, marketing, public relations, financial management, box office
operations and managing staff.
"I was a classical saxophone major who quickly learned I
was a better administrator than a soloist. I also got tired of working on
the same things all the time in the practice room. The variety of things I
do now is more stimulating to me."
While Meyer admits it's stimulating work, a typical day is a frenzy of
students and faculty, dozens of phone calls and scheduling conflicts. Then
there are also the egos and tempers to work around.
"In some ways, this environment isn't very democratic. I'm dealing with
patrons and their money, and artists and their egos. I hate diva-fits!" she
says.
Still, Meyer's dedication to arts is very solid. That's why she has strong
views on arts funding issues.
"I can't believe communities will let the arts die. They've invested so
much of themselves into developing venues in every corner of America in the
last 30 years," says Meyer. "It's tragic that your average American just isn't
interested in funding arts."
While Meyer's job is secure, she still sees some tough times ahead for
the arts in general. "People who feel that music, theater, dance and art enrich
their lives, provoke their minds, stir up emotions and generate a laugh are
becoming too few."