When did you know that you wanted to pursue a career in art? And why?
When I was young we took many different family trips to museums, but I really discovered my love for museums and art in college, rather than in high school. In my undergraduate years, I spent a lot of time in museums. I became very excited and interested in sharing works of art, particularly historic works of art, with people. So I had my first experience with that in college and I never lost that enthusiasm.
How do you know what part of the art world you would pursue specifically?
Initially, I worked in an auction house. So I was on the commercial side of things. I had different experiences in museums, but it was really months later after I went to graduate school that I found where I thought I could contribute the most. For me it’s all about sharing. Sharing what you know, sharing your passion, sharing the work of these artists with a wide audience, and this is really the most important part of my work.
What has been the biggest benefit to you of pursuing a career in art?
The biggest benefit to me is being in an environment where I work with really passionate people. In some cases, the world’s experts on a given subject who have the commitment to share their knowledge and passion with others. It is really being around those kinds of people. I am always very very stimulated.
What roles do you think schools should play in fostering art education and appreciation?
Museums can be kind of intimidating environments if you are not familiar with them. I think the more you can go as children the better. We are really proud of the MFA. We reach out to schools in our area to give youth more exposure. The more comfort you have, the more these places and these works of art become meaningful. It is really about exposure and facilitating the visits. We bring people here and give them a way in which is important.
How concerned are you about the impact from cuts in funding to the arts, particularly in schools?
It is very consequential and something I worry about. I worry about our future, our culture. I worry about the future of free expression - giving people the freedom to express themselves in different ways. I think arts education can give that to people. I think where a society chooses to invest says a lot about who we are as a culture. For me, this is very consequential, and I worry about how this will shape in the years ahead.
What is your advice for people like me who want to study art in college and potentially build a career in the arts?
One of the things I really like to tell young people to do, which is not something that is maybe as obvious as it should be - you have to start meeting artists of your age, the artists who go to school with and who are around you. Your friends become professional connections throughout your whole life, and the friendships and relationships formed early on can inform who you are. You should make sure to cultivate those relationships. The joy of seeing how other artists work is really important.
There are so many different ways and channels to approach a career in the arts. My advice is to try them all and see which one is the best for you.
