Name: Helen Lee
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Year in School: Second Year MAAA-MPA Student
Q: How did you come to find yourself at the MAAA-MPA program?
A: After undergrad, I worked at a non-profit for a year but I was really missing music and art from my life so I took three years to focus on singing. At that time, I was actually thinking about going back to school for voice but my undergrad is not in music and, as some people may know, it’s super, super challenging to get into a non undergrad program if your undergrad isn’t in music. So, Jacobs was a primary reason why I became interested in IU as a place for graduate school and going into Arts Administration was the most parallel option which has actually turned out to be a better fit for me. I also really liked that O’Neill had the dual degree (degrees in Arts Administration, MAAA, and in Public Affairs, MPA) option as I do very much have academic and professional interests outside of the arts.
Q: What’s been your favorite part of the program thus far?
A: Karen Gahl-Mills! But more seriously, before I came here I wasn’t really in the arts world professionally speaking. Even when I was singing it was a lot different than being an arts administrator. The program has been really great in that we get to talk with so many guest speakers, especially in Karen’s classes, and how these arts administrators, many of whom are or were artists, are thinking about larger issues. They’re not just talking about art. Sometimes I think it’s easy to get discouraged but then when I see arts administrators who are engaged in actual contemporary issues and using the arts to engage with that, that makes me think, “this is good.”
Q: What’s been the most challenging part of the program for you thus far?
A: The most obvious answer has to be COVID but I think for the dual degree program the MAAA identity is purposefully very separate from the rest of O’Neill. Sometimes that is really good but it can also be challenging at other times. When you’re a dual degree person it’s a little bit difficult to place yourself because there are few of us, and the MAAA program is also smaller than other programs. The dual degree can be done in two and a half years, but I’ll be doing it in three, so in that time period you see three of four MAAA cohorts come and go. Even the MPA cohorts, who also all start at the same time, are out in two years… It’s an interesting balance to try to strike.
Q: What are your thoughts about graduating? What path are you thinking about?
A: Because I’m participating in the O’Neill Global Leadership Program in Portugal, I won’t graduate until this August. Though I like learning, it’s also time to get out there. I’ve already applied to a couple of things. I’ve had differing advice from people, that it’s too early for me to be applying and also that it’s not, but I’m either trying to work for an arts organization or a non-profit, regional arts organization that develops and supports arts programs, like an Arts Midwest. I’m also interested in international affairs, which is part of why I’m going to Portugal, where I’ll complete a full time internship while I’m there. Cultural diplomacy is an area of very specific interest to me. My undergrad degree is in international studies and now, obviously, I’m doing MAAA-MPA. Cultural diplomacy is an intersection of those things that I’m really interested in. It’s a very small field but I’m hoping that I can do something with that this summer in Portugal. I’m also very interested in working with the state department as they do a lot of cultural diplomacy work but also because I’m very interested in having an international career.
Q: What work have you been doing here in Bloomington whilst in MAAA?
A: I’ve been a Graduate Assistant for the Center for Cultural Affairs since last fall. I’m also the Arts and Culture Fellow for the City of Bloomington. Most of what I’ve been doing is helping with grants from the Bloomington Arts Commission who distributes that funding. This semester I’m going to help them more with public art as they have a plan that they’re working on.
Q: There’s a lot of misconception around what Arts Administration is. How do you explain it to your family or people you may meet that don’t understand what “Arts Administration” means?
A: Every time I go home my mom is like, “what are you studying?” Haha. I describe arts administration as the people behind the scenes. Yes, the artists have to “art” but someone has to take care of the building, somebody has to make sure everyone is getting paid. All the administrative work needs to be done.
Q: And how would you describe Arts Administration to a ten year old?
A: We support artists in making their art.
Q: If you were to meet someone who might be considering a degree in Arts Administration here at the O’Neill School, what would you say to them?
A: If I were them I would want to know the pros and cons. The best thing is probably the people. There are so many great people in my cohort but also the professors, they’re so willing to help you with literally anything. And the “worst” thing? Finding the right balance between the classes that are very practical in their application and the other classes that are very theoretical.
Q: What’s on your arts and culture bucket list?
A: I would like to see an opera at Teatro alla Scala. I feel like it’s corny to say go to the Louvre.
I spent a summer in Egypt in 2014. By that time they had already overthrown their dictator and by the summer of 2014 they were working on throwing over their president. A lot was going on there then, with focus elsewhere, but I went to the Egyptian museum and I was so sad. I understand why the collections were dusty and a bit uncared for but it was sad still. If at some point I am able to go back and see how it is, I’d love the opportunity.
Q: Favorite work of art (any art form, genre)
A: I’m a big Puccini fan. “La Boheme” is a bit cliché but really who doesn’t love a romance? Painting wise, I’m a Salvador Dalí fan. Weird man but the melting clocks? Love that.