Name: Hannah Crane
Hometown: Warsaw, Indiana
Year in School: Part-time MAAA Student
Q: How did you first come to find yourself here at the MAAA program?
A: I was raised in my hometown dance studio and that was my community, my core, what introduced me to the arts and how the arts are transformative. That absolutely shaped me. So, I grew up dancing, studying dance, and I auditioned all around the country to pursue dance as my major for undergrad. I really wanted to come to IU, even though I got into some other programs, I knew that IU was my school. I didn’t make it into the dance program but that’s okay. It turned out to be, you know, a blessing and the path that I needed to take.
So, I studied journalism here at IU and, throughout my undergraduate career, I had the opportunity to study with the African American Dance Company, which is a program here on the IU Bloomington Campus, that’s part of the African American Arts Institute. My training with them, under the direction of Professor Iris Rosa, the founding director of the African American Dance Company, from 1974 until 2017, really took me in. She mentored me and I still work with her now almost 10 years later. She’s the one who really introduced me to what arts administration is and what it can be. I didn’t have that terminology at the time, but she’s the one that introduced me to the structure, the logistics; all of the work behind the scenes, what makes it possible for art to be possible.
After I graduated from IU, with my journalism degree, I started working, right away, for IU Communications but I stayed really close with the African American Arts Institute. Professor Rosa actually hired me to work on the dance workshop that we host every year and exposes people to dance of the African diaspora by bringing Black dance artists from all over the country here to Bloomington, Indiana. That was my first taste of arts administration. I helped recruit over 65 high school students to come through our scholarship program. It was really fulfilling to see how all my emails, all my phone calls, my recruitment and outreach efforts could turn into something real for these young, pre-college students who got to come to IU, be exposed to higher education, and especially to see themselves reflected in the artists who were teaching. We brought in Black dance artists and Black dances because Black dance is not as valued or made as accessible as European dance. I got to do that job with Professor Iris Rosa and then, once a full-time position opened up with the African American Arts Institute, I was fortunate enough to get that opportunity, and I’ve been working with them for the last five years, as the events and communications specialist.
Q: And how did you find yourself here at the MAAA program?
A: I was kind of mentored into arts administration. I didn’t know that’s what I wanted to do, but thanks to my mentor, these wonderful relationships, and nurturing opportunities through the African American Arts Institute, I became an arts administrator. And then, because I found myself here at IU doing arts administration work, I said, “Well, I might as well get a master’s degree to expand.” My only experience in arts administration had been this one organization and thankfully, because of the master’s program, it’s been able to allow me to expand beyond that and get a much broader understanding of arts administration and, of course, connect with other arts administrators.
I’ve truly been transformed by the African American Arts Institute and that led me to pursue my master’s degree. I have been a part-time student for the last three years, but I’m on track to graduate this summer. I’m really excited that it’s been feasible for me to both work full-time, and pursue my master’s degree at one of the most competitive, and one of the top ranking programs. It was a no-brainer for me to stay here at IU and take advantage of the fact that I get tuition benefits as a full-time employee.
I’ve also had a unique experience, in that I’ve got to oversee MAAA students, over the last few years. Before I was in this program, I was managing students who were graduate assistants in my office and students in the MAAA Program. That was actually part of my introduction to MAAA. It’s been a unique and special way to get close to people and meet people.
Q: What would you say are some of the pros and cons of being a part-time student?
A: I will say, part of me wishes that I could have been full-time in the program because I do see my peers and I see all the benefits of immersing yourself fully into this experience.
My professional experience allowed me to waive my internship and my practicum projects which, on one hand, is amazing because it has allowed me to expedite my master’s degree, and has made it feasible for me to complete this program in a timely manner, as well as continue working full-time. But another part of me realizes that I may have missed out on something that could have broadened my perspectives even more. Connecting with more people and seeing what it would be like working with another arts organization. So, I definitely see the benefits of my peers who have immersed in this program full-time.
And, of course, getting really close with your cohort. That’s been a challenge for me. I’m so busy just doing my job and going to class and just trying to get my stuff done that I find that I don’t really have a whole lot of time to connect with people in a way that I think, if you are in this program full-time, you would. So, for those reasons, I would say, if you can do this program full-time, I would recommend it but if you do find yourself in my position, where you’re able to balance full-time work with the benefits of a salary and the support of the university, it’s also possible. I’m also fortunate that my work is in arts administration. So, I think it might be a little bit different for somebody who’s working in a totally different field and then trying to do this program simultaneously.
An incredible thing for me is that I’ve been able to apply all the things I’m learning in class to my job. Actually, it was Professor Gahl-Mills, our amazing director, who said to me, “Use your job as your laboratory. Everything that you’re learning in class, apply it, experiment, and see how it goes.” So, that’s been really helpful and has really empowered me to merge my education and my work.
Q: What’s been your favorite part of the program thus far?
A: For me, the best experience within the MAAA Program, so far, has been taking Professor Gahl-Mills’ classes. They have just been so valuable. The way she instructs. The way that she brings in guest speakers–people in the field–has just been, like, everything that I wanted and more. And then, of course, her. She is such an encouragement, extremely understanding, and makes sure that everything we learn is super practical and applicable. Her leadership seminar course was transformative for me. And so, I have to say that that was the highlight of the program for me.
Something I do appreciate about this program is that we have people from all different artistic disciplines and artistic backgrounds. Some people came here directly after their undergraduate career, studying music, or theater, or whatever their artistic discipline was. Then, you’ve got people like me who have been working and decided to pursue a degree at some point. Especially with my visual arts folks, it’s just been great to have the opportunity to work with them and hear their perspectives, it’s just a world that I’m not familiar with. And that’s, kind of, the whole point of being in a program like this, to connect with folks that you otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to.
Q: What’s been the most challenging part of the program thus far?
A: The most challenging is balancing my full-time work with my part-time education. And it’s been a good learning experience for me. At times, I beat myself up because I find that I’m not excelling as much in my academics as if I were full-time.. But again, like I said, the benefit for me is being able to apply those things to my job and vice versa. And, I think that’s been nice, as well, that I do have a different perspective. And so, I try to offer that in my classes of, “Hey.” You know, “Here’s my perspective, as somebody who’s–” You know, “–Working full-time.” Or maybe, I’ve already experienced working with presenters; and writing contracts; and working with the union labor. All of those things that I’ve already dealt with, I can apply to class and bring to our discussions.
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: I truly believe that the arts are the conduit to change, and change meaning the personal, allowing yourself the opportunity to see a different perspective, feel a different emotion, have a transformative experience personally but then also change within our communities. In a more casual setting I’ll explain that what I do as an arts administrator is everything that it takes to make the art possible. My job is like 95% phone calls, emails, and meetings. All the phone calls, emails, meetings, all the infrastructure, all of those things are what make art and transformative experiences possible. That’s what I do.
Q: And how would you describe Arts Administration to a ten year old?
A: I think back to my younger self, and when I was first exposed to a performance that just really opened my eyes. I remember having school convocations and we had a dance company come in and perform at my elementary school. The fact that they planned that experience for us, put in all the work, all the arts administration work, to make that possible for us young artists… So to explain it to a kid: this artwork that you’re looking at, this performance that you’re looking at, that song that you love, this thing that you’re experiencing right now, it takes a whole lot of people to make that possible! So, you see that dancer on stage, you see that vocalist? There are tens, maybe hundreds of people behind the curtain, behind the scenes, who make it possible and help that person get to where they are to share their creativity.
Q: If you were to meet someone who might be considering a degree and a career in Arts Administration, what would you say to them?
A: Well, if you’re considering a degree in arts administration from Indiana University in the O’Neill School, I would encourage you to do it. If you’re not really sure exactly which area you would want to pursue, that will be revealed to you through the broadness of the program. That’s the strength of this program. If I came in without prior experience, maybe I was a performer and I just was interested in arts administration, this program allows you that space to explore and realize what’s a good fit for you from all the amazing classes that we get to take.
But also, you have to love working with artists. They’re a particular breed, an amazing kind of person. That’s why I’m doing this job, because I love working with artists. I love the quirky weirdos that I get to work with day-to-day. Particularly, at my job at the African American Arts Institute, I get to work with three extremely unique ensembles, and three extremely unique artistic directors. I tell people I have a dictionary for each different director because they’re just such unique artists.
And tying into O’Neill’s tagline of, “Leading For the Greater Good.” I think, if you want to go into arts administration, you need to love people. You need to love serving communities. You need to love wanting to make a positive change, a positive difference. Everything else will kind of fall into place. You’ll learn the skills and you’ll figure out your career path, but I think you need to have that foundation, within.
Q: What advice would you give to fellow peers and fellow arts administrators?
A: The advice I would give you, entering this MAAA Program, is, truly jump in. It sounds so cliche, but it’s true! Really jump into all the things. Bloomington is unique. We have this unique, weird, little college town that has the IU Auditorium right next to where you’re taking a class, right next to the Grunwald Gallery and the IU Cinema. There’s the Black Film Archive, the African American Arts Institute, the Archive of African American Music and Culture. There are all these incredible resources, here in Bloomington, Indiana, that’s just an oasis. This academic, creative, research focused community that you can truly find yourself in. And so, I would encourage people starting this program to, of course, invest in your coursework, do well in your academic career, but also, really jump into all the artistic opportunities available to you, both on campus and off campus, with your cohort and beyond.
Q: What’s on your arts and culture bucket list?
A: Dance gives me life and dance has connected me to people and places that I could have never imagined. So, I will say, I am getting to check off one of my bucket list items this summer, thanks to O’Neill. I’m going to Senegal and The Gambia through the O’Neill International Studies Office. It’s not a MAAA Course. It’s actually in, like, environmental science and sustainability. So, that’s a total stretch for me, but a plus of this program is that you get electives that allow you to study anything. That’s given me the opportunity to go to West Africa and I already study West African Dance. So, I’m planning to stick around after that three week course to study dance in Dakar, Senegal. That’s one of my bucket list things that I’m getting to do, thanks to O’Neill. Alvin Ailey is one of those dream organizations and Urban Bush Women is another dream organization. Basically all the Black dance companies in New York City that I really hope I get to work with someday. I don’t think of a particular production. I just want to work with those folks, and I know I will. So, that’s why I’m excited to move to the next chapter of my career.
Q: What are your thoughts about graduating? What path are you thinking about?
A: It is scary to leave the comfy space of grad school, and also the comfy space within my current job. I am at that place where I’m imagining, “Okay, what’s next? What do I want to do with this thing that I’ve acquired here, over the last, several years?” I know one thing about myself is the people that I want to serve. I want to serve Black dance artists and help them bring their art to more people. We have this reckoning right now, within arts organizations, within our nation, really, and the world, where people are realizing that Black artists have been neglected, exploited, and denied access. Harkening back to what I mentioned of having this foundational desire to serve, for me, I want to serve those particular artists. And so, we’ll see what shape that takes! My path, thus far, has been very much like a door that has opened and I’ve walked through it. There’s been this world that I didn’t know existed that I had a place within. That’s how I feel about the next chapter of my career. These doors are going to open. I’m prepared to walk through them. And we’ll see what that job title actually is, or where it is. But I do have confidence in myself that I’ve been prepared by this program. I’ve been prepared by my previous experience, and I’m excited!
Q: Favorite work of art (any art form, genre)
A: My childhood was totally shaped by movies and the one movie musical that will always be my all-time favorite is The Sound of Music.
Currently though, the art that I connect with the most is the art that I’m helping to produce. So, the work of Baba Stafford Berry, who’s the current director of the African American Dance Company, here at IU. He’s had this incredible career, prior to coming to Indiana University, working with the best dance companies and being assistant director of Baba Chuck Davis’ African Dance Ensemble, which is just an iconic company within the dance field. Getting to work with him and help him produce his art is extremely fulfilling. I encourage people to come see these performances because the art that really changes your life might just be around the corner here because that’s been my experience.