9:00am EST
9:45am EST
Symposium Welcome
Friday February 14, 2025 9:45am - 10:00am EST
Speakers 
Director of Certificates in Creative Social Entrepreneurship, University of Kentucky
Jaleesa Renee Wells Ph.D. is a creative social entrepreneur, art and social scientist, and transdisciplinary scholar investigating the intersections between culture, society, and enterprise. Her current research projects focus on creative social entrepreneurship and innovation; Black...
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10:00am EST
Pivoting Paths: Women Who Embrace Mid-Career Transformation
Friday February 14, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am EST
Speakers 
Assistant Professor of Arts Management, College of Charleston
Dr. Rebecca (Bex) Ferrell (they/she) is a dance advocate, artist, educator, consultant, and researcher. They hold a BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University, an MFA in Dance from Arizona State University, and a PhD in Arts Administration from the University...
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Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky
Leah Hamilton is an Assistant Professor of Arts Administration at the University of Kentucky. Her research focus is on the intersection of arts, sociology, and emergency management, specifically in disaster management policy. Her most recent research was just released in summer of...
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Instructor / Director of the Music Industry Concentration, College of Charleston
HEATHER MCDONALD is an Instructor of Arts Management and the Director of the Music Industry Concentration at the College of Charleston. In addition to her teaching role, she is the faculty supervisor of the college's
1770 Records, a student run record label committed to educating students in the music business and supporting local music, and the Women and Nonbinary in Music Club. Heather has worked in nearly all aspects of the music industry, from independent record labels to acting as manager and buyer of a record store to tour booking...
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Chair and Professor, University of Kentucky
Dr. Rachel Shane is the Gary B. Knapp Endowed Chair of Arts Administration and Professor at the University of Kentucky in the College of Fine Arts. She also holds a dual appointment within the Gatton College of Business and Economics. She oversees three degrees in the Department of...
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Lecturer, University of Kentucky
Melanie, a native of Williamsburg, Kentucky, is a Faculty Lecturer in Arts Administration at the University of Kentucky. She recently completed a 13-year role as Administrative Assistant in the Department of Theatre & Dance, where she also served as House Manager for the past six...
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10:00am EST
Mentorship Across Generations
Friday February 14, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am EST
Speakers 
Associate Professor, University of Kentucky
Jill Schinberg has worked for music promoters, agents, international festivals, and performing arts centers in various capacities both on the road and in venues large and small. She started her career at Hancher Auditorium at the University of Iowa and subsequently held positions...
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Professor Emerita, University of Kentucky
Dr. Geri Maschio has been arts administrator in both academe and in the profession, serving variously as a marketing director, department chair, associate dean, producer, and consultant. In 1987, Dr. Maschio founded the University of Kentucky’s Arts Administration program, one of...
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Undergraduate Student, University of Michigan
KATY DAWSON is a 3rd year student pursuing a BFA degree in Theatre Performance: Directing with a minor in Performing Arts Management and Entrepreneurship. Originally from San Diego, CA, Katy has worked and trained with theaters all across the country including The MUNY, The La Jolla...
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Undergraduate Student, University of Michigan
Reese Leif (she/her) is a senior at the University of Michigan, pursuing a Bachelor of Theatre Arts with a concentration in Performing Arts Management, along with double minors in Digital Studies and Writing. Outside of classes, she dedicates her time to various roles, including producer...
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10:00am EST
Resistance, Readiness, and Resilience Across Arts Administration
Friday February 14, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am EST
Speakers 
Associate Professor, Department Head, Drexel University
Julie Goodman joined Drexel University in the fall of 2011, and served as the graduate arts administration program’s director from 2012-2017. She was previously Executive Vice President for the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, where for twelve years she led advocacy, field...
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PhD Candidate and Adjunct Professor, Florida State University
Maclain Hardin-Kurza (she/her) is a PhD candidate in Arts Administration and Adjunct Professor at Florida State University (FSU). Her research centers around choral administration practices, nonprofit organizational resilience, and experiential approaches to arts administration curricula...
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Dr. Rachel May Smith is a visionary leader in the arts education and nonprofit sectors, with a track record of revitalizing programs, leading creative initiatives, and driving organizational growth. She has over 15 years of expertise in program management, strategic planning, and...
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11:15am EST
11:30am EST
Arts for Well-Being in Academic Medicine
Friday February 14, 2025 11:30am - 12:00pm EST
Speakers 
Office for Organizational Well-Being, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine
About the workshop: Enjoy a 'participatory-arts sampler'. Experience first-hand some of the programs delivered in Arts for Well-Being. Participants will consider how to build similar experiences from their own expertise or the interest and expertise of others on their team. Looking...
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11:30am EST
Discovering Arts Administration in the Archives: A Creative Workshop Exploring the Janis Ian Special Collection
Friday February 14, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EST
Speakers
Director of Certificates in Creative Social Entrepreneurship, University of Kentucky
Jaleesa Renee Wells Ph.D. is a creative social entrepreneur, art and social scientist, and transdisciplinary scholar investigating the intersections between culture, society, and enterprise. Her current research projects focus on creative social entrepreneurship and innovation; Black...
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Archivist, Janis Ian archives
A professional archivist and practicing artist. Currently managing the Janis Ian archives based at Berea College, Kentucky. Over ten years experience managing arts organisational / cultural, corporate business, artist(s) and higher educational archival collections.
11:30am EST
12:30pm EST
1:30pm EST
The TVT framework for surviving and changing arts & arts educational institutions
Friday February 14, 2025 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST
Speakers 
Doctoral Candidate in Museum Education | Adjunct Professor | Art Pedagogy Fellow, Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University NYC
🌱 Advocating for body-based pedagogies, justice, and transformative learning in cultural spaces 📧 Email: filippa.christofalou@gmail.com 📝 PUBLICATIONS: - Christofalou, F., & Terk, M. (2025). Bodies and spaces: Mapping acts of disembodiment and design. In Power in transformation...
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Dance Ed. Doctoral Student/ Program Associate in Arts Administration Program at Teachers College, TEACHERS COLLEGE - COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
1:30pm EST
Emotionality, Relationality, and Marginality
Friday February 14, 2025 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST
Speakers
Instructor / Director of the Music Industry Concentration, College of Charleston
HEATHER MCDONALD is an Instructor of Arts Management and the Director of the Music Industry Concentration at the College of Charleston. In addition to her teaching role, she is the faculty supervisor of the college's
1770 Records, a student run record label committed to educating students in the music business and supporting local music, and the Women and Nonbinary in Music Club. Heather has worked in nearly all aspects of the music industry, from independent record labels to acting as manager and buyer of a record store to tour booking...
Read More →
Assistant Professor of Arts Management, College of Charleston
Dr. Rebecca (Bex) Ferrell (they/she) is a dance advocate, artist, educator, consultant, and researcher. They hold a BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University, an MFA in Dance from Arizona State University, and a PhD in Arts Administration from the University...
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Centre Administrative Director, Instructor, Atlanta Ballet
Originally from Chicago, IL, KELLY TONINA (K.T.) COOPER studied dance under the leadership of Ric Rose at the University of Florida. After graduating with a BA in Advertising and a Business minor, she continued her dance education at the Dance Theater of Santa Fe at Santa Fe College...
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1:30pm EST
Technology, Leadership, and Innovation in the Arts
Friday February 14, 2025 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST
Speakers 
Graduate student/alumni, Winthrop University
I am a budding arts administration professional. I am interested in how Artificial Intelligence (AI) will impact the arts sector. I love all art forms (e.g., theater, music, visual art, etc.). My capstone covers the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Theater.
Artistic Director and Instructor, Out of Hand Theater and Emory University
Ariel Fristoe is a national leader in community engagement and business model innovation in the arts. Ariel is the founder and Artistic Director of Out of Hand Theater, winner of The New York Times Best Theater of the year, the Bloomberg Public Art Challenge, and the Governor’s...
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2:45pm EST
3:00pm EST
3:00pm EST
Data-Driven Storytelling: Transforming Arts Impact through Measurable Outcomes
Friday February 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Speakers 
Founder/CEO, Meleca Creative Advisors/Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Angela P. Meleca is an arts advocate, strategist, and founder of Meleca Creative Advisors and the Collaborative Arts Impact Initiative (CAII). Focusing on transforming how arts organizations demonstrate their impact, Angela has introduced a pioneering tool to the sector that captures...
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3:00pm EST
Our Stories: Perspectives and Reflections
Friday February 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Speakers 
General Manager, Pace University Sands College of Performing Arts
Kate Holland is currently the General Manager for the Sands College of Performing Arts at Pace University, as well as a third-year PhD student in Arts Administration at the University of Kentucky. A multi-hyphenate theatre practitioner, Kate has worked as an artist, producer, and...
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4:00pm EST
Symposium Closing Discussion
Friday February 14, 2025 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Speakers
Instructor / Director of the Music Industry Concentration, College of Charleston
HEATHER MCDONALD is an Instructor of Arts Management and the Director of the Music Industry Concentration at the College of Charleston. In addition to her teaching role, she is the faculty supervisor of the college's
1770 Records, a student run record label committed to educating students in the music business and supporting local music, and the Women and Nonbinary in Music Club. Heather has worked in nearly all aspects of the music industry, from independent record labels to acting as manager and buyer of a record store to tour booking...
Read More →
Assistant Professor of Arts Management, College of Charleston
Dr. Rebecca (Bex) Ferrell (they/she) is a dance advocate, artist, educator, consultant, and researcher. They hold a BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University, an MFA in Dance from Arizona State University, and a PhD in Arts Administration from the University...
Read More →
6:00pm EST
