Ben Hires (’03)

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Alumni Spotlight Interview

Ben Hires has been the Director of Programs at the nationally recognized Boston Children’s Chorus (BCC) since 2009. At the chorus he oversees the planning and implementation of all mission related social equity and choir activities as well as contributes to the strategic direction of the organization. He graduated from the Arts Administration Program in 2003 while working at the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras and was the Executive Director of the New England String Ensemble.

Using music as a catalyst for addressing some of the country’s most pressing issues on race, socio-economics and gender equity inspires Ben everyday. The shifting racial and socio-economic demographics in Greater Boston and across the USA require the arts to evolve and address society’s needs as the most relevant art always does. To that end, Ben champions arts in his local community by serving on the board of Urbanity Dance and the Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation, the Executive Committee of the Harvard-Allston Public Realm Flexible Fund, Community Chair for the Boston Creates Arts and Cultural Planning Process, College Access Mentor at the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center and President of the BU Arts Administration Alumni Association.

Ben is a Triple Terrier and has a BA in Philosophy and Political Science and a MasterĀ in Theological Studies from Boston University. He lives in Boston with his wife, Tina, also an Arts Administration Alumni.

“Over ten year’s later the Arts Administration program still provides me a rich network of colleagues and connections who I value for their experience and expertise, and I am inspired by the new generation of students and the art they want to bring to the world.”