Ben Hires (’03)

Ben Hires graduated from the Arts Administration program in 2003 while working at the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra and the New England String Ensemble. He grew up in New Jersey and enrolled in Boston University to study Philosophy and Political Science as an undergraduate. He also received a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from BU. As an alumnus, Ben discovered the Arts Administration program by auditing former Assistant Director Richard Maloney’s Art World class. He found the course extremely interesting and decided to enroll after hearing about everything the program had to offer.

Since 2009, Ben has been the Director of Programs at the Boston Children’s Chorus, where he’s responsible for overseeing everything from auditions and rehearsals to performances and tours. He was also the president of the Arts Administration Alumni Association for six years until November 2016. In this interview, he speaks about his current job, previous positions, and experience in the program.

How did the Arts Administration help you explore your career options and get to where you are today?

Like many others, I was an Arts Administration student while I was working. The program was helpful to contextualize things that I was doing at work – for example, the operations that my organization was involved in. Aspects related to the board of an organization were new to me at the time – so it was really good to learn about that.

Were there any classes in particular that you would recommend to current and prospective students?

I would recommend the Public and Political Advocacy class; the Marketing and Audience Development class is also very good. These days, a lot of classes have case studies, so you actually learn about the real world and do projects on organizations.

You have been working with the Boston Children’s Chorus as the Director of Programs for more than seven years. Could you tell us about your work with the organization?

My main duties are to oversee and manage everything we do as an organization, both internal and external. From recruitment and auditions to rehearsals, performances, and travelling on trips and tours – it all comes under my preview. I’m also involved in many aspects of the organization’s operations, such as marketing and fundraising. I serve on a number of board committees and am involved in cultivating and engaging donors.

You’ve also worked with a number of other musical organizations, such as the New England String Ensemble and the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras. How did this work experience help you get to where you are today?

For me, all my previous experience allowed me to expand my professional network. I’ve moved up to new roles due to previous connections and my work with other organizations.

Based on your experience, what does an organization look for in an arts administrator?

Typical characteristics – like dedication and initiative – are really important to arts organizations. Many nonprofits depend on staff members who give 110%. They need someone who’s willing to learn and get the job done. Another big one – which is not necessarily a skill – is really caring about the work you do. Caring about relationships and the people involved is important.

Can you tell us about your role as the president of the Arts Administration Alumni Association for six years?

I was moved to get engaged and get involved with the Alumni Association because I felt that I could help other people. I had benefited from being connected to alumni before, and I wanted to try to continue those connections. It’s been great to be the leader of the group and I hope people have benefited from the things we tried to do, like hold networking events, have directories to connect different alumni, and get professors to come and speak to us. I know the new leaders of the group will continue that work.

Please tell us about a recent accomplishment that’s meaningful to you.

I think I’ve just been fortunate enough to be involved in a number of different organizations, and I want to continue to give back to my local arts community. I was recently appointed Secretary at Urbanity Dance [a Boston-based contemporary dance company] and Treasurer at the Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation. I’m proud to be recognised as a leader in the community and I’m happy to share my experiences and knowledge as best as I can.

Have you experienced any setbacks in your career? What did you learn from them?

This isn’t exactly a setback, but I have learned to work with a lot of different people. You’re not necessarily going to work with someone with whom you always get along or agree. A diversity of opinions is important because it strengthens the idea on the table.  I’ve come to learn how to embrace and try to foster many different voices.

Do you see any major challenges or issues in today’s arts industry?

There are the priorities that funders are looking for – but folks have always needed to deal with that issue. People in the arts sector simply need to keep being creative and as cutting-edge as possible because the most successful organizations are the ones who continue to do that. It’s always about challenging yourself and making the most impact in the most creative ways.

How do you stay up-to-date with news in the arts industry?

I try to stay locally involved and read local publications, like the Boston Globe, the Boston Business Journal, and the New York Times to keep up-to-date. I keep up with politics and other international news as well. I try to keep track of news with information from different sectors specific to my work and my field.

Do you have any advice for current and prospective students?

The advice I would give is to meet as many people as possible, get engaged, and be a volunteer. Being involved in many different sectors allows you to be well-rounded and educated on what is happening in the community.  This can open up new doors and spur creative ideas for you to accomplish your work. In the end all of this knowledge and these connections will help you be indispensable to a future employer.

Interview conducted by Shwetali Sapte.