Alum Cameron Lane (MET’21) Relishes Job Encouraging Teen Artists to Pursue Their Goals

Cameron Lane (MET’21)
Artists For Humanity, Sales and Community Outreach Associate
MS, Arts Administration

This interview was originally published in fall 2021. Cameron has since accepted the position of Operations Manager for the Boston Children’s Chorus.

Why did you choose MET for your graduate studies? What set MET apart from other programs you were considering?
I chose MET for the global perspective on the art world that the program champions. Now more than ever, the performing and visual arts are constantly shifting and evolving across the world. I felt that BU MET had the most expansive viewpoint when considering factors outside of America. I was also drawn to the opportunity to travel and study abroad through the program, as well as to the artistic ecosystem that is Boston.

Were you able to use faculty as a resource? Is there a particular faculty member who enhanced your experience at MET?
Yes, many of the faculty members were fantastic resources to me as I went through the program, particularly Blair Hollis, Lauren O’Neal, Wendy Grossman, and Tomasz Kierul. I felt seen and understood by all these faculty members, and my aspirations were considered as I moved forward in the curriculum.

Did earning your degree lead to a different career focus, or broaden the scope of opportunity within your existing line of work? Can you share your perspective on that?
Well, I came to BU knowing exactly what I wanted to do and achieve, and I feel I am moving toward that goal steadily and surely since graduation. In that vein, I think my position right now is a step towards achieving that goal. I’m thankful to BU and all those who have supported me to this point for making that possible.

What specific elements of your MET studies were essential to expanding your career opportunities? Consider faculty or student support, quality of instruction, course projects, or other elements of your program that were critical for your success.
There were many aspects and projects that helped me expand to where I am now. But I think the most useful element was how the program broadened my perspective while grounding it in reality. From in-depth conversations with fellow students and professors from all over the world, inside the classroom and out, to projects designed around neighborhoods and communities both familiar and not—those were the essential moments that allowed me to grow. The conversations about how we would like to change the world through artistic, community-focused policies, and figuring out how to initiate those changes through various strategies, provided an atmosphere that encouraged me to keep growing.

While attending the program, you worked with the BU Arts Initiative. How did that experience complement or enhance your studies?
My job with the Arts Initiative was a fantastic experience that I was able to maintain throughout my time at BU. I’m extremely grateful for that opportunity. I also worked for SPARK and Ziba Cranmer in the computer science department, which added to my professional experiences. Both positions gave me valuable administrative and managerial experience, along with the chance to connect with fellow employees and students. Through both jobs, I was able to take an active leadership role in multiple creative fields, and flesh out the ways I like to work with artists, creatives, innovators, and friends.

Honestly, that is what made the experience unforgettable: working with friends—people that had their own goals, passions, interests, and visions—and helping them while also creating positive creative and innovative programs for BU and the city at large. These experiences gave me a plethora of chances to define myself and get in touch with my peers’ desires for the future—and then hold on to and consider those views along with my own as I progressed. That complemented my education because I feel there is such a stress on interpersonal relations in this field—being in tune with your surroundings and the people in those places.

You’re currently working at Artists For Humanity – what are your responsibilities and how did the program prepare you to take on this role?
Yes! I work at Artists For Humanity, where I am the sales and community associate. If you’re not familiar with AFH, we’re a nonprofit in South Boston that gives under-resourced teen artists from the many neighborhoods of Boston the chance to make money through creative employment. We have a variety of studios, led by mentors who are accomplished artists in their own right, which employ teen artists. Our partner companies range from clothing lines and large corporations to small businesses; and our projects from home-grown, long-range development plans to creating a brand design for a start-up. We really do it all: graphic design, painting, photography, 3D design, computer science and creative technology, video, and animation.

My job is to find these jobs and bring them into the studios. We work with clients to create opportunities based on their development and their creative goals. That includes nurturing existing professional relationships as well as exploring other industries. All this gives teenagers opportunities to grow, while showing them that we value them, their contribution, and their social and artistic perspectives. At the end of the day, the teenagers are our focal point, and our organization revolves around giving them a voice.

I also work in community outreach. I’m in constant communication with various initiatives and nonprofits in our teen artists’ neighborhoods about future opportunities for our artists to make positive change in their communities. We are in close contact with the Boston Planning & Development Agency as well as developers who are working to diversify and improve conditions in the city.

Another facet of my job is looking for ways to extend our organization’s scope beyond traditional goals. My experience working for SPARK and the Arts Initiative and studying at BU provided me with many things, but the most important ones were a sense of comfort and confidence. BU gave me opportunities to share my vision for the art world and receive feedback. Because of this, I trust my perspective and my approach, and I can confidently support and represent the artists I work with to help them meet their needs, desires, and dreams.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who is considering applying to this program?
Well this is a small aside—but I promise it leads somewhere! When I decided to come to BU for arts administration it was with a purpose. I wanted to start a business that would help others overcome the obstacles I personally experienced in my own artistic pursuits, and create new solutions to nurture and support a new generation of creatives. I held on to that goal before and during my entire time in the masters program. I still hold it. I developed it further with every class, expanded it with every new perspective I received, and talked about it every chance I got: “What if we could create something like this?” “Why don’t we think a little bigger?” “Is that enough, can’t we do better?” “There are artists all over the world that struggle in different ways; how can we consider them and their situations, too?” Even now, I’m constantly trying to push things beyond what we’re familiar or comfortable with in art with the goal of starting a business a few years down the line that can hold this vision and make things better. By no means am I saying that everyone should do that, or constantly prod yourself for answers! What I am saying is that studying in this degree program is both an opportunity and a luxury. If you decide to come to BU, use this time to stretch yourself and understand that being a leader gives you a responsibility for those you lead. The art world needs good leaders with a vision for the future that considers everyone’s perspective and embraces positive change and innovation. Use this time to develop that vision—not just for you, but for those you will affect in your career. Don’t be afraid to push boundaries or dream of solutions. Start with an idea and then slowly bring it to reality.

Published September 2024