Megan West Kagstrom
Megan West Kagstrom (MET’22)
Assistant Director of Marketing, Media & Communication, Boston University Kilachand Honors College
MS, Arts Administration
What do you find most fascinating about the discipline of Arts Administration? Do you have a particular focus within the broader field?
I think what I am most fascinated, or excited by, is simply the fact that as an arts administrator I get to help empower artists to create art. The work that arts administrators do might not be what the community comes to see, but that work is still so important to the process. We help coordinate the logistics and obtain the funding and develop marketing plans—all creative tasks within themselves and all done to empower art.
Before moving to Boston to get my master’s, I worked as a production manager and stage manager for an educational theater program. As a professional, my focus has always been in theater management, and I really enjoy working in education.
Did you always intend on going back to school, or did the need arise at a particular moment?
Since finishing my undergrad, I have actually thought about returning to school a couple of times. When I first graduated, my plan was to work in theater for a few years and then go back to get my nursing degree. However, because I was able to maintain steady work and I really enjoyed my job, I stayed in theater. At one point I looked into getting my master’s in production management, and even toured BU’s MFA program, where I found out about this Arts Administration program. Finally, I decided I had waited long enough and I was ready to get back into school and learn new skills, which led me back to BU for this amazing program.
Congratulations on your high achievement in the Master of Science in Arts Administration program and your Award for Excellence in your studies! Looking back, what do you consider to be the main ingredients of your success?
Thank you so much, I feed truly honored to receive this award! Personally, I have always enjoyed school and learn well in a classroom environment. So that definitely helped! As my classmates can attest to, I loved participating in classroom discussion and wasn’t shy about asking questions. I took full advantage of that time with our faculty and other students.
I also found that it was really valuable to have worked in nonprofit arts before this program. There were so many moments where I could relate what we were learning back to my past experience. While I don’t think this is necessary to succeed in the program, I know that for me it enhanced my learning.
How were you able to successfully balance your studies with your commitments outside the classroom?
I won’t lie, this was challenging. I worked full-time during this program, and with the addition of classes twice a week, there are only so many hours in the day! To help keep track of everything I kept a detailed planner, which was very helpful. I also have a wonderful husband who was very supportive and understanding. He would remind me often that taking time for rest and fun—not just working all the time—is important!
How do you plan to apply the skills and competencies you gained during your studies moving forward? What is next in store for you?
I am currently the associate director for marketing, media, and communication for BU’s Kilachand Honors College. So, I certainly use skills that I have learned through my marketing and data analytics classes in this role. Also, my husband has a small business, and I am able to help him think through the logistical needs of the company (outside of the actual product) and brainstorm ways to obtain clients.
That said, I would love to get back into the arts and am always interested in what opportunities are available!
You were recognized by faculty and peers for your hard work and dedication to the Arts Administration program. What “words of advice” or encouragement have served as a guiding principle, or simply inspiration, for you?
This will sound very unconventional but after my first semester in this program, a wise friend gave me the challenge, “try to get a B.” Of course, I didn’t, but the spirit behind that challenge did help me a lot. By nature, I am a perfectionist and I spend a lot of time overthinking my work and am grades focused. But I didn’t go to grad school to get more A’s, I went to grad school to learn new skills. Instead of stressing out about whether my assignment would get the best grade, I was encouraged to focus on what I was learning and if I felt confident in my understanding of the subject. Grad school is about expanding your knowledge, learning practical skills, and making connections. Those are the important things to focus on and those will help make sure you get the most out of your program.