{"id":89230,"date":"2024-09-12T11:20:46","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T15:20:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/met\/?page_id=89230"},"modified":"2026-03-13T16:44:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T20:44:40","slug":"stories","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/met\/programs\/arts-cultural-management\/stories\/","title":{"rendered":"Arts & Cultural Management Student Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
Back to Programs<\/a>Arts & Cultural Management<\/a><\/div>\n

Our graduates are united by the major goal they have achieved\u2014attaining a graduate education from one of the most respected research universities in the world. Read on to experience their stories.<\/p>\n

\"Headshot\r\n

“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\u2014those 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.” Read more.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nCameron Lane (MET\u201921)<\/strong>
\r\nOperations Manager, Boston Children's Chorus<\/strong>
\r\nMS, Arts Administration<\/em>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Headshot\r\n

“I am currently the Associate Director for Marketing, Media, and Communication for BU\u2019s 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.” Read more.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nMegan West Kagstrom (MET'22)<\/strong>
\r\nAssistant Director of Marketing, Media & Communication, Boston University Kilachand Honors College<\/strong>
\r\nMS, Arts Administration<\/em>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Headshot\r\n

“I have started working at the Broadway Education Alliance, helmed by Susan Lee, who teaches Current Trends in the Performing Arts Industry (MET AR 753). While it isn't a permanent placement, it has allowed me to directly engage the skills I learned in the program in the larger arts community. It's given me a title that makes me more marketable and has put me in the room with several industry leaders in the business I want to transition into!” Read more.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nEvan Alexander LaChance (MET'23)<\/strong>
\r\nGeneral Manager, Broadway Education Alliance Inc.<\/strong>
\r\nMS, Arts Administration; Graduate Certificate, Commercial Theater Development<\/em>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Headshot\r\n

“Before I started at MET, I worked primarily in patron services and box office but knew I wanted to shift into development. Making that transition can be challenging, but I started taking courses within the Fundraising Management Graduate Certificate program almost immediately upon getting to BU. Because of what I learned in these courses, I got my first role on the Jacob\u2019s Pillow philanthropy team and was promoted to my current position upon completing the program. The start of my entire career in fundraising is thanks to MET.” Read more.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nKristin Reeves (MET'22)<\/strong>
\r\nMembership & Individual Support Manager, Jacob\u2019s Pillow<\/strong>
\r\nMS, Arts Administration; Graduate Certificate, Fundraising Management<\/em>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Headshot\r\n

“In my previous role as communications and marketing manager at a community music school, I was able to directly apply the grant writing skills I learned from instructor Michael Ibrahim in Raising Funds and Grant Writing for Nonprofit Organizations (MET AR 550). I helped the organization find grants through prospect research and created a case resource file, budget, and letter of inquiry for them. Thanks to what I learned in that course, I helped the organization apply for 21 grants (of which 19 received funding!).” Read more.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nCassandra Pearson (MET'24)<\/strong>
\r\nDevelopment Manager, The Irish Repertory Theatre<\/strong>
\r\nMS, Arts Administration; Graduate Certificate, Fundraising Management<\/em>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Headshot\r\n

“When I think about the multitude of possibilities that BU offered and continues to provide me with, the network of professionals that I have access to, and the sense that I belong to a community of great and future leaders, [I'd] definitely [call it] an excellent investment in my career and personal life.” Read more.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nClaudia Fiks (MET'17)<\/strong>
\r\nFounder and Director, New England Art Center;
\r\nCo-Director, Newton Open Studios;
\r\nFounder, Arts Administration Association New England<\/strong>
\r\nMS, Arts Administration; Graduate Certificate, Fundraising Management<\/em>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Headshot\r\n

“My master\u2019s degree taught me what I needed to know not only to set in motion my career in arts administration but to prepare me for senior leadership. What I learned about the industry, best practices, management, and fundraising were essential to meeting my goals.” Read more.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nJaclyn Dentino (MET\u201915)<\/strong>
\r\nDirector of Development, Longy School of Music<\/strong>
\r\nMS, Arts Administration<\/em>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Headshot\r\n

“The Arts Administration program really set me up for success in my career. My first job after the program came from a connection that I made with a speaker after a class and so many of the people in the arts in Boston are either alums of this program or are pursuing their masters at BU. I find myself putting the things that I learned into practice in my day-to-day and definitely grateful for my time spent in the program.” Read more.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nBrendon Mason (MET\u201912)<\/strong>
\r\nSenior Manager, Social and Community Impact, Nike<\/strong>
\r\nMS, Arts Administration<\/em>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Headshot\r\n

“The Arts Administration program at BU helped my trajectory\u2026 It gave me the global perspective of the arts industry and the tangibility of learning about fundraising and philanthropy to help support arts organizations.” Read more.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nKati Nalbandian (MET\u201922)<\/strong>
\r\nSenior Manager of Membership, Mass MoCA<\/strong>
\r\nMS, Arts Administration<\/em>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Headshot\r\n

“For my required internship [during the program] I did one internship in marketing. Right before I graduated, I didn\u2019t know if I wanted to work in marketing or development. I decided to take another internship at Westport Country Playhouse that had housing and a stipend.” Read more.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nLaura Frye (MET\u201906)<\/strong>
\r\nDirector of Development for the School of Fine Arts, University of Connecticut<\/strong>
\r\nMS, Arts Administration<\/em>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Headshot\r\n

“The program gave me a sense of the career paths that are available\u2026 The program helped me network within the community\u2026 Learning about and getting involved with these organizations led me to where I am now.” Read more.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nMatthew Dickey (MET\u201913)<\/strong>
\r\nDeputy Director, Boston Preservation Alliance<\/strong>
\r\nMS, Arts Administration<\/em>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Headshot\r\n

“I\u2019m very impressed by the knowledgeable, expert, approachable, compassionate professors in the program. The courses I\u2019ve taken consist of a very diverse group of artists and professionals and I learn so much just from my colleagues.” Read more.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nClaire Fassnacht (MET\u201917)<\/strong>
\r\nDirector of Development, Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art; Director, Chicago Balinese Gamelan<\/strong>
\r\nMS, Arts Administration<\/em>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Headshot\r\n

“The MS in Arts Administration is a program rooted in everyday practice and offers many opportunities for students to engage diverse aspects of their interests... My time at MET offered me an exciting opportunity to gain diverse perspectives on strategic, hands-on arts management while being part of Boston\u2019s innovation ecosystem... The skills I gained can be applied across the board\u2014in the arts, social impact consulting, fundraising, and beyond. That is exactly what I\u2019m doing right now.” Read more.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nPriya Krishnamoorthy (MET\u201919)<\/strong>
\r\nFounder, 200 Million Artisans (Mumbai, India)<\/strong>
\r\nMS, Arts Administration<\/em>\r\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

What to Read Next: MET Arts & Cultural Management Knowledge Center<\/h2>\r\n