My work as an arts manager inspired me to become a professor. I worked at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and thought a lot about the institutions, people, and funding that supported this interesting, quasi-public/nonprofit organization. I was particularly intrigued with the ways that the state—federal, state, and local governments—support the arts. This led me to public administration. Ultimately, I am inspired to teach and advance research in the field of arts management because I want great arts organizations to be around for all to enjoy 100 years from now.

2.) What area(s) of the arts are you most passionate about?

Chamber music, large-scale symphonic works (Mahler, Bruckner, Shostakovich), and vocal music. Anything Renee Fleming touches is gold. Although I’m a super fan now, I hardly even knew who she was when I started my career at the Kennedy Center. I was in charge of a concert that featured her with the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap one summer (an outdoor venue in the DC area). The electricity went out and she performed to a huge crowd in the dark supported only with emergency lighting and the stars. It was awesome.

3.) Are you involved in any research at the moment? How might this research play a role in the classes you teach?

I’m currently working on a project with a co-author centered on how we prepare and expect arts managers to be culturally fluent—or engage in global contexts. For so long, our version of arts management has been US centric in response to our unique funding system. Now more than ever, arts managers are engaging with artists and organizations all over the world. I don’t know that we are appropriately cultivating and demanding this skill from our profession.

4.) Do you have any advice for students interested in the arts who might be considering the Arts Management Program?

Think about finding and developing your niche in arts management. What, specifically, do you want to bring to an organization? How will you develop those niche skills during your time in college? I like that students have room in the arts management program to specialize in an area, or take on an additional major or minor to craft skills and understanding that will appeal to employers post-graduation.

5.) To round you out as a person, tell us a bit more about yourself. What are your hobbies? Favorite music, film, food, etc.? Having recently moved to Charleston, what are your impressions of the city?

Outside of my professor life, I spend all other spare moments with my two-year-old daughter, Jane and my husband, Michael. Needless to say, my live performance-going experiences have changed a bit. Now, we seek out kid-friendly, matinee shows (sometimes about princesses), and spend lots of time outside. I’m actually not much of a beach person. We vacation at the Great Lakes, and visit family in the mountains for real hiking and the occasional snow. Also, horses, yoga, and sushi. All of those things.

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Q&A with Dr. Jason White

1.) Where did you study and what inspired you to become a professor?

I’m a graduate from the California Institute of the Arts (BFA), The University of Akron (MA & M.Ed.) and The Ohio State University (PhD). I became a professor to help arts students address 21^st century issues, co-develop solutions to common challenges, and organize new opportunities in arts and related entertainment fields.

2.) What area(s) of the arts are you most passionate about?

Arts Entrepreneurship, which Linda Essig defines as a means-ends process in which artists form firms or otherwise undertake entrepreneurial action toward the end of creating art sustainably.

3.) Are you involved in any research at the moment? 

I’m currently involved in a CofC research study entitled, The Re-birth of The Dance: An action research study in arts entrepreneurship practice. The purpose of the study is to identify an arts-based venture opportunity, to engage in arts entrepreneurship practice, capture the venture experience as it occurs, and provide new understandings on the process. To the best of my knowledge, it’s the first use of action research method in the emerging research field of arts entrepreneurship.

4.) Do you have any advice for students interested in arts who might be considering the Arts Management Program?

Sure. Contrary to popular belief, arts management is not easier than business management. The former is often more challenging because when making decisions, arts managers have to balance artistic objectives with business considerations in order to be successful. The tension between art and business is something that business managers do not have to deal with, because in business, financial profit is the primary measure of success.

That being said, my advice is that if you are going to declare Arts Management as your major at CofC, you need to understand that arts management is hard work. So get ready to work!

5.) To round you out as a person, tell us a bit more about yourself. What are your hobbies? Favorite music, film, food, etc.?

Hobbies – playing video games, long-distance running and biking, watching movies, producing electronic music, outdoor adventures and excursions

Favorite music – everything except heavy metal

Top 5 favorite movies – The Shawshank Redemption, The Passion of the Christ, Malcolm X, Forrest Gump, Inception/The Dark Knight (close tie)