Ami Scherson

Postcards from America’s Future Arts Leaders—Part 2

Posted by Ami Scherson, Aug 02, 2019 0 comments


Ami Scherson

This summer, 24 Diversity in Arts Leadership interns from all over the country are working at arts nonprofits in New York City, New Jersey, and Des Moines, Iowa for ten weeks to explore and build skills in arts administration and leadership. This series will feature our DIAL NYC cohort in two parts. Six interns are profiled here and in a previous post, six more! For 27 years, Americans for the Arts has been hosting the DIAL internship program as an investment in a more equitable arts management field. Special thanks to DIAL interns Kadiatou Balde, Andrea Lewis, and Carlos Nuñez for writing, curating, and taking photos for this post!


Jolie Saltiel

She/Her/Hers
Host Site: Mark Morris Dance Group
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
School and Major(s): SUNY Brockport, BFA in Dance and a Minor in Business Administration

At which store would you like to max out your credit card?

A plant/succulent store

If you could invent your own holiday, what would it be?

Celebrate Friends Day

If you could live in the reality of your favorite childhood cartoon, which show would you choose?

Aladdin

Why is the DIAL internship important to you at this time in your life?

DIAL has given me opportunities to dive deeply into my passions while also introducing me to new and related topics that I've never known about before. DIAL's programming has widened my view of the arts, NYC, and our world—never letting me get stuck or lost in my own head. 

What have you learned since being at your work site? Have you had any challenges or breakthroughs?

I have observed and gained perspective on how dance and the arts impact real people, every day, in so many different ways. Also, most things I thought that I knew have been challenged. 

How has it been living in New York City? Has being in NYC offered you new insight on your personal, professional or academic ambitions?

Exploring NYC has been amazing! Even though I've lived here my whole life, there are new and unique people and places around every corner and I've done SO MUCH this summer. Absorbing NYC's richness has led me to decisions about my professional goals, academic interests (and a new thesis topics), and has been a ton of fun!

Most memorable moment since DIAL started?

I'll never forget the feeling of all the 'pinch yourself' moments I've had while doing something incredible.


Alli Bennett

She/Her/Hers
Host Site: The Moth
Hometown: Chicago
School and Major(s): Amherst College, Political Science and Sexuality, Women's, and Gender Studies

At which store would you like to max out your credit card?

Madewell

If you could invent your own holiday, what would it be?

Fun answer: A federal holiday called Trade a Book Day, and it would be placed in early April to break up the stretch between President's Day and Memorial Day.

Real answer: Make election day a federal holiday.

If you could live in the reality of your favorite childhood cartoon, which show would you choose?

The Little Mermaid—every time I'm near the beach I still hope it'll happen for me.

Why is the DIAL internship important to you at this time in your life?

Having just graduated from college, and not being from NYC originally, having the opportunity to do a paid internship while settling into a new city and looking for long-term employment has been invaluable. 

What have you learned since being at your work site? Have you had any challenges or breakthroughs?

A small breakthrough, though one nonetheless, is that I could see myself continuing to work in the realm of nonfiction. The Moth's mission and work are so interesting that their divergence from the types of art I usually find myself gravitating toward isn't a hindrance at all. Which, I think, really means that it's important to make sure an organization's values align with your own.

How has it been living in New York City? Has being in NYC offered you new insight on your personal, professional or academic ambitions?

New York is a struggle—where are all your trees??? Why put garbage in front of your buildings?? But it's also a really special place, unlike anywhere else I've lived. I love being in a new city, where it feels like there are so many possibilities.

Most memorable moment since DIAL started?

Being able to be part of a judging team during our Moth site visit—it was exciting to be able to participate in that way and see that the other DIAL interns were enjoying themselves.


Kadiatou Balde 

She/Her/Hers 
Host Site: Dance/NYC
Hometown: The Bronx, NY & Darussalam, Guinea 
School and Major(s): SUNY Potsdam, majors in Biology and Speech Communications, minor in Arabic Studies

At which store would you like to max out your credit card?

Buffalo Exchange or H&M—can't seem to choose between saving the world in style or just rocking modest clothes.

If you could invent your own holiday, what would it be?

Deep Dive Day—where all families either go to counseling or just have deep conversations that address the big elephant(s) in the room. 

If you could live in the reality of your favorite childhood cartoon, which show would you choose?

The Proud Family (if you don't know this, please do yourself a favor and binge this week!)

Why is the DIAL internship important to you at this time in your life?

I'd say it has been almost necessary as it serves as my gateway from college to the "professional" world and just life in NYC. I am a native New Yorker, but this internship has made me understand the scale of how much I had been missing out. DIAL covered the financial burden and really allowed me to enjoy my summer exploring and working in the arts. Also, it has introduced me to foundations that support the arts and social justice which I am now interested in exploring further.

What have you learned since being at your work site? Have you had any challenges or breakthroughs?

A LOT! My three biggest lessons are: social justice can be systematically instituted, self-care is a radical act, and there is still so much I don't know and that is totally OKAY! 

How has it been living in New York City? Has being in NYC offered you new insight on your personal, professional or academic ambitions?

It’s been doing me so well. Granted, the subways and I don't get along, but besides that I love the culture, the people, and the experiences I've had so far. I can now fully consider myself a New Yorker. 

Most memorable moment since DIAL started?

When I saw my first live tap dance performance (one of many great moments!).


Adriana Moran Garcia

She/Her/Hers
Host Site: Creative Time
Hometown: East Harlem
School and Major(s): Franklin and Marshall College, Studio Arts 

At which store would you like to max out your credit card?

Any flower shop 

If you could invent your own holiday, what would it be?

Sun-Day: it would be on a Wednesday but we would ALL have the day off to sit in the sun.

If you could live in the reality of your favorite childhood cartoon, which show would you choose?

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Why is the DIAL internship important to you at this time in your life?

I am able to learn about different ways to accomplish my career goals this is especially helpful since I am graduating and I am deciding the next move. 

What have you learned since being at your work site? Have you had any challenges or breakthroughs?

No detail is too small when organizing and executing a public art exhibition. 

How has it been living in New York City? Has being in NYC offered you new insight on your personal, professional or academic ambitions?

There are so many different ways to be involved in the arts in NYC!

Most memorable moment since DIAL started?

Hearing funny stories at the Moth story slam.


Hannah Miao 

She/Her/Hers
Host Site: Opening Act
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
School and Major(s): Duke University, Public Policy with minors in Visual & Media Studies and Theater Studies

At which store would you like to max out your credit card?

Aritzia

If you could invent your own holiday, what would it be?

National Voting Day—let's make Election Day a national holiday please!

If you could live in the reality of your favorite childhood cartoon, which show would you choose?

Not a cartoon, but the Suite Life of Zack and Cody

Why is the DIAL internship important to you at this time in your life?

You can take all the classes you want at college, but the best way to learn is by doing. The DIAL internship has given me real-world experiences and valuable connections that have given me insights into what kind of work I want to be doing post-graduation.

What have you learned since being at your work site? Have you had any challenges or breakthroughs?

Working in the non-profit setting, you really get to experience all facets of an organization as an intern because it's "all hands on deck." It's been eye-opening to learn about how interconnected and interdependent all of the departments must be into order to run as smoothly as possible.

How has it been living in New York City? Has being in NYC offered you new insight on your personal, professional or academic ambitions?

There is never a shortage of things to do, people to see, or places to go in New York City. There are so many creative-minded people across so many different disciplines and it's hard to not be inspired by all of the really innovative work being done here. It can also be very intimidating, but I think it's a good to feel pushed and not feel too comfortable. Being in NYC has definitely solidified and cultivated my desire to work in a creative field.

Most memorable moment since DIAL started?

Dancing in Washington Square Park with some fellow DIAL interns :)


Lynn Huynh

She/Her/Hers 
Host Site: NEW INC
Hometown: Houston, Texas
School and Major(s): University of Texas at Austin, Advertising and Women's & Gender Studies

At which store would you like to max out your credit card?

Jacquemus

If you could invent your own holiday, what would it be?

A day to celebrate solidarity, intersectionality, and movement building between historically underrepresented communities.

If you could live in the reality of your favorite childhood cartoon, which show would you choose?

Dragon Tales

Why is the DIAL internship important to you at this time in your life?

Throughout my college experience and all the various internships I've had the opportunity to work in, I've been able to learn the ins and outs of professionalism and workplace environments/etiquette until they are like second nature to me. However, I've never been able to learn these ins and outs within a model that prioritizes equity and inclusion foremost, that recognizes the experiences of historically underrepresented demographics. From day 1, DIAL has served as a model of how a workplace built on equity and inclusion operates, teaching me to never expect anything less and inspiring me to advocate for myself and my peers. 

What have you learned since being at your work site? Have you had any challenges or breakthroughs?

Prior to my internship with NEW INC, I always saw my future as a linear path towards one field/discipline. However, no matter what job or career I entertained in my head, I never felt like all my passions were truly reflected. My time with NEW INC, a cultural incubator that aims to produce social impact projects that blend the intersections of art/tech/design, has taught me the value in being anti-disciplinary. I've had the opportunity to witness some of the most innovative and unique ideas at NEW INC be crafted into a tangible project.

How has it been living in New York City? Has being in NYC offered you new insight on your personal, professional or academic ambitions?

My experience in New York City has only made me fall in love with it more. As a Texas transplant, the lifestyle change was jarring (I somehow still can't fully get a handle of the MTA) but everyone is a dreamer here and that resonates with me at my core. I've been able to speak and learn from some of the most talented and driven curators, professors, designers, and more. The values I've taken away from this city are timeless ones.

Most memorable moment since DIAL started?

Going to Rockaway Beach with the DIAL cohort <3

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