Name: Kelly
Senior
Major: Flute Performance
Minor: Arts Administration
CFS Program: Field Studies in Humanities

This quarter, I am working at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. The Auditorium Theatre is a National Historic Landmark and presents a variety of programming throughout its season, including hosting the Joffrey Ballet as a resident company. My internship is in Arts Administration, working specifically in the Development department. As an intern, I have already had the opportunity to help with final details as well as attend two of the Auditorium’s major annual donor events, The Devil’s Ball and the Gala. Both were amazing experiences where I got to learn more about running an event specifically geared toward donors. I am also working on other meaningful projects for the Auditorium–I have been completing research and compiling information that will hopefully help the Theatre create new development initiatives even after my internship is completed.

I was surprised to see how well my internship correlated with my Chicago Field Studies in the Humanities class. The Auditorium Theatre is an integral part of Chicago’s make-up, being one of the oldest buildings in the city. We spent one class discussion talking about Chicago culture, and it was so interesting for me to be able to relate it to the Auditorium Theatre’s history and evolution over the past 124 years. In my class, we have raised tough questions that don’t have simple answers. We are challenged to clarify our own assumptions and opinions and find a way to justify them. In order to raise funding for arts organizations, it is necessary to have the ability to explain why the arts or a particular organization are essential. By participating in these thought-provoking discussions, I am preparing myself for the difficult issues that I will face working as a professional in the Arts Administration field.