The Arts Manager

Profession:
Manager of Authors at Harbourfront Centre, which presents literary events weekly throughout the year as well as the International Festival of Authors (IFOA), YoungIFOA, ALOUD: a Celebration for Young Readers, and Forest of Reading Festival of Trees.

Please explain what you do in your job?
I am responsible for managing authors at Harbourfront Centre and its various events and festivals as well as the supervision of seven staff. Areas that I oversee include: grants, finances, event co-ordination, communications (marketing and publicity), sponsorship and development, and board relations. I also work closely with our various partners including publishers, literary and publishing associations, consulates, embassies and volunteers.

List of accomplishments:
Currently I am working on plans for the 35th season of Authors at Harbourfront Centre and the 30th anniversary of the International Festival of Authors.

How do you measure success in your chosen career?
A few years ago I was awarded the Arbor Award from the University of Toronto. It was a great honour to be recognized for my work mentoring students in the Arts Management field. However, the fact that I love what I do and the people I work with is the most significant form of measurement of success for me.

I have been very fortunate to have been able to work on wonderful projects with unique individuals. In the past, I have worked with the Swedish Embassy to bring the Queen of Sweden to Canada to participate at an event during the International Festival of Authors. I have also worked on both the events that presented J.K. Rowling in Toronto, again as part of the IFPA. Most recently I visited Amsterdam to present Canadian authors to a Dutch audience as part of the IFOA.

To work for a world renowned festival that the Los Angeles Times called "the Olympics of literature" and the Globe and Mail recently referred to as "a writer's festival so good they ought to have named it twice," makes me very proud.

When did you decide this is what you want to do for a living and what was the 'moment'?
I have always loved the arts. As a young child my parents would take me to various performances and I would always be in awe of the magic. I always wanted to make the magic happen. So in university when I saw the unique Arts Management programme offered at the University of Toronto was my moment. Combining the arts with management courses made sense to me.

What did you have to do in order to get involved with this profession?
I attended the University of Toronto's Co-operative Programme in Arts Management. It was unique in that it offered a chance to experience work placements in my chosen field while studying. My internships included such placements as the Royal Ontario Museum and the Ontario Ministry of Culture. These internships provided me with great opportunities to learn and add to my academic studies.

I then went on to work in performing arts events, dance and contemporary arts. I am now fortunate to be in position where I am able to bring interns and volunteers from various university and college arts management programmes and provide them with what I hope is a wonderful intern opportunity.

Pros and cons of this job?
Pros: The variety of people and events. While predominantly in an office environment, we also work in theatres.
Cons: During festivals or events one should be prepared for the long hours, days and sometimes weeks. You have to put in a lot of time organizing events prior to and during the events.

Skills required for this job?
You must love to work with people and have great organizational and planning skills.

What can youth expect if they want to pursue this job?
Multi-tasking! This is especially true during events and festivals when you will be placed in different scenarios and asked to perform different duties as required.

Percentage of people who actually succeed in this field:
Overall, the majority of graduates from this program stay in this field. There are currently multiple graduates from the University of Toronto Arts Management Programme and Humber College Arts Management Programme employed by various departments at Harbourfront Centre.

Salary range:
An intern can expect to start at minimum wage or even on a volunteer basis to get the experience necessary. The starting salary of a contract position is about $25,000. From there it depends on the organization, position, etc.

Advice to youth who are thinking about pursuing this field:
Be passionate about what you want to do and it will show in your work. Volunteering is also key factor. If you are interested in working at a specific organization after graduating, put in volunteer hours.

This way you will already have a foot in the door and they already know your capabilities.